gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:63095 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 Akridge, Michael W (808)725-5483 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA michael.akridge@noaa.gov 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu, HI 96818 USA michael.akridge@noaa.gov 808-725-5483 pointOfContact 2026-03-04T19:17:21 ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata Part 2 Extensions for imagery and gridded data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Structure from motion (SfM) benthic images collected at Stratified Random Sites (StRS) across the US Pacific from 2019 NCRMP: SfM Benthic Images StRS US Pacific 2020-11-10 creation publication NOAA/NMFS/EDM 63095 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/63095 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Full Metadata Record View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset. information 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://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacific-islands/ecosystems/coral-reefs-pacific WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Coral Reefs in the Pacific NOAA Fisheries website download https://www.coris.noaa.gov/monitoring/ WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link National Coral Reef Monitoring Program NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) website. download https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/region/pacific-islands#science WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Region - Science Overview Online Resource download imageDigital Winston M, Couch C, Ferguson M, Huntington B, Swanson D, Vargas-Angel B. 2019. Ecosystem Sciences Division Standard Operating Procedures: Data Collection for Rapid Ecological Assessment Benthic Surveys, 2018 Update. NOAA Tech. Memo. NOAA-TM-NMFS-PIFSC-92, 66 p. doi:10.25923/w1k2-0y84 Suka R, Asbury M, Couch C, Gray A, Winston M, Oliver T. 2019. Processing Photomosaic Imagery of Coral Reefs Using Structure-from-Motion Standard Operating Procedures. U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA-TM-NMFS-PIFSC-93, 54 p. doi:10.25923/h2q8-jv47 Couch CS, Oliver TA, Suka R, Lamirand M, Asbury M, Amir C, Vargas-Angel B, Winston M, Huntington B, Lichowski F, Halperin A, Gray A, Garriques J, Samson J. 2021. Comparing Coral Colony Surveys From In-Water Observations and Structure-From-Motion Imagery Shows Low Methodological Bias. Front. Mar. Sci. 8:647943. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.647943 The data described here are Structure from Motion (SfM) benthic habitat imagery from benthic transect surveys conducted at stratified random sites by the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD)--formerly the Coral Reef Ecosystem Division--as part of the NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). The SfM surveys replicates the visual Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) survey methodology for corals conducted during ESD-led NCRMP missions across the Pacific Ocean beginning in 2019. A stratified random sampling (StRS) design was employed to survey the coral reef ecosystems across the U.S. Pacific Regions (Hawaiian Archipelago, Mariana Archipelago, American Samoa, and the Pacific Remote Island Areas). 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 island, sub-island sector, reef zone, and depth in all regions, as well as habitat structure type in the Main Hawaiian Islands. Allocation of sampling effort was proportional to strata area and variance in coral density. The StRS design effectively reduces estimate variance by sampling more sites with larger hardbottom area and variance. Therefore, site-level analyses should be employed with caution. Sites were imaged using underwater cameras along 3x20m (3x13m for sites deeper than 18m) transects to extract data for two coral life stages (juveniles, adults) across the U.S. Pacific Island areas beginning in 2019. Adult colony surveys record taxon (genus or species), morphology, colony size, partial mortality in two categories - old dead and recent dead, cause of recent dead partial mortality, and non-lesion forming condition including bleaching and disease. These data are used to calculate density, size distributions, average partial mortality and prevalence and mean severity of coral health conditions. Juvenile colony surveys include taxon (genus or species), morphology and size, and are used to calculate juvenile density and size distributions by taxon. The National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) details a long-term approach to provide an ecosystem perspective via monitoring climate, fish, benthic, and socioeconomic variables in a consistent and integrated manner. The NCRMP coordinates various Coral Reef Conservation Coral Reef Program (CRCP) biological, physical, and human dimensions activities into a cohesive NOAA-wide effort. Through the implementation of the NCRMP, NOAA is able to clearly and concisely communicate results of national-scale monitoring to national, state, and territorial policy makers, resource managers, and the public on a periodic basis. NOAA Fisheries, Ecosystem Sciences Division and funded by the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program onGoing Couch, Courtney S courtney.s.couch@noaa.gov 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu, HI 96818 USA courtney.s.couch@noaa.gov 808-725-5507 pointOfContact Akridge, Michael W (808)725-5483 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA michael.akridge@noaa.gov pointOfContact Couch, Courtney S courtney.s.couch@noaa.gov 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu, HI 96818 USA courtney.s.couch@noaa.gov 808-725-5507 custodian asNeeded National Coral Reef Monitoring Program theme CRCP Project Visual Images > Habitats theme CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Guam > Guam (13N144E0000) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Aguihan > Aguihan Island (Aguijan) (14N145E0006) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Asuncion Island > Asuncion Island (19N145E0001) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Maug > Maug Island (20N145E0001) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Northern Mariana Islands > Northern Mariana Islands ( CNMI ) (18N146E0000) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Pagan > Pagan Island (18N145E0001) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Rota > Rota Island ( Luta ) (14N145E0007) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Saipan > Saipan Island (15N145E0002) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Sarigan Island > Sarigan Island (16N145E0003) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Tinian > Tinian Island (14N145E0005) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > American Samoa > American Samoa (14S170W0000) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > American Samoa > Ofu Island (14S169W0013) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > American Samoa > Olosega Island (14S169W0014) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > American Samoa > Rose Atoll (14S168W0001) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > American Samoa > Swains Atoll (11S171W0001) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > American Samoa > Ta'u Island (14S169W0012) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > American Samoa > Tutuila Island (14S170W0016) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Guam > Guam (13N144E0000) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Hawaii > Hawaii (21N160W0000) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Hawaii > Hawaii Island (19N155W0003) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Hawaii > Kauai Island (22N159W0001) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Hawaii > Molokai Island (21N157W0001) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > French Frigate Shoals (24N166W0001) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Kure Atoll (28N178W0001) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Lisianski Island (25N173W0001) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (28N178W0000) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Oahu (21N157W0003) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Pearl and Hermes Reef (27N176W0001) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Kalawao > Kahoolawe Island (20N156W0001) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Kauai > Niihau Island (21N160W0001) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Maui > Lanai Island (20N156W0002) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Maui > Maui Island (20N156W0004) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaiian Islands (21N157W0027) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > USA Minor Outlying Islands > Baker Island (00N176W0001) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > USA Minor Outlying Islands > Howland Island (00S176W0001) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > USA Minor Outlying Islands > Jarvis Island (00S160W0001) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > USA Minor Outlying Islands > Johnston Atoll (16N169W0001) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > USA Minor Outlying Islands > Kingman Reef (06N162W0001) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > USA Minor Outlying Islands > Palmyra Atoll (05N162W0001) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > USA Minor Outlying Islands > Wake Atoll (19N167E0001) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > American Samoa > American Samoa (14S170W0000) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > American Samoa > Rose Atoll (14S168W0001) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > American Samoa > Swains Atoll (11S171W0001) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > American Samoa > Tutuila Island (14S170W0016) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Baker Island > Baker Island (00N176W0001) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands (21N157W0027) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Hawaii > Hawaii (21N160W0000) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Hawaii Island > Hawaii Island (19N155W0003) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Kahoolawe Island > Kahoolawe Island (20N156W0001) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Kauai Island > Kauai Island (22N159W0001) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Lanai Island > Lanai Island (20N156W0002) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Maui Island > Maui Island (20N156W0004) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Molokai Island > Molokai Island (21N157W0001) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Niihau Island > Niihau Island (21N160W0001) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Oahu Island > Oahu (21N157W0003) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Howland Island > Howland Island (00S176W0001 OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Johnston Atoll > Johnston Atoll (16N169W0001) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Line Islands > Jarvis Island (00S160W0001) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Line Islands > Kingman Reef (06N162W0001) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Line Islands > Palmyra Atoll (05N162W0001) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (28N178W0000) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > French Frigate Shoals (24N166W0001) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Kure Atoll (28N178W0001) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Lisianski Island (25N173W0001) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Pearl and Hermes Reef (27N176W0001) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Wake Atoll > Wake Atoll (19N167E0001) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Manu'a Group > Ofu Island (14S169W0013) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Manu'a Group > Olosega Island (14S169W0014) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Manu'a Group > Ta'u Island (14S169W0012) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Aguihan Island Reefs > Aguihan Island (Aguijan) (14N145E0006) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Asuncion Island > Asuncion Island (19N145E0001) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Mariana Archipelago > Northern Mariana Islands ( CNMI ) (18N146E0000) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Maug Island > Maug Island (20N145E0001) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Pagan Island > Pagan Island (18N145E0001) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Rota Island > Rota Island ( Luta ) (14N145E0007) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Saipan Island > Saipan Island (15N145E0002) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Sarigan Island > Sarigan Island (16N145E0003) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Tinian Island Reefs > Tinian Island (14N145E0005) theme CoRIS Place Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Benthic Habitat EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Reef Habitat EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Benthos Analysis > Transect Monitoring EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Photographic Analysis EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Rapid assessment studies EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Bathymetry/Seafloor Topography > Hard Seafloor Substrate 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 images theme NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS in situ theme NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS CORAL REEF STUDIES Coral Reef Conservation Program National Coral Reef Monitoring Program theme NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS US DOC; NOAA; NMFS; Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center; Ecosystem Sciences Division theme NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Central Pacific Ocean Equatorial Pacific Ocean Marianas Trench Marine National Monument North Pacific Ocean Northwest Pacific Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument Rose Atoll Marine National Monument South Pacific Ocean place NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Coastal Waters of Hawaii place NODC Sea Area Names Thesaurus camera instrument NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS OSCAR ELTON SETTE RAINIER platform NODC PLATFORM NAMES THESAURUS CRED CREP Coral Reef Ecosystem Division Coral Reef Ecosystem Program ESD Ecosystem Sciences Division NCRMP National Coral Reef Monitoring Program PIFSC Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center REA Rapid Ecological Assessment SfM Structure from Motion theme Triennial temporal American Samoa CNMI Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands MHI Main Hawaiian Islands Marianas NWHI Northwestern Hawaiian Islands PMNM PRIA PRIMNM Pacific Remote Island Areas 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 Structure From Motion project InPort otherRestrictions Cite As: Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, [Date of Access]: National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Structure from motion (SfM) benthic images collected at Stratified Random Sites (StRS) across the US Pacific from 2019 [Data Date Range], https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/63095. 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 Fisheries, Ecosystem Science Division (ESD) when using the data. Example: Ecosystem Science Division; COPY INPORT RECORD CITATION HERE (keep ESD). 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 Structure from Motion (SfM) Coral (Adult and Juvenile) Annotations derived from Stratified Random Site (StRS) Imagery across the US Pacific from 2019 to 2023 for methods comparison NOAA/NMFS/EDM 63097 crossReference NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) NOAA/NMFS/EDM 63095 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inportserve/waf/noaa/nmfs/pifsc/dmp/pdf/63095.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 environment A GPS unit is used to record the location of each Structure from Motion (SfM) survey site. A Canon SL2 or SL3 DSLR digital camera in an Ikelite underwater housing was used to take photographs of each site. Coded markers 0.25-0.50 m long were used underwater to provide a scale for the mosaic imagery. U.S. Pacific Island Areas 144.618287 -154.806789 -14.373615 28.455623 | Currentness: Ground Condition 2019-04-21 The National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) is a framework for conducting sustained observations of biological, climate, and socioeconomic indicators at 10 priority coral reefs across the U.S. and its territories. This integrated approach consolidates monitoring of coral reefs under a uniform method in the Pacific, Atlantic, Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico for the first time. NCRMP is funded by the CRCP and supported by NOAA Fisheries, NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), and many other partners. The Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) at NOAA Fisheries is leading biological monitoring in the U.S. Pacific Islands Region. The biological component of NCRMP in the Pacific provides a triennial ecological characterization at a broad spatial scale of general reef condition for reef fishes, corals and benthic habitat (i.e., fish species composition/density/size, benthic cover, and coral density/size/condition). Innovative analysis techniques are then used to develop products that give fellow scientists, managers, decision makers and the public a better understanding of a region's resources and how they are changing over time. false eng false Other SfM Stratified Random: Benthic Image Entities 2025-09-30 publication 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 NOAA/NESDIS E/OC SSMC3, 4th Floor, 1351 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282 (301) 713-3277 distributor https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/ocean-exploration/video/ WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link SfM_BenthicImagery_MHI_2019 SfM Benthic imagery collected during REA surveys. Surveys were conducted by the NOAA Fisheries Ecosystem Sciences Division at coral reef sites throughout the main Hawaiian Islands beginning in 2019. Photos are organized by year, region, island, and site. See metadata file for site information. Access via NOAA OER Video Portal -- select 'NCRMP' to see 2019 imagery dataset. download https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/ocean-exploration/video/ WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link SfM_BenthicImage_Metadata_MHI_2019.csv Metadata (date, site #, location, marker numbers, length, and corresponding depths for appropriate scaling and orienting, camera model, lens focal length, exposure and color correction information) for SfM benthic imagery collected at stratified random sites during REA surveys. Surveys were conducted by the NOAA Fisheries Ecosystem Sciences Division throughout the main Hawaiian Islands beginning in 2019. Access via NOAA OER Video Portal -- select 'NCRMP' to see 2019 imagery dataset. download dataset Representativeness The data set derived from the imagery is only as good as the images themselves; Images with poor resolution, poor lighting, extraneous objects (fins, etc), or blur were excluded from analysis. Accuracy Handheld GPS units were used to locate random sites and mark site locations. Prior to conducting surveys, the SfM image collector was trained to swim in a back-and-forth pattern to collect imagery with 60-80% overlap. Both classroom and field training were completed before any surveys were conducted. This training ensures that all SfM image collection was conducted consistently during the mission. Completeness Report Only shallow water (0 to 30 meter depth range) hard-bottom habitats are surveyed. At deep sites, bottom time is limited and therefore survey area may be reduced from 3 x 20 m to 3 x 13 m. SfM imagery was collected at all benthic REA survey sites but only at a subset of the Fish REA survey sites. The survey sites were randomly selected using a systematic process based on available habitat and bathymetric data. Although efforts are made to include broad spatial coverage of surveys at each island, weather conditions and other environmental constraints may have prevented the team from surveying exposed reef areas. Conceptual Consistency The same method of image collection was used at each surveyed site. The benthic SfM survey methodology, employed by the NOAA Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) began in 2019. Benthic imagery is collected at stratified random sites. These photos are evaluated for quality prior to processing and analysis. A stratified random sampling (StRS) design was employed to survey the coral reef ecosystems through the U.S. Pacific regions. The survey domain encompassed the majority of the mapped area of reef and hard bottom habitats. The stratification scheme included island, reef zone, and depth in all regions, as well as habitat structure type in the Main Hawaiian Islands. The habitat structure types included simple, complex, and coral-rich. Depth categories of shallow (0-6 m), mid (> 6-18m) and deep (>18-30 m) were also incorporated into the stratification scheme. Allocation of sampling effort was proportional to strata area and variance in coral density . Sites were randomly selected within each stratum. A geographic information system (GIS) and digital spatial databases of benthic habitats (NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science NCCOS), reef zones (IKONOS satellite imagery, NDGC 1998) bathymetry (NDGC 1998, CREP benthic mapping data), and marine reserve boundaries (NOAA) were used to facilitate spatial delineation of the sampling survey domain, strata, and sample units. Map resolution was such that the survey domain could be overlain by a grid using a GIS with individual cells of size 50 m by 50 m in area. A one-stage sampling scheme following Cochran (1977) was employed. Grid cells containing hard-bottom reef habitats were designated as primary sample units (referred to as sites). Couch, Courtney S courtney.s.couch@noaa.gov processor SfM benthic surveys were conducted by both the fish and benthic teams to record the benthic community composition. A 3 x 20 m or 3 x 13 m plot was visually established centered on a transect line. 3-4 depth markers were placed within the plot for scale. White balance settings were adjusted in situ using an 18% gray card. JPEG images were collected using a Canon SL2 or SL3 digital camera in an underwater housing with a dome port. Images were collected at each site by swimming in a back-and-forth motion 1 m above the substrate capturing images continuously to achieve a 60-80% overlap across consecutive images. Winston, Morgan S (808)725-5480 morgan.winston@noaa.gov processor Images for each site were evaluated to remove extraneous or erroneous photographs (e.g. fins, blue water, excessive blur, etc.) At some sites images were color corrected and exposure corrected using Adobe Lightroom because white balance was not achieved in situ or a substantial number of images were dark, respectively. Image adjustments were batch run per site for consistent correction. Images were processed in Agisoft Metashape to create 3-dimensional models as well as 2-dimensional "orthomosaics" for each site to be used for data extraction. Image data includes ~1500 benthic photographs per survey site. Included in the archive package is a list of survey sites, including region, island, site, date (day, month, year), latitude (dd), longitude (dd), depth marker numbers with corresponding depth values, marker length for scaling models, camera model and lens focal length, if the images for a site were color or exposure corrected, and a unique image name. The file naming convention for each photo/image is NCRMP_SFM_StRS_YEAR_MissionID_REGION_ISLAND-Site#_IMG_####.jpg Charendoff, Jonathan jonathan.charendoff@noaa.gov processor Source Contribution: The structural complexity of coral reefs plays a major role in the biodiversity, productivity, and overall functionality of reef ecosystems. Conventional metrics with 2-dimensional properties are inadequate for characterization of reef structural complexity. A 3-dimensional (3D) approach can better quantify topography, rugosity and other structural characteristics that play an important role in the ecology of coral reef communities. Structure from Motion (SfM) is an emerging low-cost photogrammetric method for high-resolution 3D topographic reconstruction. This study utilized SfM 3D reconstruction software tools to create textured mesh models of a reef at French Frigate Shoals, an atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The reconstructed orthophoto and digital elevation model were then integrated with geospatial software in order to quantify metrics pertaining to 3D complexity. The resulting data provided high-resolution physical properties of coral colonies that were then combined with live cover to accurately characterize the reef as a living structure. The 3D reconstruction of reef structure and complexity can be integrated with other physiological and ecological parameters in future research to develop reliable ecosystem models and improve capacity to monitor changes in the health and function of coral reef ecosystems. Burns J, Delparte D, Gates R, Takabayashi M. 2015. Integrating structure-from-motion photogrammetry with geospatial software as a novel technique for quantifying 3D ecological characteristics of coral reefs. PeerJ 3:e1077 2015-07-07 publication John Burns https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.1077 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link PeerJ Source Citation URL information publisher Source Contribution: This document provides detailed procedures for collecting and processing imagery using Structure-from-Motion techniques developed by Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) in collaboration with Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the University of Hawaii at Hilo. These procedures are designed to efficiently generate coral demographic and benthic community metrics across the broad spatial scale of the Pacific Rapid Assessment and Monitoring Program. This pipeline consists of four key steps: (1) Image collection by SCUBA divers, (2) Data management, post-processing, and QC, (3) Generating 3-D models and 2-D orthophotos in Agisoft Metashape, and (4) Extracting demographic data in ArcMap. This SOP is the result of comprehensive testing of different camera systems, collection techniques, and software. While the following procedures are designed to meet ESD needs, we primarily use commercially available cameras and software, making these methods adaptable based on programmatic capacity and needs. Suka R, Asbury M, Couch C, Gray A, Winston M, Oliver T. 2019. Processing Photomosaic Imagery of Coral Reefs Using Structure-from-Motion Standard Operating Procedures. U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA-TM-NMFS-PIFSC-93, 54 p. doi:10.25923/h2q8-jv47 2019-12-30 publication Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center https://doi.org/10.25923/h2q8-jv47 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link NOAA Institutional Repository NOAA technical memorandum NMFS PIFSC information originator Source Contribution: The objective of this document is to provide updates incorporated in 2019 to the guidelines and procedures for implementation of sampling design, survey methodology, and data entry for the monitoring of reef coral populations and benthic communities as part of the Pacific RAMP led by ESD (Swanson et al. 2018). Winston M, Couch C, Huntington B, Vargas-Ángel B. 2020. Ecosystem Sciences Division Standard Operating Procedures: Data Collection for Rapid Ecological Assessment Benthic Surveys, 2019 Update 2020-01-31 publication Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center https://doi.org/10.25923/ws5s-km69 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link NOAA Institutional repository NOAA technical memorandum NMFS PIFSC information originator otherRestrictions otherRestrictions Access Constraints: None | Use Constraints: None