gov.noaa.nodc:0240418 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 2025-05-16T15:48:16Z ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) Benthic Surveys in Fagaʻalu, American Samoa: comprehensive assessment of coral demography (adult and juvenile corals) from belt transect surveys from 2020-01-15 to 2020-01-24 (NCEI Accession 0240418) 2021-09-02 publication 2021-08-20 creation NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information gov.noaa.nodc:0240418 NCEI Archive Management System 0240418 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 Kevin Trick University of Hawaii Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (JIMAR) Kevin.Trick@noaa.gov https://www.soest.hawaii.edu/cimar/ HTTPS University of Hawaii Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (JIMAR) website Institution web page information resourceProvider NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/PIFSC) resourceProvider Bernardo Vargas-Ángel NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/PIFSC) bernardo.vargas-angel@noaa.gov https://coast.noaa.gov/ HTTPS NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/PIFSC) website Institution web page information principalInvestigator Brooke Olenski NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/PIFSC) brooke.olenski@noaa.gov https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/ HTTPS NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/PIFSC) website Institution web page information pointOfContact NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/ HTTPS NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division website Institution web page information author NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/PIFSC) contributor tableDigital The data described here result from benthic coral demographic surveys within belt transects of specified length and width for two life stages (juveniles and adults) in Fagaʻalu, American Samoa in 2020. The data provide information on adult coral colony counts, morphology, size, partial mortality (old and recent dead), presence and causation of disease and other compromised health conditions, including bleaching. Juvenile colony surveys include morphology and size. Taxonomic identification of adult colonies is to the species level and genus level for juveniles. In 2020, the survey implemented a one-stage stratified random sampling (StRS) design to assess the Fagaʻalu coral reef community. The survey domain encompassed the majority of the mapped area of reef and hard bottom habitats in the 0–30 m depth range. The stratification scheme included cardinal position (i.e., north and south), reef zone (i.e., backreef and forereef) and depth (i.e., shallow: >0–6 m and mid-depth: >6–18 m). Sampling effort allocation was determined based on strata area and sites randomly located within strata. The StRS design effectively reduces estimate variance through stratification using environmental covariates and by sampling more sites rather than more transects per site. Therefore, site-to-site comparisons should proceed with caution. These data are part of a NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) funded project aimed at establishing baseline, status, and trends 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 2020. 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 Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD), 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 (conducted by San Diego State University). 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. An Erosion and Sediment Control Plan was implemented at Samoa Maritime quarry to reduce excess sedimentation from quarry operations, and mitigation actions from the Plan took place in 2014 to install retention basins designed to stem the input of excess sediments into Faga’alu Stream below the quarry. REA surveys conducted by CREP in 2012 and 2013 serve as the pre-mitigation baseline, and surveys conducted in 2015 by CREP and later by the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources serve to document the downstream effects (e.g., changes to the coral community) in Faga’alu Bay from the mitigation efforts to reduce the sediment loads upstream. Concurrent pre- and post-mitigation monitoring of turbidity and sediment load in Faga'alu is managed by San Diego State University via the CRCP-funded project titled, "Capacity Building for On-Island Impact Assessment of Sediment Load Reduction in Faga’alu Watershed, American Samoa". Long-term monitoring of the stream is transitioning to the American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency. 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:0240418 Preview graphic PNG 0240418 NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 2021-08-02 publication biological data CORAL CORAL - BLEACHING CORAL - CENSUS CORAL - COLONY SIZE CORAL - SPECIES IDENTIFICATION HABITAT - BENTHIC theme NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS swimmer/diver visual observation instrument NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS biological in situ survey - biological survey - coral reef survey - swimmer/diver theme NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center dataCentre NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center 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 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 31259 Status and trends assessment for LBSP impacts on reef communities in Faga'alu Bay and Vatia Bay project CRCP Project Numeric Data Sets > Biology theme CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Coral Diseases EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Coral Diseases > Bleaching EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Coral Mortality EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Damage Assessment > Pollution 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 > Transect Monitoring > Belt Transect 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 > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Rapid Assessment Studies 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 > Marine Biology > Coral EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Coral Communities theme CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > BENTHIC EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > REEF > CORAL REEF EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > COASTAL PROCESSES > CORAL REEFS > CORAL BLEACHING 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 COLONY - RECENT MORTALITY CAUSE CORAL - CONDITION EXTENT CORAL - HEALTH CONDITION CORAL - MORPHOLOGY CORAL - MORTALITY theme Provider Keywords VISUAL OBSERVATIONS > VISUAL OBSERVATIONS instrument Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument 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 survey -swimmer/diver instrument Provider Instruments Shore based platform Provider Platform Names 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 Faga'alu Bay, Tutuila, American Samoa place Provider Place Names JNRDF5 Send2NCEI Submission Package ID accessLevel: public otherRestrictions Cite as: NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division (2021). Benthic Surveys in Fagaʻalu, American Samoa: comprehensive assessment of coral demography (adult and juvenile corals) from belt transect surveys from 2020-01-15 to 2020-01-24 (NCEI Accession 0240418). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0240418. 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. Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 2017: Benthic Surveys in Faga'alu, American Samoa: comprehensive assessment of coral demography (adult and juvenile corals) from belt transect surveys in 2013, 2015, and 2020, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/25369. 2017 publication gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:25369 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/25369 HTTPS https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/25369 InPort Metadata Record information NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/PIFSC) publisher tableDigital crossReference 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 related journal article 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 Vargas-Ángel Bernardo, & Schumacher, B. (2018). Baseline surveys for coral reef community structure and demographics in Vatia and Faga'alu Bay, American Samoa. NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center. https://doi.org/10.7289/v5/sp-pifsc-18-002 2018 publication International DOI Foundation (IDF) https://doi.org/10.7289/v5/sp-pifsc-18-002 https://doi.org/10.7289/v5/sp-pifsc-18-002 HTTPS https://doi.org/10.7289/v5/sp-pifsc-18-002 related journal article information Vargas-Ángel, Bernardo author Schumacher, Brett author NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center publisher documentDigital NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center crossReference Vargas-Ángel, B. (2020). Status and Trends Assessment for Land-based Sources of Pollution Impacts on Benthic Reef Communities in Faga‘alu Bay, American Samoa. Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (U.S.). https://doi.org/10.25923/0gvj-zm69 2020 publication International DOI Foundation (IDF) https://doi.org/10.25923/0gvj-zm69 https://doi.org/10.25923/0gvj-zm69 HTTPS https://doi.org/10.25923/0gvj-zm69 related journal article information Vargas-Ángel, Bernardo author Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (U.S.) publisher documentDigital Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (U.S.) crossReference eng; USA utf8 environment oceans biota -170.68113 -170.67261 -14.29379 -14.28678 2020-01-15 2020-01-24 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. CSV 1.88 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0240418 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/240418 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/240418 HTTPS Web browser HTTPS Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download. download ftp://ftp-oceans.ncei.noaa.gov/nodc/archive/arc0186/0240418/ 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 0240418 v1.1 was published. 2021-09-02T23:43:11Z NCEI Accession 0240418 v1.1 publication https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0240418/1.1 HTTPS NCEI Accession 0240418 v1.1 published 2021-09-02T23:43:11Z download dataset Parameter or Variable: CORAL - CENSUS (measured); Units: counts; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: Survey - swimmer/diver; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Number of coral colonies of a specific taxon per survey area; Data Quality Method: Information Parameter or Variable: CORAL - SPECIES IDENTIFICATION (measured); Units: unitless; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: survey - swimmer/diver; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Identification of all colonies per survey area to the lowest taxonomic level possible (species or genus); Data Quality Method: Information Parameter or Variable: CORAL - MORPHOLOGY (measured); Units: unitless; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: survey - swimmer/diver; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Coral colony morphology -i.e. massive, branching, encrusting, etc. noted; Data Quality Method: Information Parameter or Variable: CORAL - COLONY SIZE (measured); Units: cm; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: survey - swimmer/diver; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Coral colony maximum diameter measured to the nearest centimeter for adults and 5 millimeter for juveniles; Data Quality Method: Information Parameter or Variable: CORAL - MORTALITY (measured); Units: percent; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: survey -swimmer/diver; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Partial colony mortality visually estimated as percent of the colony, in terms of old dead and recent dead; Data Quality Method: Information Parameter or Variable: COLONY - RECENT MORTALITY CAUSE (measured); Units: unitless; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: survey - swimmer/diver; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Cause of recent mortality identified if possible; Data Quality Method: Information Parameter or Variable: CORAL - HEALTH CONDITION (measured); Units: unitless; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: survey - swimmer/diver; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The condition of each colony in terms of disease (not attributed to recent tissue loss) and bleaching was noted; Data Quality Method: Information Parameter or Variable: CORAL - CONDITION EXTENT (measured); Units: percent; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: survey - swimmer/diver; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The extent of condition visually estimated as percent of the colony affected by disease and/or bleaching; Data Quality Method: Information Parameter or Variable: CORAL - BLEACHING (measured); Units: rank; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: survey -swimmer/diver; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Colony bleaching severity ranked from mild to acute (1= dim, 2 = pale/mottled, 3= stark white); Data Quality Method: Information Parameter or Variable: CORAL - CENSUS (measured); Units: unitless; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: survey - swimmer/diver; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Colony configuration as a fragment or not; Data Quality Method: information 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 visual observation visual observation not an instrument - maybe an observation type