gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:39615 eng UTF8 dataset National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science resourceProvider NCCOS Scientific Data Coordinator NCCOS.data@noaa.gov pointOfContact 2025-05-15T19:16:10 ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata Part 2 Extensions for imagery and gridded data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) St. Croix, USVI Water Quality Data 2003 - Present water_quality_st_croix_2003 2003-03 publication NOAA/NMFS/EDM 39615 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/39615 WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Full Metadata Record View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset. information Jeffrey, Chris chris.jeffrey@noaa.gov principalInvestigator https://www8.nos.noaa.gov/biogeo_public/water_quality_query.aspx WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link Citation URL Online Resource download These water quality data are one of many studies being done to assess and monitor coral reef ecosystems.The intent of this work is three fold: (1) to spatially characterize and monitor the distribution, abundance, and size of both reef fishes and macro-invertebrates (conch, lobster, Diadema); (2) to relate this information to in-situ data collected on water quality and associated habitat parameters; (3) to use this information to establish the knowledge base necessary for enacting management decisions in a spatial setting and to establish the efficacy of those management decisions. Toward this end, the Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment's Biogeography Branch (BB) has completed its fourth year and is beginning its fifth year of work in the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. It is critical, with recent changes in management at both locations (e.g. implementation of MPAs) as well as proposed changes (e.g. zoning to manage multiple human uses) that action is taken now to accurately describe and characterize the fish/macro-invertebrate populations in these areas. It is also important that BB work closely with the individuals responsible for recommending and implementing these management strategies. Recognizing this, BB has been collaborating with partners at the University of Puerto Rico, National Park Service, US Geological Survey and the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources.To quantify patterns of spatial distribution and make meaningful interpretations, we must first have knowledge of the underlying variables determining species distribution. The basis for this work therefore, is the nearshore benthic habitats maps (less than 100 ft depth) created by NOAA's Biogeography Program in 2001 and NOS' bathymetry models. Using ArcView GIS software, the digitized habitat maps are stratified to select sampling stations. Sites are randomly selected within these strata to ensure coverage of the entire study region and not just a particular reef or seagrass area. At each site, fish, macro-invertebrates, and associated water quality and habitat information is then quantified following standardized protocols. By relating the data collected in the field back to the habitat maps and bathymetric models, BB is able to model and map species level and community level information. These protocols are standardized throughout the US Caribbean to enable quantification and comparison of reef fish abundance and distribution trends between locations. Armed with the knowledge of where "hot spots" of species richness and diversity are likely to occur in the seascape, the BB is in a unique position to answer questions about the efficacy of marine zoning strategies (e.g. placement of no fishing, anchoring, or snorkeling locations), and what locations are most suitable for establishing MPAs. Knowledge of the current status of fish/macro-invertebrate communities coupled with longer term monitoring will enable evaluation of management efficacy, thus it is essential to future management actions. 1) To spatially characterize and monitor the distribution, abundance, and size of both reef fishes and macro-invertebrate (conch, lobster, Diadema); 2) To relate this information to in-situ data collected on water quality and associated habitat parameters; 3) To use this information to establish the knowledge base necessary for enacting management decisions in a spatial setting; 4) To establish the efficacy of those management decisions; and 5) To work with the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program to develop data collection standards and easily implemented methodologies for transference to other agencies and to work toward standardizing data collection throughout the US states and territories. This is a cooperative effort between NOAA/NCCOS's Biogeography Branch and the University of Puerto Rico underDevelopment NCCOS Scientific Data Coordinator NCCOS.data@noaa.gov pointOfContact NCCOS Scientific Data Coordinator NCCOS.data@noaa.gov custodian biannually Numeric Data Sets > Water Quality theme CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Pigments > Photosynthetic pigments EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > In situ physical EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Monitoring and assessment EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Ocean Optics > Turbidity EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Ocean Temperature > Water Temperature EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Salinity/Density > Salinity theme CoRIS Theme Thesaurus Environmental Monitoring theme NOS Data Explorer Topic Category COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > US Virgin Islands > St. Croix > St. Croix (17N064W0003) OCEAN BASIN > Atlantic Ocean > Caribbean Sea > Virgin Islands > Virgin Islands > St. Croix (17N064W0003) place CoRIS Place Thesaurus Hydrolab theme DOC/NOAA/NOS/NCCOS > National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Ocean 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 US_CARIB project InPort otherRestrictions Cite As: National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, [Date of Access]: St. Croix, USVI Water Quality Data 2003 - Present [Data Date Range], https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/39615. 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 reference NOAA/NCCOS/CCMA/Biogeography Team when utilizing this data in a report or peer reviewed publication. Additionally, knowledge of how this dataset has been of use and which organizations are utilizing it is of great benefit for ensuring this information continues to meet the needs of the management and research communities. Therefore, it is requested but not mandatory, that any user of this data supply this information to the Program Manager: Timothy Battista (email: tim.battista@noaa.gov). otherRestrictions Distribution Liability: These data were prepared by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, make any warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference therein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. Any views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof. Although all data have been used by NOAA, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by NOAA as to the accuracy of the data and/or related materials. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by NOAA in the use of these data or related materials.NOAA makes no warranty regarding these data, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distributionconstitute such a warranty. NOAA can not assume liability for and damages caused by any errors oromissions in these data, nor as a result of the failure of these data to function on a particular system. unclassified NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) NOAA/NMFS/EDM 39615 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inportserve/waf/noaa/nos/nccos/dmp/pdf/39615.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 oceans -64.67 -64.56 17.75 17.81 | Currentness: Ground Condition 2003-03-01 This work is being conducted in collaboration with the University of Puerto Rico, National Park Service, US Geological Survey, and the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources. false eng false NOAA/NCCOS/CCMA/Biogeography Team Text (Tab Delimited) NCCOS Scientific Data Coordinator NCCOS.data@noaa.gov distributor https://www8.nos.noaa.gov/biogeo_public/water_quality_query.aspx WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link https://www8.nos.noaa.gov/biogeo_public/water_quality_query.aspx Downloadable data download dataset Completeness Report This data consists of multiple water quality measurements across all nearshore marine habitats around St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Sites were randomly selected and stratified by habitat types using NOAA's benthic habitat maps of USVI. Conceptual Consistency Not applicable Site selection begins by stratifying NOAA's nearshore benthic habitat maps into predetermined habitat strata. Utilizing ArcGIS, sites are then randomly selected within strata throughout the region. Using a handheld GPS unit, the boat captain navigates to previously selected sites. A weighted buoy is dropped to mark any site where "live boating" is necessary. Prior to diver deployment, in-situ water quality measurements are taken. Using the Hydrolab Datasonde 4a, measurements are taken at the surface and as close to the bottom as possible. Water quality parameters include: depth (m), temperature (C), conductivity (mS/cm), turbidity (NTU), and chlorophyll a (mg/l). Data caveats- Bottom water quality measurements may not indicate actual depth for a site. The cord for the hydrolab is only 25 m, thus water quality measurements for deep sites reflect measurements "near the bottom". Also, measurements may not be complete due to sensor malfunction or cable connection problems. Process Date Range is 200303 - Present