gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:31196 eng UTF8 dataset JPG Files Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center 808-725-5300 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Website Website for this organization information 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. resourceProvider DesRochers, Annette M (808)725-5461 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA annette.desrochers@noaa.gov 8 am - 5 pm Email preferred pointOfContact Luers, Lori H 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA lori.luers@noaa.gov pointOfContact 2026-03-04T19:17:28 ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata Part 2 Extensions for imagery and gridded data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) Benthic Surveys in Vatia, American Samoa since 2015: benthic images collected during belt transect surveys in 2015 and 2020 Vatia: benthic images 2022 publication NOAA/NMFS/EDM 31196 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/31196 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Full Metadata Record View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset. information NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (301) 713-3155 1305 East West Highway 10th Floor Silver Spring MD 20910-3281 https://coralreef.noaa.gov WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Website Link to the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program website information Funders originator Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center 808-725-5360 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA pifsc.info@noaa.gov https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Website Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center homepage information 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. originator https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/10399 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Citation URL Informative flyer illustrating impacts of land-based sources of pollution in Vatia Bay by the NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program. download https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/projects/detail?key=245 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Citation URL NCCOS Project Details: Nutrient Dynamics and Changes to Benthic Communities in Vatia, American Samoa download https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/cred/corals.php WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Citation URL Overview of NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program's methods to assess corals. download imageDigital Vargas-Angel B, Schumacher BD. 2018. Baseline surveys for coral reef community structure and demographics in Vatia Bay and Faga'alu Bay, American Samoa. Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, PIFSC Special Publication, SP-18-002, 38 p. https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/SP-PIFSC-18-002. and Vargas-Ángel B, Huntington B. 2020. Status and Trends Assessment of Benthic Coral Reef Communities in Vatia Bay, American Samoa, 2015–2020. Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, PIFSC Data Report, DR-20-020, 34p. https://doi.org/10.25923/r7dd-wg50, https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/27437 Jurisdictional managers have expressed concerns that nutrients from the village of Vatia, Tutuila, American Samoa, are having an adverse effect on the adjacent coral reef ecosystem. Excess nutrient loads promote increases in algal growth that can have deleterious effects on corals, such as benthic algae outcompeting and overgrowing corals. Nitrogen and phosphorus can also directly impact corals by lowering fertilization success, and reducing both photosynthesis and calcification rates. Land-based contributions of nutrients come from a variety of sources; in Vatia the most likely sources are poor wastewater management from piggeries and septic systems. NOAA scientists conducted benthic surveys to establish a baseline against which to compare changes in the algal and coral assemblages in response to land-based sources of pollution, including nutrient fluxes. Photoquadrat benthic images were collected in 2015 and 2020 only, via belt transect surveys of coral demography according to protocols established by NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) in 2015. In 2015, the survey implemented a two-stage stratified random sampling (StRS) design to assess the Vatia benthic coral reef community, and a one-stage StRS design in 2020. 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) 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 were generated from benthic surveys undertaken in Vatia Bay to establish a comprehensive baseline, status, and trends for benthic composition and coral demographics, and are part of a broader NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) funded project led by NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) and ESD to assess eutrophication impacts on coral ecosystem health in the bay. 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. PIFSC Coral Reef Ecosystem Program and funded by the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program onGoing Vargas-Angel, Bernardo (808)725-5423 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA bernardo.vargasangel@noaa.gov Email preferred pointOfContact Vargas-Angel, Bernardo (808)725-5423 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA bernardo.vargasangel@noaa.gov Email preferred custodian notPlanned 31090 31259 Eutrophication Impacts on Coral Ecosystem Health in Vatia Status and trends assessment for LBSP impacts on reef communities in Faga'alu Bay and Vatia Bay theme CRCP Project Visual Images > Habitats theme CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals 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 > In Situ Biological 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 PHOTOQUADRAT IMAGES theme NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS imagery theme NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS Coral Reef Conservation Program theme NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS US DOC; NOAA; NMFS; Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center; Ecosystem Sciences Division; Coral Reef Ecosystem Program theme NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > Tutuila Island > Vatia Bay (14S170W0028) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Tutuila Island > Vatia Bay (14S170W0028) place CoRIS Place Thesaurus South Pacific Ocean place NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS CRED CREP Coral Reef Ecosystem Division Coral Reef Ecosystem Program PIFSC Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center theme Vatia place DOC/NOAA/NMFS/PIFSC > Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce dataCentre Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords 2017-04-24 publication 8.5 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 22. 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 Benthic Missions project InPort otherRestrictions Cite As: Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, [Date of Access]: Benthic Surveys in Vatia, American Samoa since 2015: benthic images collected during belt transect surveys in 2015 and 2020 [Data Date Range], https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/31196. NOAA provides no warranty, nor accepts any liability occurring from any incomplete, incorrect, or misleading data, or from any incorrect, incomplete, or misleading use of the data. It is the responsibility of the user to determine whether or not the data is suitable for the intended purpose. otherRestrictions Access Constraints: None otherRestrictions Use Constraints: Please cite NOAA Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) when using the data. Example Cite as: Vargas-Angel, Bernardo; Ecosystem Sciences Division; Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (2022). Benthic Surveys in Vatia, American Samoa since 2015: benthic images collected during belt transect surveys in 2015 and 2020. [access date] otherRestrictions Distribution Liability: While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. unclassified Not applicable Not applicable Benthic Surveys in Vatia, American Samoa: benthic cover derived from analysis of benthic images collected during belt transect surveys of coral demography in 2015 and 2020 NOAA/NMFS/EDM 31611 crossReference Benthic Surveys in Vatia, American Samoa: comprehensive assessment of coral demography (adult and juvenile corals) from belt transect surveys in 2015 and 2020 NOAA/NMFS/EDM 30771 crossReference NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) NOAA/NMFS/EDM 31196 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inportserve/waf/noaa/nmfs/pifsc/dmp/pdf/31196.pdf WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) NOAA Data Management Plan for this record on InPort. information crossReference eng; US biota PIFSC network/file system: T:\Cruise\CruiseData\MP1602\Optical\TUT\REA\BENTHIC T:\Cruise\CruiseData\MP2006\Optical\TUT\REA\BENTHIC Vatia Bay, Tutuila, American Samoa -170.67555555556 -170.66666666667 -14.25138888889 -14.24305555556 Vatia Bay, Tutuila, American Samoa benthic images collected during belt transect surveys in 2015. | Currentness: Ground Condition 2015-11-02 2015-11-12 benthic images collected during belt transect surveys in 2020. | Currentness: Ground Condition 2020-01-01 2020-01-30 Between 2015 and 2018, NOAA, NCCOS collected water quality sampling for nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, urea, total nitrogen, orthophosphorus, and total phosphorus data as part of this project to quantify the nutrient dynamics of the Bay. These additional data are described separately by the NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS); see citation below. Whitall, D, M Curtis, A Mason, B Vargas-Angel. 2019. Excess Nutrients in Vatia Bay, American Samoa: Spatiotemporal Variability, Source Identification and Impact on Coral Reef Ecosystems. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 266. Silver Spring. 69 pages. doi:10.25923/j8cp-x570 false eng false Data Table Site_Information_DataDictionary_Vatia_2020 2022-09-19 publication CSV - Comma Separated Values (Text) JPEG CSV - Comma Separated Values (Text) NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information distributor https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0146680 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Site_Information_(Vatia_2015).csv List of survey sites, including site id, location (latitude/longitude), and survey date, where photoquads were collected. download https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0146680 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0146680 Photoquadrat benthic images collected in 2015 at 18 stratified randomly selected sites (30 photos per site) in Vatia Bay, Tutuila, American Samoa via belt transect surveys of coral demography by the NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP). download https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0259494 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Site_Information_Vatia_2020.csv List of survey sites, including site id, location (latitude/longitude), and survey date, where photoquadrat benthic images collected in 2020 at 24 stratified randomly selected sites (30 photos per site). download https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0259494 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0259494 Photoquadrat benthic images collected in 2020 at 24 stratified randomly selected sites (30 photos per site) in Vatia Bay, Tutuila, American Samoa via belt transect surveys of coral demography by the Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) of the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC). download dataset Accuracy Benthic Image collection was conducted by experienced benthic survey personnel who have been trained. Handheld GPS units were used to locate sites and mark site locations. Bias Not applicable Comparability Site GPS location and depth are appropriately collected to allow spatiotemporal comparisons. Completeness Measure Complete; photoquads were taken at all sites surveyed. On occasions instrument malfunction or sea conditions may preclude the collection of 30 benthic images per site. Completeness Report Only forereef, hard bottom habitats were surveyed. Conceptual Consistency Survey methods were consistent across all sites. Methods used in 2015 were slightly different from the current standard protocol used in 2020. Benthic photographs were collected during belt transect surveys of corals by the NOAA Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) following the same protocol to that established by the NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Plan (NCRMP). In 2015, the survey implemented a two-stage stratified random sampling (StRS) design. 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) 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. At each site, belt-transects were the focal point of the biological surveys. In 2015, fifteen images were collected along each, two haphazardly laid, 18-m transects. Still photographs were collected to record the benthic community composition at predetermined points along belt transects with a high-resolution digital camera mounted on a pole. Photographs were taken every 1 m from the 1 m to the 15 m mark. This work generates 30 photographs per site, which are later analyzed by ESD staff and partners using the computer program CoralNet. This analysis is the basis for estimating benthic cover and composition at each site. In 2016, American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) collected benthic images approximately every 3 months at five shallow sites where permanent transects were established. DMWR forwarded the images to ESD for analysis and assess temporal changes in benthic cover. These data are reported separately. Survey protocols followed the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program methodologies historically implemented by NOAA's Ecosystem Sciences Division. Swanson, Dione W (808)725-5417 dione.swanson@noaa.gov processor In 2020 the survey implemented a one-stage stratified random sampling (StRS) design. 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) 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. One, haphazardly laid, 30-m belt-transect was the focal point of the photoquadrat survey in 2020, Still photographs were collected to record the benthic community composition with a high-resolution digital camera mounted on a pole. Thirty photographs were taken every meter from the 1 m to the 30 m. This work generates 30 photographs per site, which are later analyzed by ESD staff and partners using the computer program CoralNet. Survey protocols followed the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program methodologies historically implemented by NOAA's Ecosystem Sciences Division. Winston, Morgan S (808)725-5480 morgan.winston@noaa.gov processor Baseline surveys for coral reef community structure and demographics in Vatia and Faga'alu Bay, American Samoa NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/17369 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link PIFSC special publication ; SP-18-002 Vargas-Angel, B., B.D. Schumacher. (2018). Baseline Surveys for Coral Reef Community Structure and Demographics in Vatia and Faga'alu Bay, American Samoa NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, PIFSC Special Publication, SP-18-002, 38 p. 4 information originator Ecosystem Sciences Division Standard Operating Procedures: Data Collection for Rapid Ecological Assessment Benthic Surveys, 2019 Update NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/23951 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-PIFSC ; 96 Winston W, Couch C, Huntingon B, Vargas-Ángel B. 2020. Ecosystem Sciences Division standard operating procedures: data collection for rapid ecological assessment benthic surveys,2019 update. NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-PIFSC-96, 56 p information originator Ecosystem Sciences Division standard operating procedures: data collection for rapid ecological assessment benthic surveys NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/18267 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link NOAA technical memorandum NMFS-PIFSC ; 71 Swanson, D., Bailey, H., Schumacher, B., Ferguson, M., and B. Vargas-Ángel. 2018. Ecosystem Sciences Division Standard Operating Procedures: Data Collection for Rapid Ecological Assessment Benthic Surveys. NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-PIFSC-71, 63 p. https://doi.org/10.25923/39jh-8993 information originator Status and Trends Assessment of Benthic Coral Reef Communities in Vatia Bay, American Samoa, 2015–2020 NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/27437 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link PIFSC Data Report DR-20-020. Issued 25 November 2020. https://doi.org/10.25923/r7dd-wg50 Vargas-Ángel, B., and Huntington, B. 2010. Status and Trends Assessment of Benthic Coral Reef Communities in Vatia Bay, American Samoa, 2015–2020PIFSC Data Report DR-20-020. Issued 25 November 2020. https://doi.org/10.25923/r7dd-wg50 information originator otherRestrictions otherRestrictions Access Constraints: None | Use Constraints: None