gov.noaa.nodc:0169728 eng utf8 dataset NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NOAA Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information custodian 2026-03-17T18:51:41Z ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) Benthic cover derived from line-point intercept (LPI) surveys in Faga'alu, American Samoa from 2012-08-14 to 2012-08-16 (NCEI Accession 0169728) 2018-01-27 publication 2018-01-10 creation NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information gov.noaa.nodc:0169728 NCEI Archive Management System 0169728 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information publisher Troy Kanemura Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) troy.kanemura@noaa.gov http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/cred HTTP Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) website Institution web page information resourceProvider Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/cred HTTP Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) website Institution web page information resourceProvider Bernardo Vargas-Ángel Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) bernardo.vargas-angel@noaa.gov http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/cred HTTP Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) website Institution web page information principalInvestigator Troy Kanemura Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) troy.kanemura@noaa.gov http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/cred HTTP Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) website Institution web page information collaborator Coral Reef Ecosystem Program http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/cred HTTP Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) website Institution web page information author Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center author Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/cred HTTP Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) website Institution web page information contributor tableDigital The data described here were collected in Faga'alu, American Samoa in August 2012 via line-point intercept (LPI) surveys by the NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP). At each survey site, a SCUBA diver quantitatively documented the benthic composition at 20-cm intervals along two 25-m transects for a total of 125 data points per transect. All living benthic elements (e.g., coral, algae, and other sessile invertebrates) were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible. Raw survey data consist of counts of benthic elements, including but not limited to coral, carbonate pavement, sand, rubble, macroalgae, crustose coralline algae, turf algae, as well as other sessile invertebrates along the two transects. The data allows for the assessment and monitoring of community structure and composition, and provide the basis for computing quantitative estimates of benthic cover (%) at higher taxonomic levels like functional group (coral, macroalgae, turf algae) or on a finer taxonomic resolution such as genus level. These data can be accessed online via the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Ocean Archive. Additionally, coral demographic surveys were conducted in 2013 and 2015 and coral surveys in 2012, photoquadrat benthic images were collected in 2012 and 2015, and the 2015 images were analyzed for benthic cover composition (all documented and archived separately). These data are part of a NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) funded project aimed at establishing baseline data for coral demographics and benthic cover and composition via Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) surveys conducted by the NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) at Faga'alu Bay, Tutuila, American Samoa between 2012 and 2015. In August 2012 Faga’alu watershed in American Samoa was adopted by the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Watershed Partnership Initiative as a priority site, with the objective to reduce inputs of land-based sources of pollution to nearby coastal areas and coral reefs within the watershed. As a result, the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) invested in 1) the collection of baseline data for corals in Faga’alu Bay (REA surveys conducted by NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program [CREP]), and 2) the monitoring of sediment loads in Faga’alu Stream to document pre- and post-mitigation levels of sedimentation in the stream and the receiving waters below. Led by the NOAA Office for Coastal Management, the overall goal of this capacity-building CRCP-funded project is to establish and eventually turn over the long-term monitoring to the local partners in the jurisdiction, thereby meeting the goals of the Watershed Partnership Initiative. Funding Agency: NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program completed historicalArchive NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information pointOfContact asNeeded https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/gfx?id=gov.noaa.nodc:0169728 Preview graphic PNG 0169728 NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 2018-01-10 publication BENTHIC SPECIES biological data CORAL CORAL - CENSUS CORAL - SPECIES IDENTIFICATION HABITAT - BENTHIC theme NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS swimmer/diver instrument NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS biological in situ visual observation theme NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS Coral Reef Ecosystem Program dataCentre NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Coral Reef Ecosystem Program dataCentre NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) CORAL REEF STUDIES project NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS South Pacific Ocean place NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS oceanography theme WMO_CategoryCode 2012-09-15 publication CRED CREP Coral Reef Ecosystem Division Coral Reef Ecosystem Program PIFSC Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center dataCentre Contributing Organizations DOC/NOAA/NMFS > National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce dataCentre Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords 2026 revision 23 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian 917 Comprehensive baseline assessment and pilot test of outcome performance measures in Faga'alu Bay, American Samoa project CRCP Project Numeric Data Sets > Benthic theme CoRIS Discovery 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 > 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 > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > OctoCoral Cover theme CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > BENTHIC EARTH SCIENCE > SOLID EARTH > GEOMORPHIC LANDFORMS/PROCESSES > COASTAL LANDFORMS > CORAL REEFS theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords 2026 revision 23 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian LPI Line-point intercept benthic cover theme Provider Keywords COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > Tutuila Island > Faga'alu (14S170W0005) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Pago Pago Harbor > Faga'alu (14S170W0005) place CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN place Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords 2026 revision 23 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian 59HRR9 Send2NCEI Submission Package ID accessLevel: Public otherRestrictions Cite as: Coral Reef Ecosystem Program; Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (2018). Benthic cover derived from line-point intercept (LPI) surveys in Faga'alu, American Samoa from 2012-08-14 to 2012-08-16 (NCEI Accession 0169728). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0169728. Accessed [date]. 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. otherRestrictions 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. otherRestrictions NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) Data Sharing Recommendations, version 9.0 updated August 12, 2015: CREP welcomes the opportunity to collaborate on research issues contributing to the scientific basis for better management of marine ecosystems. CREP has a very diverse set of field activities that generates large volumes of data using an array of data collection protocols. The following recommendations are for your consideration as you use this data: 1) Data analyses should take all field exigencies into account. The most effective way to do this would be active collaboration with CREP principal investigators. 2) In all presentations, product releases, or publications using data generated by CREP, proper acknowledgement of both CREP and the individuals responsible for data collection is expected. Citing the DOI (if available) is preferred, a non-DOI example is listed below. 3) If you collect or generate data for the same study areas, CREP requests that you share relevant information on complimentary data collections. 4) Those receiving data are strongly urged to inform the CREP Data Management Team of any errors and discrepancies that are discovered during the course of using these data. They are further urged to bring to the attention of the Team all problems and difficulties encountered in using these data. This information is necessary in order to improve the collections and to facilitate more efficient and economical data processing and retrieval. The users are asked to supply copies of any missing data that may be located, and to provide information as to significant subsets and special aggregations of data that are developed in using the material provided. Example citation: “This publication makes use of data products provided by the Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with funding support from the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP). The analysis and interpretations presented here are solely that of the current authors.” Holst Rice, S., Messina, A. T., Biggs, T., Vargas-Ángel, Bernardo, 1965-, & Whitall, D. R. (2 C.E.). Baseline assessment of Fagaʻalu Watershed : a ridge to reef assessment in support of sediment reduction activities and future evaluation of their success. U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, Office for Coastal Management, Coral Reef Conservation Program. https://doi.org/10.7289/v5bk19c3 1965 publication International DOI Foundation (IDF) https://doi.org/10.7289/v5bk19c3 https://doi.org/10.7289/v5bk19c3 HTTPS https://doi.org/10.7289/v5bk19c3 NOAA Technical Memorandum information Holst Rice, S. author Messina, Alex T. author Biggs, T. author Vargas-Ángel, Bernardo, 1965- author Whitall, David R. author U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, Office for Coastal Management, Coral Reef Conservation Program. publisher documentDigital U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, Office for Coastal Management, Coral Reef Conservation Program. crossReference Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 2017: Benthic Surveys in Faga'alu, American Samoa: benthic cover derived from line-point intercept (LPI) surveys in August 2012, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/25370. 2017 publication gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:25370 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/25370 HTTPS https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/25370 InPort Metadata Record information NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/PIFSC) publisher tableDigital crossReference eng; USA utf8 environment oceans biota -170.681 -170.679 -14.2933 -14.2889 2012-08-14 2012-08-16 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information +1-301-713-3277 ncei.info@noaa.gov pointOfContact 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. Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions. Originator data format 1.212 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0169728 HTTPS Web browser NCEI Dataset Landing Page Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/oas/169728 HTTPS Web browser Descriptive Information Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/download/169728 HTTPS Web browser HTTPS Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download. download ftp://ftp-oceans.ncei.noaa.gov/nodc/archive/arc0116/0169728/ FTP Any FTP client FTP 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). download dataset NCEI Accession 0169728 v1.1 was published. 2018-01-27T01:49:05Z NCEI Accession 0169728 v1.1 publication https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0169728/1.1 HTTPS NCEI Accession 0169728 v1.1 published 2018-01-27T01:49:05Z download dataset Parameter or Variable: REEF AND/OR BOTTOM REGIME - PERCENT COVER (measured); Units: percent; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: swimmer/diver; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Upon arrival at a survey site, divers entered the water and deployed two 25-m transect lines, which were shared with belt transect surveys of corals. The Line-point Intercept (LPI) methodology was implemented to quantitatively document the benthic cover along the transects. The LPI diver determined the benthic composition at 20-cm intervals along the transect line for a total of 125 data points per transect. All living benthic elements (e.g., coral, algae, and other sessile invertebrates) were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible, often substituting functional group categories for turf algae and crustose coralline algae when identification in the field was extremely difficult. Raw survey data consist of counts of benthic elements, including but not limited to coral, carbonate pavement, sand, rubble, fleshy macroalgae, crustose coralline algae, turf algae, as well as other sessile invertebrates along the two transects. The data allows for the assessment and monitoring of community structure and composition, and provide the basis for computing quantitative estimates of benthic cover (%) at higher taxonomic levels like functional group (coral, macroalgae, turf algae) or on a finer taxonomic resolution such as genus level. asNeeded Metadata are developed, maintained and distributed by NCEI. Updates are performed as needed to maintain currentness. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information custodian swimmer/diver swimmer/diver not an instrument - use as observation type