Identification_Information: 
  Citation: 
    Citation_Information: 
      Originator: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA)/National Ocean Service (NOS)/National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)/Center for Coastal Ocean Science (CCMA)/Biogeography Team
      Publication_Date: 200107
      Title: St. John, USVI Habitat Assessment and Monitoring Data (2001 - Present)
      Publication_Information: 
        Publication_Place: Silver Spring, MD
        Publisher: NOAA's Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)
      Online_Linkage: http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/ecosystems/coralreef/reef_fish.html
  Description: 
    Abstract: This fish database is the result of a mutlifaceted effort described below.
      The intent of this work is five fold: 1) To spatially characterize and monitor the distribution, abundance,
      and size of both reef fishes and macro-invertebrates (conch, lobster, Diadema); 2) To relate this information to
      in-situ data collected on water quality and associated habitat parameters; 3) To use this information to establish the
      knowledge base necessary for enacting management decisions in a spatial setting; 4) To establish the efficacy of those
      management decisions; and 5) To work with the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program to develop data collection
      standards and easily implemented methodologies for transference to other agencies and to work toward standardizing
      data collection throughout the US states and territories.  Toward this end, the Center for Coastal Monitoring and
      Assessment's Biogeography Team (BT) has been conducting research in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands since 2000
      and 2001, respectively.  It is critical, with recent changes in management at both locations (e.g. implementation of
      MPAs) as well as proposed changes (e.g. zoning to manage multiple human uses) that action is taken now to accurately
      describe and characterize the fish/macro-invertebrate populations in these areas.  It is also important that BT work
      closely with the individuals responsible for recommending and implementing these management strategies.  Recognizing
      this, BT has been collaborating with partners at the University of Puerto Rico, National Park Service, US Geological
      Survey and the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
      To quantify patterns of spatial distribution and make meaningful interpretations, we must first have knowledge of the
      underlying variables determining species distribution.  The basis for this work therefore, is the nearshore benthic
      habitats maps (less than 100 ft depth) created by NOAA's Biogeography Program in 2001 and NOS' bathymetry models.
      Using ArcView GIS software, the digitized habitat maps are stratified to select sampling stations.  Sites are randomly
      selected within these strata to ensure coverage of the entire study region and not just a particular reef or seagrass
      area.  At each site, fish, macro-invertebrates, and associated water quality and habitat information is then quantified
      following standardized protocols.  By relating the data collected in the field back to the habitat maps and bathymetric
      models, BT is able to model and map species level and community level information.  These protocols are standardized
      throughout the US Caribbean to enable quantification and comparison of reef fish abundance and distribution trends
      between locations.  Armed with the knowledge of where "hot spots" of species richness and diversity are likely to
      occur in the seascape, the BT is in a unique position to answer questions about the efficacy of marine zoning
      strategies (e.g. placement of no fishing, anchoring, or snorkeling locations), and what locations are most suitable
      for establishing MPAs.  Knowledge of the current status of fish/macro-invertebrate communities coupled with longer
      term monitoring will enable evaluation of management efficacy, thus it is essential to future management actions.
    Purpose: 1) To spatially characterize and monitor the distribution, abundance, and size of both reef fishes and
      macro-invertebrates (conch, lobster, Diadema); 2) To relate this information to in-situ data collected on water
      quality and associated habitat parameters; 3) To use this information to establish the knowledge base necessary for
      enacting management decisions in a spatial setting; 4) To establish the efficacy of those management decisions; and
      5) To work with the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program to develop data collection standards and easily implemented
      methodologies for transference to other agencies and to work toward standardizing data collection throughout the US
      states and territories.
    Supplemental_Information: This work is being conducted in collaboration with the University of Puerto Rico, National
      Park Service, US Geological Survey, and the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources.
  Time_Period_of_Content: 
    Time_Period_Information: 
      Range_of_Dates/Times: 
        Beginning_Date: 200107
        Ending_Date: Present
    Currentness_Reference: Ground Condition
  Status: 
    Progress: In Work
    Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: once per year
  Spatial_Domain: 
    Bounding_Coordinates: 
      West_Bounding_Coordinate: -64.84
      East_Bounding_Coordinate: -64.66
      North_Bounding_Coordinate: 18.38
      South_Bounding_Coordinate: 18.23
  Keywords: 
    Theme: 
      Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus
      Theme_Keyword: Numeric Data Sets > Biology
    Theme: 
      Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Baseline studies
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Benthos analysis
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Benthos analysis > Transect monitoring
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Benthos analysis > Transect monitoring > Belt transect
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Benthos analysis > Quadrat monitoring
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Benthos analysis > Quadrat monitoring > In situ
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Rapid assessment studies
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Monitoring and assessment
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > In situ biological
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Invertebrates > Census > Population density
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Invertebrates > Macroinvertebrates
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Mangroves > Monitoring > In situ
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Algal cover
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Calcareous macroalgae
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Coralline algae
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Crustose coralline algae
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Encrusting macroalgae
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Fleshy macroalgae
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Turf algae
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology > Biodiversity
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology > Coral cover
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology > Hard coral cover
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology > Hard coral cover Live percentage
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology > Hard coral cover Dead percentage
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology > Octocoral cover
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology > Rugosity
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology > Biodiversity
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology > Habitats
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Coral Diseases
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Reef Habitat > Description
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Benthic Habitat
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Plants > Seagrass
      Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Coral Diseases > Bleaching
    Theme: 
      Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115:2003 MD_TopicCategoryCode
      Theme_Keyword: biota
      Theme_Keyword: 002
      Theme_Keyword: environment
      Theme_Keyword: 007
      Theme_Keyword: oceans
      Theme_Keyword: 014
    Place: 
      Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Place Thesaurus
      Place_Keyword: COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > US Virgin Islands > St. John > St. John (18N064W0011)
      Place_Keyword: OCEAN BASIN > Atlantic Ocean > Caribbean Sea > Virgin Islands > Virgin Islands > St. John > (18N064W0011)
  Access_Constraints: None
  Use_Constraints: Please reference NOAA/NCCOS/CCMA/Biogeography Team when utilizing this 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 Program Manager: Chris Caldow (email: chris.caldow@noaa.gov).
  Point_of_Contact: 
    Contact_Information: 
      Contact_Organization_Primary: 
        Contact_Organization: NOAA/NCCOS/CCMA/Biogeography Team
      Contact_Position: Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring Project Manager
      Contact_Address: 
        Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address
        Address: 1305 East-West Hwy. (SSMC4, N/SCI-1)
        City: Silver Spring
        State_or_Province: MD
        Postal_Code: 20910
        Country: USA
      Contact_Voice_Telephone: 301-713-3028
      Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: chris.caldow@noaa.gov
      Hours_of_Service: 9:00 - 5:00
  Data_Set_Credit: This is a cooperative effort between NOAA's Biogeography Team and the University of Puerto Rico
Data_Quality_Information: 
  Logical_Consistency_Report: Not applicable
  Completeness_Report: This data consists of multiple fish community surveys across all nearshore marine habitats around
    St. John, US Virgin Islands.  Sites were randomly selected and stratified across by habitat types using NOAA's benthic
    habitat maps of St. John, USVI.
  Lineage: 
    Process_Step: 
      Process_Description: Site selection begins by stratifying NOAA's nearshore benthic habitat maps into predetermined
        habitat strata. Utilizing ArcGIS, sites are then randomly selected within strata throughout the region. Using a
        handheld GPS unit, the boat captain navigates to the previously selected sites.  A weighted buoy is dropped to mark
        any site where "live boating" is necessary.  Once on site, divers are deployed and maintain contact with each other
        throughout the entire census.  One diver (hereafter the habitat diver) is responsible for collecting data taking
        detailed (microscale) habitat measurements along a 25x4-m belt transect. The habitat diver places a 1 m2 quadrat
        divided into 100 (10 x 10cm) smaller squares (1 square = 1 % cover or 100cm2) at 5 separate positions.  Each
        position is randomly chosen before entering the water such that there is one random point within every 5 m interval
        along the transect.  Percent cover is obtained as if looking at the quadrat in a two dimensional plane (i.e. a
        photograph) vs. three dimensions where percent cover could add up to greater than 100%.
        Data are collected on the following:
        1)	Logistic information - (diver name, dive buddy, date, time of survey, site code, and meter #'s at which the
        quadrat is placed).
        2)	Habitat structure - to characterize the benthic habitats of the dive site, the habitat diver first categorize
        the habitat structure of the site (e.g., colonized hardbottom, spur & groove, patch reef, pavement). This is
        done based on the hierarchical classification used in the benthic habitat maps (Kendall et al. 2001). The
        habitat diver must identify the broader categories (colonized or uncolonized hardbottom) and, if possible,
        also identify the more detailed subclasses. The habitat category to which a site is assigned should be made
        independently of the map so that in-situ data can be used for map validation.
        3)	Abiotic footprint - defined as the percent cover (to the nearest 1%) of sand, rubble, hard bottom, fine
        sediments, and other non-living bottom types within a 1 m2 quadrat. Rubble refers to large or small rocks
        and coral fragments that are moveable; immovable rocks are considered hard bottom.  The percent cover given
        as a part of the abiotic footprint should total 100%.  In a seagrass area for example, despite the fact that
        seagrass may provide 50% cover the underlying substrate is 100% sand so this is what is recorded.
        To estimate % cover, the habitat diver first positions the quadrat at the chosen meter mark along the
        transect tape. If the meter mark is an odd number, then the quadrat is placed on left side of the tape; if
        even, it is placed on the right. Next, the habitat diver lays the quadrat along the substrate (regardless
        of the slope) and estimates % cover based on a two-dimensional (planar) view (e.g. if bottom is sloping,
        the quadrat is not held horizontally). Also, the diver should try to use the same planar view for all
        estimates of % cover. Percent abiotic cover data are reported for each site as an average of 5 random
        quadrat measurements.
        4)	Biotic footprint - defined as the percent cover (to the nearest 0.1%) of algae, seagrass, live corals,
        sponges, gorgonians, and other biota within a 1 m2 quadrat. The remaining cover is recorded as bare
        substrate to bring the total to 100%.  Again, the diver must use a planar view to estimate % cover of the
        biota. Seagrasses and gorgonians should not be stacked upright. For example, e.g., if a single seagrass
        blade crosses 10 squares, then total seagrass coverage should be the sum of the area taken up by that blade
        in all 10 squares instead of the area covered if the blade was held upright. Species covering less than
        0.1% of the area are not recorded. Taxa are identified to the lowest level possible (seagrass-species,
        algae-genus, sponge-sponge, stony coral-species, and gorgonians-morphological group).
        When estimating percent cover, it is important to realize there is a balance between precision and time.
        For stony corals, the approximate area covered by living coral tissue is recorded. Coral skeleton (without
        living tissue) is usually categorized as turf algae or uncolonized substrate. Dead coral refers to coral
        skeleton that has recently lost living tissue because of disease or damage, and has not yet been colonized by
        turf algae. Turf algae include a mix of short (less than 1cm high) algae that colonizes dead coral substrate.
        Percent abiotic cover data are reported for each site as an average of 5 random quadrat measurements.
        5)	Shelter (fish refuge) characteristics - the number of holes smaller or greater than 15cm in the largest
        dimension. Hole-width or length is visually estimated. In rubble habitat with many holes (i.e. more than 40),
        haphazardly sub-sample the quadrat by counting the number of holes in three, 4cm squares (4 % of the
        quadrat) and then extrapolating to the entire 1m quadrat.  Holes do not have to be fully enclosed; rather
        this is an estimate of places where fish might find refuge, so a ledge can suffice. The number of small and
        large holes are reported as an average of 5 quadrat measurements.
        6)	Transect depth profile - the depth at each quadrat position. Depth is measured with a digital depth gauge
        to the nearest 1 ft. Depth data are reported as an average of 5 quadrat measurements.
        7)	Maximum canopy height - for each biota type, height of both hard (e.g., corals) and soft (e.g., gorgonians,
        seagrass, algae) structure is recorded to the nearest 10cm. Canopy height is reported as an average of 5
        quadrat measurements.
        8)	Rugosity - measured by placing a 6-m chain at two randomly selected positions along the 25-m belt transect.
        The chain is placed such that it follows the substrate's relief along the centerline of the belt transect.
        Two divers measure the straight-line horizontal distance covered by the chain (Figure 2).  The chain is
        placed on top of any hard substrate encountered, but not on top of soft corals or sponges since we are
        measuring hard bottom rugosity. Data on rugosity are collected for reef sites only. Rugosity measurements
        typically are made by the point-count and belt-transect divers while awaiting the completion of other
        benthic habitat measurements by the habitat diver. Data on rugosity are reported as an average of two
        measurements along each transect.
        9)	Proximity of structure - on seagrass and sand sites, the habitat diver records the absence or presence of
        reef or hard structure within 3m of the belt transect.  A score of zero (0) indicates that no reef or other
        hard structure is present; one (1) indicates that a reef or hard structure smaller than 4m2 is present; and
        (2) indicates that a reef or hard structure larger than 4m2 is present. The point-count diver also uses this
        scoring system to record the absence, presence, and proximity of reef or hard structures within their
        cylinder.
        10)	Abundance of queen conchs (Strombus gigas) - conch encountered within the 25x4m belt transect are enumerated.
        The maturity of each conch is determined by the presence or absence of a flared lip and labeled mature or
        immature, respectively. There is no active searching for conch.
        11)	Abundance of spiny lobsters (Panilaurus argus) - measured by counting the number of lobsters encountered
        within the 25x4m belt transect. No measurements are taken. There is no active searching for lobster.
        12)     Abundance of long-spined urchins (Diadema antillarum)- measured by counting the number of urchins encountered
        within the 25x4m belt transect. No measurements are taken.  There is no active searching for Diadema.
        13)	Photography - the point count diver will take photos to maintain an anecdotal and permanent visual
        description of the sites that were sampled.
        Data Caveats: Over time, some changes were made to the stratified random site selection process as follows:
        1) Habitat strata initially consisted of hard bottom, sand, and seagrass.  Sand and seagrass strata were subsequently
        combined into one soft bottom strata at all three locations (Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and St. John).  This
        action was taken after the February 2002 mission to Puerto Rico.  In Puerto Rico, mangroves are sampled in
        addition to the above strata.  2) In addition to the habitat strata, Puerto Rico originally contained three
        strata representing levels of protection from waves and currents.  These strata were the Bank Shelf, Outer
        Lagoon and Inner Lagoon.  This was changed beginning with the December 2002 mission to simply Protected and
        Unprotected.  3) A small subset of sites was resampled during each mission through June 2002 in Puerto Rico
        and October 2002 in St. Croix.  These station names contain the letter 'P' indicating they are permanent
        stations.  4) During the first mission to St. John samples were also stratified by depth (less than or equal
        to 40 ft or greater than 40 ft).  5) The sample area in St. Croix has increased over time.  Initially, samples
        were collected within historic Buck Island National Monument boundaries as well as outside up to a distance of
        0.5 km from those boundaries.  In February 2002 the sampling effort was increased to include the entire
        expanded monument boundaries.  Finally in April 2003 the effort was increased again to include areas outside
        of the Monument for control sites.  This area is now almost entirely enclosed within the East End Marine Park
        of St. Croix.  6) The habitat map utilized to stratify the samples in St. Croix was changed from the original
        habitat map created with a 1 acre minimum mapping unit to one with a 100m2 minimum mapping unit beginning with
        the April 2003 mission.
        Although the 1m-square-quadrat remained the basic method of choice for habitat data collection, overtime,
        changes in data collection methods were made for some habitat variables and several additional variables were
        added. These changes were deemed necessary to capture more precise information and as many variables as
        possible to explain better the observed variability in reef fish assemblage metrics. Detailed information on
        all changes to the protocols for collecting habitat data in Puerto Rico can be found at:
        http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/bpdm_web/metadata/stj_hab_metadata_table.pdf
      Process_Date: 200107
Spatial_Reference_Information: 
  Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition: 
    Geographic: 
      Latitude_Resolution: 0.00001
      Longitude_Resolution: 0.00001
      Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal Degrees
Entity_and_Attribute_Information: 
  Overview_Description: 
    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview: We supply percent cover, relative abundance, size, and composition of benthic communities
      at the lowest possible taxonomic level.  This information is collected across all nearshore habitat types.  In addition,
      we provide photographs of many of the taxa.  For specific information please see the data dictionary available on the
      database website.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: NOAA/NCCOS/CCMA/Biogeography Team
Distribution_Information: 
  Distributor: 
    Contact_Information: 
      Contact_Organization_Primary: 
        Contact_Organization: NOAA/NCCOS/CCMA/Biogeography Team
      Contact_Position: Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring Database Manager
      Contact_Address: 
        Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address
        Address: 1305 East-West Hwy. (SSMC4, N/SCI-1)
        City: Silver Spring
        State_or_Province: MD
        Postal_Code: 20910
        Country: USA
      Contact_Voice_Telephone: 301-713-3028
      Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: tom.mcgrath@noaa.gov
      Hours_of_Service: 9:00 - 5:00
  Resource_Description: Downloadable data
  Distribution_Liability: These data were prepared by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States
    Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, make any warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any
    legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product,
    or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference therein to any
    specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily
    constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof.
    Any views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any
    agency thereof. Although all data have been used by NOAA, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by NOAA as to the
    accuracy of the data and/or related materials. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no
    responsibility is assumed by NOAA in the use of these data or related materials.
  Standard_Order_Process: 
    Digital_Form: 
      Digital_Transfer_Information: 
        Format_Name: tab delimited text file
      Digital_Transfer_Option: 
        Online_Option: 
          Computer_Contact_Information: 
            Network_Address: 
              Network_Resource_Name: http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/biogeo_public/query_habitat.aspx
    Fees: None
    Ordering_Instructions: Please contact Chris Caldow (chris.caldow@noaa.gov)
Metadata_Reference_Information: 
  Metadata_Date: 20051214
  Metadata_Contact: 
    Contact_Information: 
      Contact_Organization_Primary: 
        Contact_Organization: NOAA/NCCOS/CCMA/Biogeography Team
      Contact_Position: Tropical Ecosystem Monitoring and Assessment Project Manager
      Contact_Address: 
        Address_Type: Mailing and Physical Address
        Address: 1305 East-West Hwy. (SSMC4, N/SCI-1)
        City: Silver Spring
        State_or_Province: MD
        Postal_Code: 20910
        Country: USA
      Contact_Voice_Telephone: 301-713-3028
      Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: chris.caldow@noaa.gov
      Hours_of_Service: 9:00 - 5:00
  Metadata_Standard_Name: Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
  Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998

