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Data Management Plan

DMP Template v2.0.1 (2015-01-01)

Please provide the following information, and submit to the NOAA DM Plan Repository.

Reference to Master DM Plan (if applicable)

As stated in Section IV, Requirement 1.3, DM Plans may be hierarchical. If this DM Plan inherits provisions from a higher-level DM Plan already submitted to the Repository, then this more-specific Plan only needs to provide information that differs from what was provided in the Master DM Plan.

URL of higher-level DM Plan (if any) as submitted to DM Plan Repository:
Always left blank

1. General Description of Data to be Managed

1.1. Name of the Data, data collection Project, or data-producing Program:
National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Stratified Random Surveys (StRS) of Coral Demography (Adult and Juvenile Corals) across the Pacific Remote Island Areas from 2014 to 2018
1.2. Summary description of the data:

The data described here result from benthic coral demographic surveys within belt transects of specified length and width for two life stages (juveniles and adults) across the islands and atolls of the Pacific Remote Island Areas from 2014 to 2018. The data provide information on adult coral colony counts, morphology, size, partial mortality (old and recent dead), presence and causation 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 and genus level for juveniles.

A two-stage stratified random sampling (StRS) design was employed to survey the coral reef ecosystems of the Pacific Remote Island Areas from 2014 to 2017, and starting in 2018 a one-stage StRS design was employed. 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 island, reef zone, and depth (i.e., shallow: >0–6 m; mid-depth: >6–18 m; and deep: >18–30 m), as well as reef zone (i.e., forereef, backreef, lagoon, and protected slope; the latter three only at Johnston and Kingman). 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-level estimates and site-to-site comparisons should proceed with caution.

The data were collected as part of the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) and Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD; formerly the Coral Reef Ecosystem Division) led National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) missions around the islands and atolls of the Pacific Remote Island Areas from 2014 to 2018.

Taken From: Item Identification | Abstract
Notes: Only a maximum of 4000 characters will be included.
1.3. Is this a one-time data collection, or an ongoing series of measurements?
One-time data collection
Taken From: Extents / Time Frames | Time Frame Type
Notes: Data collection is considered ongoing if a time frame of type "Continuous" exists.
1.4. Actual or planned temporal coverage of the data:
2015-01-26 to 2015-02-11, 2015-04-08 to 2015-04-28, 2014-03-16 to 2014-03-20, 2016-05-16 to 2016-05-22, 2017-04-02 to 2017-04-05, 2017-04-20 to 2017-04-23, 2018-06-08 to 2018-06-15, 2018-07-28 to 2018-08-11
Taken From: Extents | Time Frame - Start, Time Frame - End
Notes: All time frames from all extent groups are included.
1.5. Actual or planned geographic coverage of the data:
W: -176.6252, E: -159.972386, N: 16.780927, S: -0.382556

Phoenix (Baker and Howland) and Line Islands (Jarvis, Kingman, and Palmyra), and Johnston Atoll. These six of the seven PRIA are routinely surveyed as part of the American Samoa RAMP (ASRAMP) missions (Johnston, Baker and Howland during the first leg of ASRAMP, and Jarvis, Kingman, and Palmyra during the last leg of ASRAMP).

W: 166.59408289, E: 166.657119, N: 19.32384711, S: 19.271031

Wake Island, one of the seven PRIA, is routinely surveyed as part of the Mariana Archipelago RAMP (MARAMP) missions.

W: -160.014993, E: -159.972305, N: -0.36135, S: -0.382327

Jarvis Island

Taken From: Extents | Geographic Area Bounds, Geographic Area Description
Notes: All geographic areas from all extent groups are included.
1.6. Type(s) of data:
(e.g., digital numeric data, imagery, photographs, video, audio, database, tabular data, etc.)
Table (digital)
1.7. Data collection method(s):
(e.g., satellite, airplane, unmanned aerial system, radar, weather station, moored buoy, research vessel, autonomous underwater vehicle, animal tagging, manual surveys, enforcement activities, numerical model, etc.)
No information found
1.8. If data are from a NOAA Observing System of Record, indicate name of system:
Always left blank due to field exemption
1.8.1. If data are from another observing system, please specify:
Always left blank due to field exemption

2. Point of Contact for this Data Management Plan (author or maintainer)

2.1. Name:
Annette M DesRochers
Taken From: Support Roles (Metadata Contact) | Person
Notes: The name of the Person of the most recent Support Role of type "Metadata Contact" is used. The support role must be in effect.
2.2. Title:
Metadata Contact
Always listed as "Metadata Contact"
2.3. Affiliation or facility:
Taken From: Support Roles (Metadata Contact) | Organization
Notes: The name of the Organization of the most recent Support Role of type "Metadata Contact" is used. This field is required if applicable.
2.4. E-mail address:
annette.desrochers@noaa.gov
Notes: The email address is taken from the address listed for the Person assigned as the Metadata Contact in Support Roles.
2.5. Phone number:
(808)725-5461
Notes: The phone number is taken from the number listed for the Person assigned as the Metadata Contact in Support Roles. If the phone number is missing or incorrect, please contact your Librarian to update the Person record.

3. Responsible Party for Data Management

Program Managers, or their designee, shall be responsible for assuring the proper management of the data produced by their Program. Please indicate the responsible party below.

3.1. Name:
Courtney S Couch
Taken From: Support Roles (Data Steward) | Person
Notes: The name of the Person of the most recent Support Role of type "Data Steward" is used. The support role must be in effect.
3.2. Position Title:
Data Steward
Always listed as "Data Steward"

4. Resources

Programs must identify resources within their own budget for managing the data they produce.

4.1. Have resources for management of these data been identified?
Yes
4.2. Approximate percentage of the budget for these data devoted to data management (specify percentage or "unknown"):
Unknown

5. Data Lineage and Quality

NOAA has issued Information Quality Guidelines for ensuring and maximizing the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information which it disseminates.

5.1. Processing workflow of the data from collection or acquisition to making it publicly accessible
(describe or provide URL of description):

Lineage Statement:
The stratified random sampling (StRS) design and belt transect methodology for adult and juvenile corals, employed by the PIFSC Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) since 2013. A two-stage StRS design was employed from 2014 to 2017 and starting in 2018 a one-stage design was employed.

Process Steps:

  • A stratified random sampling (StRS) design was employed to survey the coral reef ecosystems in the region (two-stage StRS from 2014 to 2017 and switched to a one-stage StRS design in 2018. The survey domain encompassed the majority of the mapped area of reef and hard bottom habitats. The stratification scheme included island, reef zone, and depth. Depth categories of shallow (>0-6 m), mid (>6-18 m) and deep (>8-30 m) were also incorporated into the stratification scheme. Allocation of sampling effort was proportional to strata area. Sites were randomly selected within each stratum. A geographic information system (GIS) and digital spatial databases of benthic habitats (NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science NCCOS), reef zones (IKONOS satellite imagery, NDGC 1998) bathymetry (NDGC 1998, ESD benthic mapping data), and marine reserve boundaries (NOAA) were used to facilitate spatial delineation of the sampling survey domain, strata, and sample units. Map resolution was such that the survey domain could be overlain by a grid using a GIS with individual cells of size 50 m by 50 m in area. The two-stage sampling scheme following Cochran (1977) was employed to control for spatial variation in population parameters at scales smaller than the grid cell minimum mapping unit (2,500 sq. meters). Grid cells containing hard-bottom reef habitats were designated as primary sample units (referred to as sites), while the second-stage sample unit was defined as a diver visual belt transect of fixed area (10 sq. meters or less). The primary sample units were the same for both sampling schemes (one-stage and two-stage). (Citation: Swanson D, Bailey H, Schumacher B, Ferguson M, Vargas-Angel B. 2018. Ecosystem Sciences Division standard operating procedures: data collection for rapid ecological assessment benthic surveys. U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA-TM-NMFS-PIFSC-71, 63 p. doi:10.25923/39jh-8993.)
  • At each site, benthic Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) surveys were conducted within two 10 sq. meter belt transects from 2014 to 2017 and within one 10 sq. meter transect starting in 2018. Transects were 18 meters in length. Adult coral colonies (>=5 cm) were surveyed within four (1.0 x 2.5 m) segments at 5 meter increments along the 18 meter transect in the following manner: 0-2.5 m (segment 1); 5.0-7.5 m (segment 3); 10-12.5 m (segment 5); and 15 - 17.5 m (segment 7). All colonies whose center fell within 0.5 m on either side of each transect line were identified to lowest taxonomic level possible (species or genus), measured for size (maximum diameter to nearest cm), and morphology was noted. In addition, partial mortality and condition of each colony was assessed. Partial mortality was estimated as percent of the colony in terms of old dead and recent dead. The cause of recent mortality was identified if possible. The condition of each colony including disease (not attributed to recent tissue loss) and bleaching was noted along with the extent (percent of colony affected) and level of severity (range from moderate to acute). The lowest taxonomic level of coral identification was genus except for a select number of species consistently identified to species by all divers conducting the surveys. The number of species may change for each survey year depending on the experience and training of the benthic divers conducting the surveys. The list of coral species is included for each survey year. Within the same four segments per transect as the adult coral surveys, crustose coralline algae (CCA) diseases and Alcyonarian disease are surveyed. In each segment, each occurrence of a specific disease is identified and the lesion is measured (maximum diameter). In addition to the adult coral surveys, CCA diseases, and Alcyonarian disease, the presence of other Anthozoans (other cnidarians including Alcyonareans, Zoantharians, coralliomorphs and Antipatharians) are also noted. These data exist as individual records coded for each group. This portion of the survey was not conducted in 2018. Juvenile coral colonies (<5 cm) were surveyed within three (1.0 x 1.0 m) segments along the same two transects from 2014 to 2017 or along the single transect in 2018: 0-1.0 m (segment 1); 5.0-6.0 m (segment 3); and 10.0-11.0 m (segment 5). Juvenile colonies were distinguished in the field by a distinct tissue and skeletal boundary (not a fragment of a larger colony). Each juvenile colony was identified to lowest taxonomic level (genus or species) and measured for size by recording both the maximum and perpendicular diameter to the nearest 2 mm. (Citation: Swanson D, Bailey H, Schumacher B, Ferguson M, Vargas-Angel B. 2018. Ecosystem Sciences Division standard operating procedures: data collection for rapid ecological assessment benthic surveys. U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA-TM-NMFS-PIFSC-71, 63 p. doi:10.25923/39jh-8993.)
  • Raw data include individual colony records with the corresponding physical data which reflect the description of the site. An individual colony record for adult corals includes colony species/genus identification, morphology, maximum diameter (cm), percent old dead, percent recent dead, cause of recent dead general category, cause of recent dead specific category, condition, extent and severity. Juvenile coral colony records include colony species/genus identification, morphology, maximum diameter (cm) and perpendicular diameter (cm). For species level identification of adult and juvenile corals, check the species list for each year to ensure species identification across all divers conducting the surveys. Individual records for crustose coralline algae diseases use the taxon code CALG and the Alcyonarian disease uses the taxon code for the octocoral genus. The colony length measurement is the maximum diameter of the lesion for both disease types. The raw presence/absence data for other Anthozoans include the general identification code and 0 or -1 to represent absence or presence respectively. The physical data for all records includes the following: region, island, site, date (day, month, year), latitude (dd), longitude (dd), transect, segment, segment length, segment width, minimum depth (ft), and maximum depth. (Citation: Swanson D, Bailey H, Schumacher B, Ferguson M, Vargas-Angel B. 2018. Ecosystem Sciences Division standard operating procedures: data collection for rapid ecological assessment benthic surveys. U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA Technical Memorandum NOAA-TM-NMFS-PIFSC-71, 63 p. doi:10.25923/39jh-8993.)
5.1.1. If data at different stages of the workflow, or products derived from these data, are subject to a separate data management plan, provide reference to other plan:
Always left blank
5.2. Quality control procedures employed
(describe or provide URL of description):

Quality control of the data occurred at a few stages from data entry to data ingestion into the Oracle database. Observations, including species identification, are periodically checked during expeditions for consistency between and among divers. Data entry is usually conducted on the same day as the surveys using a data entry interface with several data controls employed, and are quality controlled by individual divers checking entry errors at a separate time. Following a mission, the data is then run through rigorous quality control checks by the data management team before the data are migrated to the Oracle database. The data is quality controlled against the physical data sheets following data entry. There are also several queries in the MS Access / Oracle database to flag errors based on pre-defined criteria. Given the size of the data set, there remains some possibility of typographical or other errors.

6. Data Documentation

The EDMC Data Documentation Procedural Directive requires that NOAA data be well documented, specifies the use of ISO 19115 and related standards for documentation of new data, and provides links to resources and tools for metadata creation and validation.

6.1. Does metadata comply with EDMC Data Documentation directive?
No
Notes: All required DMP fields must be populated and valid to comply with the directive.
6.1.1. If metadata are non-existent or non-compliant, please explain:

Missing/invalid information:

  • 1.7. Data collection method(s)
Notes: Required DMP fields that are not populated or invalid are listed here.
6.2. Name of organization or facility providing metadata hosting:
NMFS Office of Science and Technology
Always listed as "NMFS Office of Science and Technology"
6.2.1. If service is needed for metadata hosting, please indicate:
Always left blank
6.3. URL of metadata folder or data catalog, if known:
Always listed as the URL to the InPort Data Set record
6.4. Process for producing and maintaining metadata
(describe or provide URL of description):
Metadata produced and maintained in accordance with the NOAA Data Documentation Procedural Directive: https://nosc.noaa.gov/EDMC/DAARWG/docs/EDMC_PD-Data_Documentation_v1.pdf
Always listed with the above statement

7. Data Access

NAO 212-15 states that access to environmental data may only be restricted when distribution is explicitly limited by law, regulation, policy (such as those applicable to personally identifiable information or protected critical infrastructure information or proprietary trade information) or by security requirements. The EDMC Data Access Procedural Directive contains specific guidance, recommends the use of open-standard, interoperable, non-proprietary web services, provides information about resources and tools to enable data access, and includes a Waiver to be submitted to justify any approach other than full, unrestricted public access.

7.1. Do these data comply with the Data Access directive?
Yes
7.1.1. If the data are not to be made available to the public at all, or with limitations, has a Waiver (Appendix A of Data Access directive) been filed?
No
7.1.2. If there are limitations to public data access, describe how data are protected from unauthorized access or disclosure:

None

7.2. Name of organization of facility providing data access:
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)
Taken From: Support Roles (Distributor) | Organization
Notes: The name of the Organization of the most recent Support Role of type "Distributor" is used. The support role must be in effect. This information is not required if an approved access waiver exists for this data.
7.2.1. If data hosting service is needed, please indicate:
Taken From: Data Management | If data hosting service is needed, please indicate
Notes: This field is required if a Distributor has not been specified.
7.2.2. URL of data access service, if known:
Taken From: Distribution Info | Download URL
Notes: All URLs listed in the Distribution Info section will be included. This field is required if applicable.
7.3. Data access methods or services offered:

Data can be accessed online via the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Ocean Archive.

7.4. Approximate delay between data collection and dissemination:
Unknown
7.4.1. If delay is longer than latency of automated processing, indicate under what authority data access is delayed:

8. Data Preservation and Protection

The NOAA Procedure for Scientific Records Appraisal and Archive Approval describes how to identify, appraise and decide what scientific records are to be preserved in a NOAA archive.

8.1. Actual or planned long-term data archive location:
(Specify NCEI-MD, NCEI-CO, NCEI-NC, NCEI-MS, World Data Center (WDC) facility, Other, To Be Determined, Unable to Archive, or No Archiving Intended)
NCEI_MD
8.1.1. If World Data Center or Other, specify:
Taken From: Data Management | Actual or planned long-term data archive location
Notes: This field is required if archive location is World Data Center or Other.
8.1.2. If To Be Determined, Unable to Archive or No Archiving Intended, explain:
Taken From: Data Management | If To Be Determined, Unable to Archive or No Archiving Intended, explain
Notes: This field is required if archive location is To Be Determined, Unable to Archive, or No Archiving Intended.
8.2. Data storage facility prior to being sent to an archive facility (if any):
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center - Honolulu, HI
Taken From: Physical Location | Organization, City, State, Location Description
Notes: Physical Location Organization, City and State are required, or a Location Description is required.
8.3. Approximate delay between data collection and submission to an archive facility:
Unknown
8.4. How will the data be protected from accidental or malicious modification or deletion prior to receipt by the archive?
Discuss data back-up, disaster recovery/contingency planning, and off-site data storage relevant to the data collection

The data is captured in several locations: physical data sheets, MS Access cruise database, and PIFSC Oracle database. The physical data sheets are housed at PIFSC. The MS Access cruise database is regularly backed up by the cruise data manager while at sea. The PIFSC Oracle database is regularly backed up by PIFSC ITS.

9. Additional Line Office or Staff Office Questions

Line and Staff Offices may extend this template by inserting additional questions in this section.

Always left blank