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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of coral communities in the Florida Keys Reef Tract from 2016-05-01 to 2016-12-15 (NCEI Accession 0169401)

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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) and National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS).
  • Cite as: NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS); Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC); University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (UM-RSMAS); Nova Southeastern University (NSU); Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC); Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP); National Park Service (NPS); Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS); Broward and Miami-Dade counties (2018). National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of coral communities in the Florida Keys Reef Tract from 2016-05-01 to 2016-12-15 (NCEI Accession 0169401). https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0169401. 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:0169401
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  • CRCP FL Inverts ESA Corals (download)
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  • CRCP FL Coral Demographics (download)
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  • CRCP FL Benthic Cover (download)
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Distribution Formats
  • Originator data format
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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 2016-05-01 to 2016-12-15
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -83.1026
East: -80.0001
South: 24.4208
North: 27.1403
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2018-03-28
  • revision: 2018-10-25
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
Supplemental Information
Weighted rugosity and mean rugosity in this accession package were calculated as follows:

Weighted rugosity:
[(n<20*0.15) + (n20-50*0.35) + (n50-100*0.75) + (n100-150*1.25) + (n150-200*1.75) + (n>200*2)] ÷ ntotal
where n is the number of points, and the subscripts represent the category the measurement fell in (i.e. 15 cm measurement would fall in n<20). For example, n<20 would be the number of rugosity measurements less than 20 cm along the transect. n total = the total number of rugosity points collected at the site.
the superscripts represent the mid-points of the bin categories in meters

Mean rugosity:
(R1 + R2 + R3 + R4 + R5 + R6 + R7 +R8 + R9 + R10 + R11 + R12 + R13 + R14 + R15) ÷ n points
where R represents the absolute rugosity measurement (in meters)
the subscript represents the meter mark in points = the total number of rugosity points collected. These allows for a mean calculation even when less than 15 measurements are reported along a transect.

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) details a long-term approach to provide an ecosystem perspective via monitoring climate, fish, benthic, and socioeconomic variables in a consistent and integrated manner. The NCRMP is intended to coordinate various Coral Reef Conservation Coral Reef Program (CRCP) biological, physical, and human dimensions activities into a cohesive NOAA-wide effort. Through the implementation of the NCRMP, NOAA will be able to clearly and concisely communicate results of national-scale monitoring to national, state, and territorial policy makers, resource managers, and the public on a periodic basis.
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 (NCCOS); Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC); University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (UM-RSMAS); Nova Southeastern University (NSU); Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC); Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP); National Park Service (NPS); Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS); Broward and Miami-Dade counties (2018). National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of coral communities in the Florida Keys Reef Tract from 2016-05-01 to 2016-12-15 (NCEI Accession 0169401). https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0169401. 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
Contributors
Resource Providers
Points of Contact
  • Shay Viehman
Publishers
Acknowledgments
  • Funding Agency: NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program
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 > Zoology > Corals
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > ESA Listed Species
  • 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 > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Invertebrates > Macroinvertebrates
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Contributing Organizations
  • SEFSC
  • Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
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)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Florida Reef Tract (26N080W0007)
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
Project keywords NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS CRCP Project
  • 743
  • National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP)
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Keywords Send2NCEI Submission Package ID
  • 21CX93
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS); Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC); University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (UM-RSMAS); Nova Southeastern University (NSU); Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC); Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP); National Park Service (NPS); Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS); Broward and Miami-Dade counties (2018). National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of coral communities in the Florida Keys Reef Tract from 2016-05-01 to 2016-12-15 (NCEI Accession 0169401). https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0169401. 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].
  • Please reference NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC when utilizing these data in a report or peer reviewed publication. Additionally, knowledge of how this dataset has been of use and which organizations are utilizing it is of great benefit for ensuring this information continues to meet the needs of the management and research communities. Therefore, it is requested but not mandatory, that any user of this data supply this information to the Project Co- Invstigator (Atlantic/Caribbean): Matthew Johnson (matthew.johnson@noaa.gov)
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
  • 2018-03-28T22:36:23Z - NCEI Accession 0169401 v1.1 was published.
  • 2018-10-25T22:43:32Z - NCEI Accession 0169401 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: number and length; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Diver Visual Survey; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Line point intercept for benthic cover and belt transect for invertebrate count and ESA presence/absence; Data Quality Method: All data field undergo extensive QA/QC procedures.
  • Parameter or Variable: CORAL - COLONY SIZE (measured); Units: length, width, height; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Diver Visual measurement; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Coral demographic belt transect (10x1) for coral community size/structure, as well as bleaching and disease prevelance; Data Quality Method: All data field undergo extensive QA/QC procedures.
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • swimmer/diver
  • visual observation
Last Modified: 2024-09-22T17:00:40Z
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