gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:74830 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 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 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 Nu'uuli LBSP: Coral Demography 2024 creation 2025 publication NOAA/NMFS/EDM 74830 NOAA NCEI 2025-09-26 inForce https://doi.org/10.25921/b3t7-5a64 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/74830 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://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/pacific-islands/ecosystems/coral-reefs-pacific WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Citation URL Overview of NOAA Ecosystem Sciences Division, Archipelagic Research Program's methods to assess corals. 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 This metadata record describes the coral demographic data of Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef, American Samoa. Surveys were conducted by snorkelers from the Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) of the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), in collaboration American Samoa's Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources and the Coral Reef Advisory Group. Benthic coral demographic surveys were conducted within belt transects of specified length and width for two life stages (juveniles and adults) in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef, American Samoa in November 2024. Surveys were conducted at 20 randomly-selected sites and provide information on adult coral colony counts, morphology, size, partial mortality (old and recent dead), presence 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 (where possible) and genus level for juveniles. The survey design and site selection of stratified-random sites (StRS) follows protocols established by the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). 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 comprehensive ecological and water quality baseline for Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef. This work aims at identifying measurable spatial differences in the structure and composition of the benthic and coral community at Nu'uuli that can be explained by measurable spatial patterns of water quality (nutrients and sediments) and environmental conditions (pH, temperature, salinity). 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. PIFSC, Ecosystem Sciences Division, Archipelagic Research Program 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 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 > 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 > Biology theme CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Coral Diseases 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 > 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 CORAL CORAL - CENSUS CORAL - COLONY SIZE CORAL - SPECIES IDENTIFICATION theme NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS in situ survey - biological survey - coral reef survey - swimmer/diver 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 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 ARP Archipelagic Research Program CRCP 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 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 [Data Date Range], https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/74830. 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; Coral Reef Ecosystem Program; Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (2025). Benthic Surveys in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef, American Samoa: comprehensive assessment of coral demography (adult and juvenile corals) from belt transect surveys 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 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 NOAA/NMFS/EDM 74828 crossReference Benthic surveys along a water quality gradient in Aua, American Samoa: comprehensive assessment of coral demography (adult and juvenile corals) from belt transect surveys in 2022 NOAA/NMFS/EDM 67995 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 74830 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inportserve/waf/noaa/nmfs/pifsc/dmp/pdf/74830.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 views: v0_coral_obs_e and v0_coral_obs_f (date and location selection criteria required to subset the dataset) 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 (MP2505), location and date range of Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) surveys at stratified-random Sites (StRS) on Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef. Time frame of coral demographic surveys of Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef in 2024 during the NOAA PIFSC ESD 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". Subsurface temperature recordings and water samples also were collected as part of this baseline assessment for the analysis of dissolved nutrients (nitrate + nitrite, phosphate, ammonia), total suspended solids, chlorophyll-a, temperature, salinity, and seawater pH. These data are documented and archived separately. false eng false Data Table Adult Coral Observations Data Dictionary Nu'uuli 2025-09-18 publication Juvenile Coral Observations Data Dictionary Nu'uuli 2025-09-18 publication 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/0307838 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link ESD_CORAL_OBS_ADU_Nuuuli_2024.csv Coral demographic data of adult corals from belt transect surveys conducted by the NOAA PIFSC Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) of Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef, American Samoa in November 2024. download https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0307838 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link ESD_CORAL_OBS_JUV_Nuuuli_2024.csv Coral demographic data of juvenile corals from belt transect surveys conducted by the NOAA PIFSC Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) of Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef, American Samoa in November 2024. download dataset Accuracy Observations were made by experienced benthic survey personnel who have been trained, undergone a series of calibration surveys and coral taxon identification testing, and have met a set of minimum standards for colony assessment and taxon identification in each region. Handheld GPS units were used to locate sites and mark site locations. Analytical Accuracy The taxon code AAAA is included where the segment was surveyed and no individual colonies were found in both the juvenile and adult colony records. These are true zeros. The value -9 is a placeholder or missing value for the fields: colony length, colony width (juveniles), extent, and severity. The value -1 is included where a coral colony is a fragment. Bias While colony lengths are derived from physical measurements, recent and old mortality and disease extent are visual estimates; surveyors calibrate to reduce inter-observer bias Comparability Site GPS location and depth are appropriately collected to allow spatiotemporal comparisons. Completeness Measure Complete. All planned demographic data were collected. Completeness Report Hard bottom habitats including lagoon and backreef were surveyed. Only shallow water (0 to 4 meter depth range) hard-bottom habitats are surveyed. The survey sites were randomly selected using a systematic process based on available habitat and bathymetric data. Conceptual Consistency Survey methods were consistent across all sites. The data described here were collected via belt transect surveys of coral demography (adult and juvenile corals) by the NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) following the same protocol to that established by the NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). Biological surveys implemented a modified stratified random sampling design to assess the survey domain which encompassed the hard-bottom reef habitat of Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and the southern half of the backreef from 0 to 4 m in depth. A digital map of the survey domain was overlaid with grid cells containing hard-bottom reef habitat, and 50 sites were designated as potential sampling units, hereafter referred to as survey sites. Survey sites were visited in the field to groundtruth the hard bottom criteria. Many survey sites did not fit the criteria, and additional sites were created in the field. Each survey site was 250 feet or further from one another. One, haphazardly laid, 30-m transect was the focal point of the coral demographic survey. Coral demographic surveys were conducted within four segments of specified length (2.5 m) and width (1 m) at four specified points on the transect line, for two life stages (juveniles and adults) in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef, American Samoa in November 2024. Surveys were conducted at 20 randomly-selected sites and provide information on adult coral colony counts, morphology, size, partial mortality (old and recent dead), presence 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 (where possible) and genus level for juveniles. The survey design and site selection of stratified-random sites (StRS) follows protocols established by the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). Smith, Joy joy.smith@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 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