Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Benthic photoquadrat imagery and benthic cover data collected in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef in American Samoa from 2024-11-11 to 2024-11-21 (NCEI Accession 0308219)

Preview graphic

This data package includes benthic imagery, raw benthic cover, mean benthic cover, and mean macroalgae cover data of Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef in American Samoa in 2024, produced from the benthic imagery analysis performed by the Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) of the Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) and funded by the Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP). Benthic imagery was collected at 20 randomly-selected sites during coral demographic surveys by the NOAA ESD during the 2024 fly-in mission to American Samoa (MP2502). After processing and sorting site photos, imagery was qualitatively analyzed using the web-based CoralNet image annotation tool. CoralNet projects random points on each image, and the benthic elements falling directly underneath each point are identified by trained scientists.

Data from benthic surveys of Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef establishes a comprehensive biological baseline for land-based sources of pollution impacts on benthic composition and coral demography. These efforts feed into the higher-level CRCP objectives by establishing an in-situ tracking system to assess the effects of management and mitigation strategies and activities in the target watersheds to reduce land-based sources of pollution impacts on coral reefs.

This data was funded by CRCP Project #31454 titled "Develop monitoring capacity of American Samoan jurisdictional partners and observing LBSP impacts on coral reefs".

Dataset Citation

Cite as: Ecosystem Sciences Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (2025). Benthic photoquadrat imagery and benthic cover data collected in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef in American Samoa from 2024-11-11 to 2024-11-21 (NCEI Accession 0308219). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/z3ae-gw83. Accessed [date].

Dataset Identifiers

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

gov.noaa.nodc:0308219

Full Text · XML

Download Data	HTTPS (download) Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download. FTP (download) These data are available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is no longer supported by most internet browsers. You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP).
Distribution Formats	CSV JPEG
Ordering Instructions	Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
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	2024-11-11 to 2024-11-21
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	West: -170.7107 East: -170.6999 South: -14.32444 North: -14.3178
Spatial Coverage Map

General Documentation

NCEI Dataset Landing Page
Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links.
Descriptive Information
Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links.

Associated Resources

Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 2025: Benthic photoquadrat imagery and benthic cover data collected in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef in American Samoa from 2024-11-11 to 2024-11-21
- https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/74828
  InPort Metadata Record
Lamirand M, Lozada-Misa P, Vargas-Ángel B, Schumacher BD, Winston M. 2022. Analysis of benthic survey images via CoralNet : a summary of standard operating procedures and guidelines (2022 update). PIFSC Administrative Report, H-22-03, 129 p. https://doi.org/10.25923/nhx2-6j45
- https://doi.org/10.25923/nhx2-6j45
  Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center administrative report
Lozada-Misa P, Schumacher BD, Vargas-Ángel B. 2017. Analysis of benthic survey images via CoralNet : a summary of standard operating procedures and guidelines. Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, PIFSC Administrative Report, H-17-02, 169 p. https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/AR-PIFSC-H-17-02
- https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/AR-PIFSC-H-17-02
  Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center administrative report

Publication Dates	publication: 2025-09-26 creation: 2025-09-22
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
Purpose	The focal point of this project was to establish a biological, water quality, and environmental conditions baseline for Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef. This work was aimed at identifying measurable spatial differences in the structure and composition of the benthic and coral community at both Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef that can be explained by measurable spatial patterns of water quality (nutrients and sediments) and environmental conditions (temperature, salinity, pH). This work is of fundamental importance for the development of future watershed management plans in Nu'uuli and will enable Federal and jurisdictional resource managers to more effectively assess the effectiveness of watershed management actions reducing land-based pollution and impacts to the adjacent coral reef ecosystems.
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: Ecosystem Sciences Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (2025). Benthic photoquadrat imagery and benthic cover data collected in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef in American Samoa from 2024-11-11 to 2024-11-21 (NCEI Accession 0308219). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/z3ae-gw83. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors	Ecosystem Sciences Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
Principal Investigators	Joy Smith NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division
Collaborators	Juliette Verstaen NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division
Contributors	Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/PIFSC)
Resource Providers	Lori Luers NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/PIFSC)
Points of Contact	Lori Luers NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division
Publishers	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Acknowledgments	Funding Agency: Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) Funding Agency: NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/PIFSC)

Theme keywords	NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS BENTHIC COMMUNITIES BENTHIC SPECIES BENTHIC SPECIES - TAXA IDENTITIES biological data CORAL CORAL - SPECIES IDENTIFICATION HABITAT - BENTHIC INVERTEBRATE SPECIES MACROALGAE PHOTOQUADRAT IMAGES REEF AND/OR BOTTOM REGIME - PERCENT COVER NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS imagery in situ laboratory analyses visual estimate WMO_CategoryCode oceanography CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus Numeric Data Sets > Benthic CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Benthic Habitat EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Reef Habitat EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Algal Cover EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Crustose Coralline Algae EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Encrusting Macroalgae EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Fleshy Macroalgae EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Turf Algae EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Baseline studies EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Benthos Analysis EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Benthos Analysis > Transect Monitoring EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Benthos Analysis > Transect Monitoring > Belt Transect EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Photographic Analysis EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Benthic Biology EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Coral Cover EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Hard Coral Cover EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Coral Communities EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Invertebrates Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/INVERTEBRATES EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > PLANTS > MACROALGAE (SEAWEEDS) EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > BENTHIC EARTH SCIENCE > SOLID EARTH > GEOMORPHIC LANDFORMS/PROCESSES > COASTAL LANDFORMS > CORAL REEFS EARTH SCIENCE > SPECTRAL/ENGINEERING > VISIBLE WAVELENGTHS > VISIBLE IMAGERY Provider Keywords LBSP land-based source pollution
Data Center keywords	NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Coral Reef Ecosystem Program NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Contributing Data Centers ARP Archipelagic Research Program ESD Ecosystem Sciences Division PIFSC Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords DOC/NOAA/NMFS > National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Instrument keywords	NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS camera photograph visual estimate Provider Instruments CoralNet Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords CAMERA > CAMERA VISUAL OBSERVATIONS > VISUAL OBSERVATIONS
Place keywords	NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS South Pacific Ocean CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > Tutuila Island > Nu'uuli (14S170W0037) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Tutuila Island > Nu'uuli (14S170W0037) Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN Provider Place Names American Samoa Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon
Project keywords	NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) CORAL REEF STUDIES CRCP Project 31454 Develop monitoring capacity of American Samoan jurisdictional partners and observing LBSP impacts on coral reefs
Keywords	NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 0308219
Keywords	Send2NCEI Submission Package ID 9DJBP9

Use Constraints	Cite as: Ecosystem Sciences Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (2025). Benthic photoquadrat imagery and benthic cover data collected in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef in American Samoa from 2024-11-11 to 2024-11-21 (NCEI Accession 0308219). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/z3ae-gw83. Accessed [date].
Data License	This dataset has been dedicated to the public domain under a Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication. SPDX License: Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal (CC0-1.0)
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	2025-09-26T12:38:23Z - NCEI Accession 0308219 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets	NCEI Accession 0308219 v1.1 NCEI Accession 0308219 v1.1 (download) published 2025-09-26T12:38:23Z

Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps	Parameter or Variable: BENTHIC COMMUNITIES (calculated); Units: unitless; Observation Category: visual estimate; Sampling Instrument: photograph; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Benthic habitat images collected during photoquadrat surveys are quantitatively analyzed visually with the assistance of a web-based, machine-learning, image annotation tool, CoralNet. The robot tool annotates ten random points on each image for a total of 300 points per site, which are then reviewed by human analysts. The human annotations are then used to train the robot. This data is the final form of the robot-assisted human annotations. Taxa identification occurs at three functional group levels of benthic cover. Tier 1 (e.g., hard coral, soft coral, macroalgae, turf algae, etc.), Tier 2 (e.g., Hard Coral = massive, branching, foliose, encrusting, etc.; Macroalgae = upright macroalgae, encrusting macroalgae, bluegreen macroalgae, and Halimeda, etc.), and Tier 3 (e.g., Hard Coral = Astreopora sp, Favia sp, Pocillopora, etc.; Macroalgae = Caulerpa sp, Dictyosphaeria sp, Padina sp, etc.); Data Quality Method: ACCURACY: 1) Each analyst is required to complete training and a calibration exercise prior to image analysis (classification/annotation), and follows the Benthic Image Analysis Standard Operating Procedure (Lozada-Misa et al. 2017). For a calibration exercise, a subset of photos (~100-150) are selected from the production series and CoralNet assigns 10 random fixed points per photo. Each analyst classifies the same set of points for each of the photos used in the calibration exercise. The goal of the calibration exercise is to assess inter-observer variability. 2) Handheld GPS units were used to locate random sites and mark site locations. COMPLETENESS REPORT: The data set derived from the image analysis is as good as the images themselves; poor images with low contrast, inappropriate white balance, or out of focus may have to be discarded. Therefore, benthic estimates for some sites may derive from differing numbers of points between sites. Although the analysis process is statistically robust to allow for differing n (points) between sites, users should be aware of this limitation. Parameter or Variable: BENTHIC SPECIES - TAXA IDENTITIES (measured); Units: unitless; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: photograph; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Taxa identified by annotators using CoralNet. CoralNet projects random points on each image, and the benthic elements falling directly underneath each point are identified by trained scientists. Parameter or Variable: PHOTOQUADRAT IMAGES (measured); Units: none; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: camera; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Benthic imagery was collected at 20 randomly-selected sites during coral demographic surveys.; Data Quality Method: Images were processed and sorted by divers. Imagery was later qualitatively analyzed using the web-based CoralNet image annotation tool.

Lineage information for: dataset

Processing Steps

Parameter or Variable: BENTHIC COMMUNITIES (calculated); Units: unitless; Observation Category: visual estimate; Sampling Instrument: photograph; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Benthic habitat images collected during photoquadrat surveys are quantitatively analyzed visually with the assistance of a web-based, machine-learning, image annotation tool, CoralNet. The robot tool annotates ten random points on each image for a total of 300 points per site, which are then reviewed by human analysts. The human annotations are then used to train the robot. This data is the final form of the robot-assisted human annotations. Taxa identification occurs at three functional group levels of benthic cover. Tier 1 (e.g., hard coral, soft coral, macroalgae, turf algae, etc.), Tier 2 (e.g., Hard Coral = massive, branching, foliose, encrusting, etc.; Macroalgae = upright macroalgae, encrusting macroalgae, bluegreen macroalgae, and Halimeda, etc.), and Tier 3 (e.g., Hard Coral = Astreopora sp, Favia sp, Pocillopora, etc.; Macroalgae = Caulerpa sp, Dictyosphaeria sp, Padina sp, etc.); Data Quality Method: ACCURACY: 1) Each analyst is required to complete training and a calibration exercise prior to image analysis (classification/annotation), and follows the Benthic Image Analysis Standard Operating Procedure (Lozada-Misa et al. 2017). For a calibration exercise, a subset of photos (~100-150) are selected from the production series and CoralNet assigns 10 random fixed points per photo. Each analyst classifies the same set of points for each of the photos used in the calibration exercise. The goal of the calibration exercise is to assess inter-observer variability. 2) Handheld GPS units were used to locate random sites and mark site locations. COMPLETENESS REPORT: The data set derived from the image analysis is as good as the images themselves; poor images with low contrast, inappropriate white balance, or out of focus may have to be discarded. Therefore, benthic estimates for some sites may derive from differing numbers of points between sites. Although the analysis process is statistically robust to allow for differing n (points) between sites, users should be aware of this limitation.
Parameter or Variable: BENTHIC SPECIES - TAXA IDENTITIES (measured); Units: unitless; Observation Category: laboratory analysis; Sampling Instrument: photograph; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Taxa identified by annotators using CoralNet. CoralNet projects random points on each image, and the benthic elements falling directly underneath each point are identified by trained scientists.
Parameter or Variable: PHOTOQUADRAT IMAGES (measured); Units: none; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: camera; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Benthic imagery was collected at 20 randomly-selected sites during coral demographic surveys.; Data Quality Method: Images were processed and sorted by divers. Imagery was later qualitatively analyzed using the web-based CoralNet image annotation tool.

Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument	camera photograph visual estimate

Last Modified: 2025-12-15T17:05:03Z
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov

Benthic photoquadrat imagery and benthic cover data collected in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef in American Samoa from 2024-11-11 to 2024-11-21 (NCEI Accession 0308219)

Follow us

Contact us