American Samoa: coral reef monitoring interactive map and information layers primarily from 2010 surveys

This interactive map displays American Samoa data collected by the NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED) during the Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (RAMP) cruises. The information presented is a combination of standard CRED monitoring summary data and more specific layers generated by request from resource managers and scientists in American Samoa. The fish and benthos data were collected either by rapid ecological assessment (REA) surveys conducted during 2010, or by towed-diver surveys conducted during 2008 and 2010. The map is accompanied by the summary data used to generate the data layers (as excel attachments) and is available in the form of an interactive pdf with layers to make it usable by those without GIS access.

The information layers included in this interactive PDF were initially developed to augment the existing Biogeographic Characterization and Marine Protected Area (MPA) network design analysis conducted by the NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS). The NCCOS analysis and this product contribute to the Territory's overall goal to protect 20% of the territorial coral reefs as no-take MPAs to protect key coral reef species, and the layers are of particular interest to local resource managers as they are key ecosystem components that affect ecosystem processes, and therefore are essential to design the most effective MPA network.

FGDC upload, AMD 2015-06-16

Loaded by FGDC Metadata Uploader, batch 6236, 06-16-2015 11:42

The following FGDC sections are not currently supported in InPort, but were preserved and will be included in the FGDC export:

- Taxonomy (FGDC:taxonomy)

- Spatial Reference Information (FGDC:spref),

Information about the original data collections from CRED's Pacific RAMP cruises to American Samoa in 2008 and 2010 can be found in the NOAA Ship Hi'ialakai's cruise reports on the PIFSC website, and in the metadata records for each survey method, island, and survey year:

Hi'ialakai, Cruise ID HA-08-02, 18 February - 19 March 2008: http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/library/pubs/cruise/Hiialakai/CRHI0802-REB.pdf

Hi'ialakai, Cruise ID HA-10-01, Leg 2, 17 February - 23 March 2010: http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/library/pubs/cruise/Hiialakai/CRHA1001II-KD.pdf

REA 2010 Metadata (surveys conducted 17 February - 21 March 2010: http://www.coris.noaa.gov/geoportal/rest/find/document?searchText=region%3AAmSam%20OR%20region%3A%22American%20Samoa%22%20AND%20CRED%20AND%20Rapid%20AND%20Ecological%20AND%20Assessment%20AND%20Reef%20AND%20Fish%20AND%20Survey%20AND%20American%20AND%20Samoa%20AND%202010%20NOT%20Intercept%20NOT%20Belt&start=1&max=25&f=html&dojo.preventCache=1399414232006

Towed diver 2008 and 2010 Metadata (surveys conducted 18 February - 11 March 2008, and 23 February - 20 March 2010): http://www.coris.noaa.gov/geoportal/rest/find/document?searchText=region%3AAmSam%20OR%20region%3A%22American%20Samoa%22%20AND%20CRED%20AND%20towed%20AND%20diver%20AND%20(2010%20OR%202008)%20NOT%20validation&start=1&max=25&f=html&dojo.preventCache=1399415031833

To use the interactive PDF make sure the layers view is enabled in Adobe Reader: View menu=>Show hide=>Navigation Panes=>Layers, or View menu=>Navigation Panels=>Layers (depending on your version of Adobe Reader).

To view a layer click the box next to the title. It is recommended that only one layer be turned on at a time.

The data is available as an attachment in the PDF: View menu=>Navigation Panels=>Attachments, or View menu=>Show hide=>Navigation Panes=>Attachments.

IRC

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.

Not applicable

None

Please acknowledge the Coral Reef Ecosystem Division as the source of this information; Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Adobe Acrobat PDF with layers and attached excel files.

Only hard-bottom habitats from 0 to 30 meters are surveyed due to NOAA diving restrictions. The survey sites were randomly selected using a systematic process based on available habitat and bathymetric data. However, although efforts are made to include broad spatial coverage, weather conditions and other environmental constraints may have prevented the team from surveying exposed reef areas.

The same methods of data collection were used at each of the sites surveyed at this location, and scientists/divers are required to complete training and pass identification examinations prior to conducting surveys. Divers typically enter their data into a database and perform quality assurance and control checks on the same day the data were collected. Data are examined for diver bias, outliers, and other discrepancies. Following a mission, data are processed, run through a series of validation checks, and then migrated into CREDs master database.

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