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National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of coral reef benthic communities in the Florida Reef Tract from 2024-06-05 to 2024-11-15 (NCEI Accession 0306238)

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The Benthic Assessment (BA) is the first of two benthic surveys conducted in Florida as part of the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). Benthic Assessment provides benthic cover estimates for ecologically important cover types/groups (e.g., macroalgae, turf algae, crustose coralline algae, corals, sponges, sand/sediment, etc.) using a 1-stage stratified random survey design in hardbottom and coral reef habitats less than 30m in depth. The goals of these surveys are to provide: (1) a quantification of percent cover of biotic and abiotic benthic components using a linear point intercept (LPI) method; (2) information on topographic complexity (substratum rugosity) of the survey locations (3) quantitative information on local commercially and ecologically-important macroinvertebrates (Caribbean spiny lobster [Panulirus argus], queen conch [Strombus gigas], long-spined sea urchin [Diadema antillarum]); and (4) presence-absence information for ESA-listed Threatened corals. Surveys are concurrent with and along the same transect with Coral Demographic surveys.

The Coral Demographic method is the second of two benthic surveys conducted along the Florida reef tract as part of the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). The goal of the coral demographic surveys is to collect and report information on species composition, density, size, abundance, and specific parameters of condition (% live vs. dead, bleaching, disease) of non-juvenile scleractinian corals (>4 cm maximum diameter), and of overall species diversity (all corals) using 10m x 1m belt transects in a stratified random sampling design in hardbottom and coral reef habitats less than 30m in depth. Surveys are concurrent with and along the same transect of the Benthic Assessment surveys, including the Line Point-Intercept (LPI) survey.

Data provided in these data sets are from three (3) distinct regions along the Florida reef tract; 1) Dry Tortugas, 2) Florida Keys from Key West north to Miami, and 3) Miami north to Martin County. Lead agencies involved include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Southeast Fisheries Science Center (NOAA Fisheries SEFSC) and National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS).
  • Cite as: NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science; NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (2025). National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of coral reef benthic communities in the Florida Reef Tract from 2024-06-05 to 2024-11-15 (NCEI Accession 0306238). https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0306238. In NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center; NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science. National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of coral reef benthic communities in the Florida Reef Tract. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.7289/v5xw4h4z. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0306238
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Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
+1-301-713-3277
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 2024-06-05 to 2024-11-15
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -83.09766
East: -79.99618
South: 24.43405
North: 27.15846
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of coral reef benthic communities in the Florida Reef Tract
  • NOAA's National Coral Reef Monitoring Program
  • National Coral Reef Monitoring Program Implementation: Biological and Socioeconomic Monitoring
  • Coral Reef Conservation Program (U.S.). (2024). National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) Benthic Community Assessment Survey Field Protocols for U.S. Atlantic: Florida, Flower Garden Banks, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands 2024. Coral Reef Conservation Program (U.S.). https://doi.org/10.25923/e3gf-vk84
  • Coral Reef Conservation Program (U.S.). (2024). National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) Coral Demographics Survey Field Protocols for U.S. Atlantic: Florida, Flower Garden Banks, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands 2024. Coral Reef Conservation Program (U.S.). https://doi.org/10.25923/hgpr-jm80
    • Parent ID (indicates this dataset is related to other data):
    • gov.noaa.nodc:NCRMP-Benthic-Florida
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2025-07-23
  • revision: 2025-09-26
  • creation: 2025-07-16
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed - NCEI Accession 0306238 was revised and a new version of the archival package was published. Updates to existing archival packages may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. The latest version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession. Please see journal.txt in the /about directory for additional details on changes made.
Supplemental Information
In this accession, NCEI has archived multiple versions of these data. The latest (and best) version of these data has the largest version number.
Purpose The National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) uses a long-term, integrated approach to monitor coral reef ecosystems through consistent collection of fish, benthic, socioeconomic and climate data. NCRMP’s main purpose is to serve as a tool for understanding, protecting, and communicating about the health of our nation's coral reefs, which are invaluable for biodiversity, coastal protection, and economic benefits like tourism and fisheries.
Use Limitations
  • accessLevel: Public
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science; NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (2025). National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of coral reef benthic communities in the Florida Reef Tract from 2024-06-05 to 2024-11-15 (NCEI Accession 0306238). https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0306238. In NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center; NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science. National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of coral reef benthic communities in the Florida Reef Tract. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.7289/v5xw4h4z. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
Principal Investigators
Collaborators
Contributors
Resource Providers
Points of Contact
Publishers
Acknowledgments
  • Funding Agency: Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP)
  • Funding Agency: NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)
  • Funding Agency: NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/SEFSC)
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus
  • Numeric Data Sets > Benthic
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Reef Habitat > Description
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Ecological Dynamics > Species Richness
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Coral Diseases > Bleaching
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > ESA Listed Species
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Benthos Analysis > Transect Monitoring > Belt Transect
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Benthos Analysis > Transect Monitoring > Linear Transect (point)
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Coral Colony Size and Condition
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > In Situ Biological
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Scleractinia (stony corals)
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Hard Coral Cover
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Hard Coral Cover Dead percentage
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Hard Coral Cover Live percentage
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Invertebrates > Macroinvertebrates
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords NCCOS Keywords
  • NCCOS Research Data Type > Field Observation
  • NCCOS Research Data Type > Long-term Monitoring
  • NCCOS Research Priority > Marine Spatial Ecology
  • NCCOS Research Topic > Ecological and Biogeographic Assessments
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Contributing Data Centers
  • Broward County
  • Florida Department of Environmental Protection
  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
  • Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
  • Miami-Dade County
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
  • NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center
  • National Park Service
  • Nova Southeastern University
  • US Environmental Protection Agency
  • University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
Platform keywords Provider Platform Names
  • Small Boats
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
Place keywords NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS CoRIS Place Thesaurus
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Florida > Florida Reef Tract (26N080W0007)
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Florida > Monroe County > Dry Tortugas (24N082W0001)
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Florida > Monroe County > Florida Keys (24N081W0007)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Florida Reef Tract (26N080W0007)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Florida Reef Tract > Dry Tortugas > Dry Tortugas (24N082W0001)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Florida Reef Tract > Florida Keys (24N081W0007)
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords NCCOS Location Keywords
  • NCCOS Research Location > U.S. States of America > Florida
  • NCCOS Research Locations > Region > Atlantic Ocean
Provider Place Names
  • Dry Tortugas
  • Florida Keys Reef Tract
  • Miami north to Martin County
Project keywords NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS CRCP Project
  • 743
  • National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP)
Provider Project Names
  • CP Project #743 National Coral Reef Monitoring Plan (NCRMP) Implementation
  • NCCOS Project #180 National Coral Reef Monitoring Program Implementation: Biological and Socioeconomic Monitoring
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Keywords Send2NCEI Submission Package ID
  • 04WM88
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science; NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (2025). National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of coral reef benthic communities in the Florida Reef Tract from 2024-06-05 to 2024-11-15 (NCEI Accession 0306238). https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0306238. In NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center; NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science. National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of coral reef benthic communities in the Florida Reef Tract. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.7289/v5xw4h4z. Accessed [date].
Data License
Access Constraints
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • 2025-07-23T18:53:39Z - NCEI Accession 0306238 v1.1 was published.
  • 2025-09-26T11:52:20Z - NCEI Accession 0306238 was revised and v2.2 was published.
    Rationale: Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession.
Output Datasets
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • Parameter or Variable: CORAL - CENSUS (measured); Units: colony; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: visual observation; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Benthic taxa enumerated using Line Point-Intercept (LPI) Survey Protocol for the U.S. Caribbean and Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (2013; 2015); Data Quality Method: Quality assurance checks for every data sheet and entry into database, as well as analytical checks for using query outputs.
  • Parameter or Variable: BENTHIC SPECIES - TAXA COUNTS (measured); Units: count; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: visual observation; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Benthic taxa enumerated using Line Point-Intercept (LPI) Survey Protocol for the U.S. Caribbean and Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (2013; 2015); Data Quality Method: Quality assurance checks for every data sheet and entry into database, as well as analytical checks for using query outputs.
  • Parameter or Variable: CORAL - SPECIES IDENTIFICATION (measured); Units: presence; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: visual observation; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Presence/absence of ESA-listed and potential ESA coral species using Line Point-Intercept (LPI) Survey Protocol for the U.S. Caribbean and Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (2013; 2015); Data Quality Method: Quality assurance checks for every data sheet and entry into database, as well as analytical checks for using query outputs.
  • Parameter or Variable: BENTHIC SPECIES (measured); Units: count; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: visual observation; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Abundance of Diadema antillarum, Panulirus argus, and Lobatus gigas species using Line Point-Intercept (LPI) Survey Protocol for the U.S. Caribbean and Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (2013; 2015); Data Quality Method: Quality assurance checks for every data sheet and entry into database, as well as analytical checks for using query outputs.
  • Parameter or Variable: CORAL (measured); Units: count; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: visual observation; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Coral colony counts, measurements and condition recorded using Coral Demographic Survey Protocol for the U.S. Caribbean and Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (2013; 2015); Data Quality Method: Quality assurance checks for every data sheet and entry into database, as well as analytical checks for using query outputs.
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • visual observation
Last Modified: 2026-03-17T14:28:40Z
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