31196 Vatia: benthic images Data Set Published / External 58564 Benthic Missions Project On Going 2022 Jurisdictional managers have expressed concerns that nutrients from the village of Vatia, Tutuila, American Samoa, are having an adverse effect on the adjacent coral reef ecosystem. Excess nutrient loads promote increases in algal growth that can have deleterious effects on corals, such as benthic algae outcompeting and overgrowing corals. Nitrogen and phosphorus can also directly impact corals by lowering fertilization success, and reducing both photosynthesis and calcification rates. Land-based contributions of nutrients come from a variety of sources; in Vatia the most likely sources are poor wastewater management from piggeries and septic systems. NOAA scientists conducted benthic surveys to establish a baseline against which to compare changes in the algal and coral assemblages in response to land-based sources of pollution, including nutrient fluxes. Photoquadrat benthic images were collected in 2015 and 2020 only, via belt transect surveys of coral demography according to protocols established by NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) in 2015. In 2015, the survey implemented a two-stage stratified random sampling (StRS) design to assess the Vatia benthic coral reef community, and a one-stage StRS design in 2020. 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 cardinal position (i.e., north and south) and depth (i.e., shallow: >0–6 m and mid-depth: >6–18 m). Sampling effort allocation was determined based on strata area and sites randomly located within strata. The StRS design effectively reduces estimate variance through stratification using environmental covariates and by sampling more sites rather than more transects per site. Therefore, site-to-site comparisons should proceed with caution. These data were generated from benthic surveys undertaken in Vatia Bay to establish a comprehensive baseline, status, and trends for benthic composition and coral demographics, and are part of a broader NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) funded project led by NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) and ESD to assess eutrophication impacts on coral ecosystem health in the bay. 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. Vargas-Angel B, Schumacher BD. 2018. Baseline surveys for coral reef community structure and demographics in Vatia Bay and Faga'alu Bay, American Samoa. Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, PIFSC Special Publication, SP-18-002, 38 p. https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/SP-PIFSC-18-002. and Vargas-Ángel B, Huntington B. 2020. Status and Trends Assessment of Benthic Coral Reef Communities in Vatia Bay, American Samoa, 2015–2020. Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, PIFSC Data Report, DR-20-020, 34p. https://doi.org/10.25923/r7dd-wg50, https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/27437 Between 2015 and 2018, NOAA, NCCOS collected water quality sampling for nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, urea, total nitrogen, orthophosphorus, and total phosphorus data as part of this project to quantify the nutrient dynamics of the Bay. These additional data are described separately by the NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS); see citation below. Whitall, D, M Curtis, A Mason, B Vargas-Angel. 2019. Excess Nutrients in Vatia Bay, American Samoa: Spatiotemporal Variability, Source Identification and Impact on Coral Reef Ecosystems. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 266. Silver Spring. 69 pages. doi:10.25923/j8cp-x570 Theme ISO 19115 Topic Category biota Theme CRCP Project 31090 Theme CRCP Project 31259 Theme CRCP Project Eutrophication Impacts on Coral Ecosystem Health in Vatia Theme CRCP Project Status and trends assessment for LBSP impacts on reef communities in Faga'alu Bay and Vatia Bay Theme CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus Visual Images > Habitats Theme CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals Theme CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment Theme CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Baseline studies Theme CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > In Situ Biological Theme CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs Theme CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology Theme CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > Benthic biology Theme CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Coral Theme CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Coral Communities Theme NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS PHOTOQUADRAT IMAGES Theme NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS imagery Theme NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS Coral Reef Conservation Program Theme NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS US DOC; NOAA; NMFS; Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center; Ecosystem Sciences Division; Coral Reef Ecosystem Program Theme CRED Theme CREP Theme Coral Reef Ecosystem Division Theme Coral Reef Ecosystem Program Theme PIFSC Theme Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Spatial CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > Tutuila Island > Vatia Bay (14S170W0028) Spatial CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Tutuila Island > Vatia Bay (14S170W0028) Spatial NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS South Pacific Ocean Spatial Vatia Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Honolulu HI USA Data Set JPG Files None Planned Image (digital) Raw data include 30 benthic photographs per survey site. Included in the archive package is a list of survey sites, including site id, location (latitude/longitude), and survey date, where photoquads were collected. The file naming convention for each photo/image is [SITE]_[YEAR]_[TRANSECT]_[PHOTO_NUMBER].JPG (for example: TUT-903_2012_A_01.JPG). 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. PIFSC Coral Reef Ecosystem Program and funded by the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Digital camera Not applicable Not applicable 56466 Published / External Data Table Yes Entity definitions of the photoquadrat site information data table. 1 MP2006_Vatia_Images images No No Active Photoquadrat images from benthic surveys in Vatia, American Samoa during the 2020 fly-in mission. This source imagery was analyzed with CoralNet to measure benthic cover at sites. 4 DATE_ DATE No No Active date (day, month, year) photograph was taken 8 SITE TEXT No No Active Unique id for survey site 9 LATITUDE NUMERIC No No Active Latitude (dd) of the survey site where photoquads were collected. 10 LONGITUDE NUMERIC No No Active Longitude (dd) of the survey site where photoquads were collected. Data Steward 2015 Person Vargas-Angel, Bernardo bernardo.vargasangel@noaa.gov https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2001-463X 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA (808)725-5423 Email preferred Distributor 2016 Organization NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information NCEI ncei.info@noaa.gov https://ror.org/04r0wrp59 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. Online Resource Distributor 2015 2016 Person Kanemura, Troy T troy.kanemura@noaa.gov 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA (808)725-5422 Email preferred Metadata Contact 2021 Person Luers, Lori H lori.luers@noaa.gov 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA Metadata Contact 2015 Person DesRochers, Annette M annette.desrochers@noaa.gov 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA (808)725-5461 8 am - 5 pm Email preferred Originator 2015 Organization NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program CRCP 1305 East West Highway 10th Floor Silver Spring MD 20910-3281 (301) 713-3155 https://coralreef.noaa.gov Link to the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program website Online Resource Funders Originator 2015 Organization Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center PIFSC pifsc.info@noaa.gov https://ror.org/02apffz65 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA 808-725-5360 https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center homepage Online Resource 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Point of Contact 2015 Person Vargas-Angel, Bernardo bernardo.vargasangel@noaa.gov https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2001-463X 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA (808)725-5423 Email preferred Ground Condition Vatia Bay, Tutuila, American Samoa -170.67555555556 -170.66666666667 -14.24305555556 -14.25138888889 Vatia Bay, Tutuila, American Samoa Range 2015-11-02 2015-11-12 benthic images collected during belt transect surveys in 2015. Range 2020-01-01 2020-01-30 benthic images collected during belt transect surveys in 2020. Unclassified Not applicable Not applicable NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) Data Sharing Recommendations, version 9.0 updated August 12, 2015: The ESD welcomes the opportunity to collaborate on research issues contributing to the scientific basis for better management of marine ecosystems. The ESD has a very diverse set of field activities that generates large volumes of data using an array of data collection protocols. The following recommendations are for your consideration as you use this data: 1) Data analyses should take all field exigencies into account. The most effective way to do this would be active collaboration with ESD principal investigators. 2) In all presentations, product releases, or publications using data generated by ESD, proper acknowledgement of both ESD and the individuals responsible for data collection is expected. Citing the DOI (if available) is preferred, a non-DOI example is listed below. 3) If you collect or generate data for the same study areas, ESD requests that you share relevant information on complimentary data collections. 4) Those receiving data are strongly urged to inform the ESD Data Management Team of any errors and discrepancies that are discovered during the course of using these data. They are further urged to bring to the attention of the Team all problems and difficulties encountered in using these data. This information is necessary in order to improve the collections and to facilitate more efficient and economical data processing and retrieval. The users are asked to supply copies of any missing data that may be located, and to provide information as to significant subsets and special aggregations of data that are developed in using the material provided. Example citation: "This publication makes use of data products provided by the Coral Reef Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with funding support from the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP). The analysis and interpretations presented here are solely that of the current authors." Data can be accessed online via the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Ocean Archive, link in the Distribution Information. None Please cite NOAA Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) when using the data. Example Cite as: Vargas-Angel, Bernardo; Ecosystem Sciences Division; Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (2022). Benthic Surveys in Vatia, American Samoa since 2015: benthic images collected during belt transect surveys in 2015 and 2020. [access date] None None https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0146680 2016 Organization NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information https://ror.org/04r0wrp59 Site_Information_(Vatia_2015).csv List of survey sites, including site id, location (latitude/longitude), and survey date, where photoquads were collected. 2016-05-11T00:00:00 csv (comma-separated values) CSV - Comma Separated Values (Text) https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0146680 2016 Organization NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information https://ror.org/04r0wrp59 Photoquadrat benthic images collected in 2015 at 18 stratified randomly selected sites (30 photos per site) in Vatia Bay, Tutuila, American Samoa via belt transect surveys of coral demography by the NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP). JPG JPEG https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0259494 2016 Organization NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information https://ror.org/04r0wrp59 Site_Information_Vatia_2020.csv List of survey sites, including site id, location (latitude/longitude), and survey date, where photoquadrat benthic images collected in 2020 at 24 stratified randomly selected sites (30 photos per site). .csv CSV - Comma Separated Values (Text) https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0259494 2016 Organization NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information https://ror.org/04r0wrp59 Photoquadrat benthic images collected in 2020 at 24 stratified randomly selected sites (30 photos per site) in Vatia Bay, Tutuila, American Samoa via belt transect surveys of coral demography by the Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) of the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC). https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/projects/detail?key=245 Online Resource HTML NCCOS Project Details: Nutrient Dynamics and Changes to Benthic Communities in Vatia, American Samoa https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/10399 Online Resource PDF Informative flyer illustrating impacts of land-based sources of pollution in Vatia Bay by the NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program. https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/cred/corals.php Online Resource PHP Overview of NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program's methods to assess corals. PIFSC network/file system: T:\Cruise\CruiseData\MP1602\Optical\TUT\REA\BENTHIC T:\Cruise\CruiseData\MP2006\Optical\TUT\REA\BENTHIC Benthic Image collection was conducted by experienced benthic survey personnel who have been trained. Handheld GPS units were used to locate sites and mark site locations. Not applicable Site GPS location and depth are appropriately collected to allow spatiotemporal comparisons. Complete; photoquads were taken at all sites surveyed. On occasions instrument malfunction or sea conditions may preclude the collection of 30 benthic images per site. Only forereef, hard bottom habitats were surveyed. Survey methods were consistent across all sites. Methods used in 2015 were slightly different from the current standard protocol used in 2020. Instrumentation and camera setting are updated periodically to improve image quality. An optical validation QC procedure is employed to verify number of images, per site and file name. Also, image color correction is implemented to improve image quality. Benthic images and the file structure are quality controlled by CREP personnel before they are migrated and integrated into CREP's master optical directory on the PIFSC network. Yes Unknown Yes No Unknown NCEI-MD Unknown NOAA IRC and NOAA Fisheries ITS resources and assets. Benthic photographs were collected during belt transect surveys of corals by the NOAA Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) following the same protocol to that established by the NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Plan (NCRMP). Baseline surveys for coral reef community structure and demographics in Vatia and Faga'alu Bay, American Samoa Organization NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Originator https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/17369 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 Ecosystem Sciences Division Standard Operating Procedures: Data Collection for Rapid Ecological Assessment Benthic Surveys, 2019 Update Organization NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Originator https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/23951 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 Ecosystem Sciences Division standard operating procedures: data collection for rapid ecological assessment benthic surveys Organization NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Originator https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/18267 NOAA technical memorandum NMFS-PIFSC ; 71 Swanson, D., Bailey, H., Schumacher, B., Ferguson, M., and B. Vargas-Ángel. 2018. Ecosystem Sciences Division Standard Operating Procedures: Data Collection for Rapid Ecological Assessment Benthic Surveys. NOAA Tech. Memo. NMFS-PIFSC-71, 63 p. https://doi.org/10.25923/39jh-8993 Status and Trends Assessment of Benthic Coral Reef Communities in Vatia Bay, American Samoa, 2015–2020 Organization NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Originator https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/27437 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 2015 In 2015, the survey implemented a two-stage stratified random sampling (StRS) design. 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 cardinal position (i.e., north and south) and depth (i.e., shallow: >0–6 m and mid-depth: >6–18 m). Sampling effort allocation was determined based on strata area and sites randomly located within strata. The StRS design effectively reduces estimate variance through stratification using environmental covariates and by sampling more sites rather than more transects per site. Therefore, site-to-site comparisons should proceed with caution. At each site, belt-transects were the focal point of the biological surveys. In 2015, fifteen images were collected along each, two haphazardly laid, 18-m transects. Still photographs were collected to record the benthic community composition at predetermined points along belt transects with a high-resolution digital camera mounted on a pole. Photographs were taken every 1 m from the 1 m to the 15 m mark. This work generates 30 photographs per site, which are later analyzed by ESD staff and partners using the computer program CoralNet. This analysis is the basis for estimating benthic cover and composition at each site. In 2016, American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) collected benthic images approximately every 3 months at five shallow sites where permanent transects were established. DMWR forwarded the images to ESD for analysis and assess temporal changes in benthic cover. These data are reported separately. Survey protocols followed the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program methodologies historically implemented by NOAA's Ecosystem Sciences Division. Person Swanson, Dione W dione.swanson@noaa.gov 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA (808)725-5417 Ecosystem Sciences Division Standard Operating Procedures: Data Collection for Rapid Ecological Assessment Benthic Surveys, 2019 Update 2020 In 2020 the survey implemented a one-stage stratified random sampling (StRS) design. 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 cardinal position (i.e., north and south) and depth (i.e., shallow: >0–6 m and mid-depth: >6–18 m). Sampling effort allocation was determined based on strata area and sites randomly located within strata. The StRS design effectively reduces estimate variance through stratification using environmental covariates and by sampling more sites rather than more transects per site. Therefore, site-to-site comparisons should proceed with caution. One, haphazardly laid, 30-m belt-transect was the focal point of the photoquadrat survey in 2020, Still photographs were collected to record the benthic community composition with a high-resolution digital camera mounted on a pole. Thirty photographs were taken every meter from the 1 m to the 30 m. This work generates 30 photographs per site, which are later analyzed by ESD staff and partners using the computer program CoralNet. Survey protocols followed the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program methodologies historically implemented by NOAA's Ecosystem Sciences Division. Person Winston, Morgan S morgan.winston@noaa.gov 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA (808)725-5480 Ecosystem Sciences Division Standard Operating Procedures: Data Collection for Rapid Ecological Assessment Benthic Surveys, 2019 Update 56466 Entity 31611 Data Set Cross Reference 30771 Data Set Cross Reference gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:31196 Annette DesRochers 2016-03-14T21:36:02 SysAdmin InPortAdmin 2026-03-04T19:17:28 2022-09-19 Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center PIFSC 1845 Wasp Blvd. Honolulu HI 96818 USA 808-725-5300 https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 1001 Public No No 2022-08-26 1 Year 2023-08-26 Raw data include 30 benthic photographs per survey site.