gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:74828 eng UTF8 dataset CSV 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 Luers, Lori H 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA lori.luers@noaa.gov Email preferred pointOfContact 2026-03-04T19:17:17 ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata Part 2 Extensions for imagery and gridded data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) Benthic photoquadrat imagery and benthic cover data collected in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef in American Samoa from 2024-11-11 to 2024-11-21 Nu'uuli LBSP: Benthic Image Analysis (BIA) 2025-02 creation 2025 publication NOAA/NMFS/EDM 74828 NOAA NCEI 2025-09-26 inForce ttps://doi.org/10.25921/z3ae-gw83 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/74828 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 http://coralnet.ucsd.edu/ WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link CoralNet Home Page CoralNet home page. The online tool used to analyze the benthic images for benthic cover. download https://coralreef.noaa.gov/issues/lbsp.html WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link NOAA CRCP Land-based Sources of Pollution NOAA CRCP page 'Reduce Land-Based Sources of Pollution'; includes other related links download https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/region/pacific-islands#science WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link PIFSC website Overview of research and programs at the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) download tableDigital Lozada-Misa P, Schumacher BD, Vargas-Angel B. 2017. Analysis of benthic survey images via CoralNet : a summary of standard operating procedures and guidelines. Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, PIFSC Administrative Report, H-17-02, 169 p. https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/AR-PIFSC-H-17-02. This metadata record describes the benthic imagery, raw benthic cover, mean benthic cover, and mean macroalgae cover data of Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef in American Samoa, produced from the benthic imagery analysis performed by the Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) of the Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) and funded by the Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP). Benthic imagery was collected at 20 randomly-selected sites during coral demographic surveys by the NOAA ESD during the 2024 fly-in mission to American Samoa (MP2502). After processing and sorting site photos, imagery was qualitatively analyzed using the web-based CoralNet image annotation tool. CoralNet projects random points on each image, and the benthic elements falling directly underneath each point are identified by trained scientists. Data from benthic surveys of Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef establishes a comprehensive biological baseline for land-based sources of pollution impacts on benthic composition and coral demography. 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 impacts on coral reefs. The focal point of this project was to establish a biological, water quality, and environmental conditions baseline for Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef. This work was aimed at identifying measurable spatial differences in the structure and composition of the benthic and coral community at both Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef that can be explained by measurable spatial patterns of water quality (nutrients and sediments) and environmental conditions (temperature, salinity, pH). This work is of fundamental importance for the development of future watershed management plans in Nu'uuli and will enable Federal and jurisdictional resource managers to more effectively assess the effectiveness of watershed management actions reducing land-based pollution and impacts to the adjacent coral reef ecosystems. NOAA Fisheries, Ecosystem Sciences Division and funded by the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program completed Smith, Joy 1845 Wasp Blvd. Bldg 176 Honolulu HI 96818 USA joy.smith@noaa.gov Email preferred pointOfContact Smith, Joy 1845 Wasp Blvd. Bldg 176 Honolulu HI 96818 USA joy.smith@noaa.gov Email preferred custodian notPlanned EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/INVERTEBRATES > CNIDARIANS > ANTHOZOANS/HEXACORALS > HARD OR STONY CORALS EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > PLANTS > MACROALGAE (SEAWEEDS) EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > BENTHIC EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > REEF > CORAL REEF theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords 17.0 31454 Develop monitoring capacity of American Samoan jurisdictional partners and observing LBSP impacts on coral reefs theme 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 > Aquatic Habitat > Reef Habitat > Coral cover 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 > Transect Monitoring > Belt transect EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Benthos Analysis > Transect monitoring EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Benthos analysis EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Photographic analysis EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Benthic biology EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Benthic cover 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 > Macroalgal cover EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral reefs theme CoRIS Theme Thesaurus BENTHIC COMMUNITIIES BENTHIC SPECIES theme NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS image analyses imagery theme NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS CORAL REEF STUDIES Coral Reef Conservation Program theme NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS US DOC; NOAA; NMFS; Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center; Ecosystem Sciences Division theme NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > Tutuila Island > Aua (14S170W0028) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Tutuila Island > Aua (14S170W0028) place CoRIS Place Thesaurus South Pacific Ocean place NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Archipelagic Research Program CoralNet ESD Ecosystem Sciences Division LBSP PIFSC Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center land-based source pollution theme 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 LBSP project InPort otherRestrictions Cite As: Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, [Date of Access]: Benthic photoquadrat imagery and benthic cover data collected in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef in American Samoa from 2024-11-11 to 2024-11-21 [Data Date Range], https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/74828. 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: Smith, Joy; Ecosystem Sciences Division; Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (2025). Benthic Surveys in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef, American Samoa: benthic percent cover derived from analysis of benthic images collected during belt transect surveys of coral demography in 2024. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. 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 Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef in American Samoa: comprehensive assessment of coral demography (adult and juvenile corals) from belt transect surveys from 2024-11-11 to 2024-11-21 NOAA/NMFS/EDM 74830 crossReference Effects of water quality on non-coral communities: surveys of macroinvertebrates, benthic microalgae, and benthic foraminifera at sites along a water quality gradient in Aua, American Samoa in 2022 NOAA/NMFS/EDM 68092 crossReference Nutrient and water chemistry data of Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef in American Samoa from samples collected along a water quality gradient between 2024-11-08 to 2024-11-20 NOAA/NMFS/EDM 74827 crossReference NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) NOAA/NMFS/EDM 74828 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inportserve/waf/noaa/nmfs/pifsc/dmp/pdf/74828.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 Oracle database view: MV_BIA_CNET_ANALYSIS_DATA SELECT * FROM MV_BIA_CNET_ANALYSIS_DATA WHERE OBS_YEAR = 2024 AND SITE IN (SELECT SITE FROM LIST_OF_SITES WHERE COMMENT_ = 'NUUULI') Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef, Tutuila, American Samoa -170.7107 -170.6999 -14.32444 -14.31784 November 2024 fly-in mission to American Samoa (MP2502), location and date range of Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) surveys at stratified-random Sites (StRS) in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef. Time frame of surveys in which benthic photoquadrat images were collected of Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef during 2024 fly-in mission to American Samoa (MP2505). | Currentness: Ground Condition 2024-11-11 2024-11-21 This project builds on prior baseline and status and trends assessments conducted in 2012, 2015, and 2020 in Faga'alu Bay (U.S. Task Force watershed priority site) and Vatia (Territorial priority watershed) and in 2022 in Aua Reef (Territorial priority watershed) to address National and Jurisdictional goals to reduce land-based sources of pollution impacts in coral reef ecosystems. This project is part of a larger CRCP-funded project ID 31303: "Linking watershed management activities to reef health in American Samoa". Funds were provided by both CRCP and NOAA's Pacific Islands Regional Office to fulfill capacity building for jurisdictional partners. Particularly, staff from American Samoa's Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) and the Coral Reef Advisory Group (CRAG) participated in virtual, classroom, and field training. Data collected during the field training component was kept to conduct this collaborative project. Water samples were also collected as part of this baseline assessment for the analysis of dissolved nutrients (phosphate, nitrate + nitrite, ammonia), total suspended sediments, chlorophyll-a, temperature, salinity, and seawater pH. These data are documented and archived separately. false eng false Data File Data Table ESD Benthic Image Classification Scheme 2025-09-09 publication ESD_mean_macroalgae_cover_DataDictionary_Nuuuli_2024 2025-09-09 publication ESD_BIA_CNET_ANALYSIS_DataDictionary_Nuuuli_2024 2025-09-09 publication ESD_SiteInfo_DataDictionary_Nuuuli_2024 2025-09-09 publication ESD_mean_benthic_cover_Nuuuli_2024 2025-09-09 publication CSV - Comma Separated Values (Text) CSV - Comma Separated Values (Text) JPEG CSV - Comma Separated Values (Text) 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://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0308219 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link ESD_LBSP_benthic_cover_Nuuuli_2024.csv Raw benthic cover data derived from analysis of benthic images collected during belt transect surveys conducted by the NOAA Ecosystem Sciences Division, (ESD) in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef, Tutuila, American Samoa in 2024. download https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0308219 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link ESD_LBSP_SiteInfo_Nuuuli_2024.csv List of survey sites, including site id, location (latitude/longitude), and survey date, where photoquads were collected. download https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0308219 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link ESD_LBSP_images_Nuuuli_2024 Photoquadrat benthic images collected in 2024 at 20 randomly selected sites (30 photos per site) in Nu'uuli, Tutuila, American Samoa via belt transect surveys of coral demography by the NOAA Ecosystem Sciences Division , Archipelagic Research Program (ESD, ARP). download https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0308219 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link ESD_mean_benthic_cover_Nuuuli_2004 Mean benthic cover data calculated from ESD_BIA_CNET_ANALYSIS_Nuuuli_2024.csv. Benthic images collected during belt transect surveys conducted by the NOAA Ecosystem Sciences Division, (ESD) in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef, Tutuila, American Samoa in 2024. download https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0308219 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link ESD_mean_macroalgae_cover_Nuuuli_2024 Mean macroalgae cover data calculated from ESD_BIA_CNET_ANALYSIS_Nuuuli_2024.csv. Benthic images collected during belt transect surveys conducted by the NOAA Ecosystem Sciences Division, (ESD) in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef, Tutuila, American Samoa in 2024. download dataset Accuracy Benthic Images were analyzed by experienced benthic survey personnel who have been trained. Benthic composition data sets derived from image analysis are highly reliable within the stipulated taxonomic context. Completeness Report The data set derived from the image analysis is as good as the images themselves; poor images with low contrast, inappropriate white balance, or out of focus may have to be discarded. Therefore, percent cover estimates for some sites may derive from differing number of points between sites. Although the analysis process is statistically robust to allow for differing n (points) between sites, users should be aware of this limitation. Classification is completed to the functional group/genus level (Tier 1-Tier 3). Conceptual Consistency The same method of image analysis was used at each surveyed site. The methodology to analyze benthic imagery using CoralNet to derive benthic cover values. The data described here were derived from the analysis of benthic images collected along photoquadrat surveys by the NOAA Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD): Still photographs were collected during belt transect surveys of coral demography to record the benthic community composition at predetermined points along the transect line with a high-resolution digital camera mounted on a pole. Photoquadrat surveys were conducted along one, 30 meter transect per site. Photos of the benthic substrate were taken at one meter intervals starting at meter 1, (30 images/transect; 30 images total). The benthic photoquadrat images were analyzed by using the web-based annotation tool CoralNet (Beijbom et al. 2016). CoralNet assigns 10 random points per photo and the benthic element falling directly underneath each point is identified to three functional group levels: Tier 1 (e.g. hard coral, macroalgae, etc.), Tier 2 (e.g. Hard coral by morphology = massive, branching, etc.), and Tier 3 (e.g. Hard coral by genus and morphology). The detailed list of each functional group level or tier is included in the benthic image analysis classification scheme. See the published standard operating procedures for further details. Smith, Joy joy.smith@noaa.gov processor Source Contribution: The published benthic image analysis SOP using CoralNet. Lamirand M. Lozada-Misa P, Vargas-Angel B, Couch C, Schumacher B, Winston M. 2022. Analysis of Benthic Survey Images via CoralNet: A Summary of Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines (2022 update) Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, PIFSC https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/42469/noaa_42469_DS1.pdf WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Analysis of Benthic Survey Images via CoralNet: A Summary of Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines (2022 update) The updated benthic image analysis SOP using CoralNet. information publisher otherRestrictions otherRestrictions Access Constraints: None | Use Constraints: None