39224
Integrated ecosystem assessment of Vieques, Puerto Rico Benthic Composition Assessment and Monitoring Data
VQS_habitat_metadata_0807
Data Set
Published / External
37207
US_CARIB
Project
In Work
2007-06
This fish and benthic composition database is the result of a multifaceted effort described below.The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Biogeography Branch, in consultation with NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration (ORandR) and other local and regional experts, is conducting an ecological characterization of the marine ecosystem around Vieques Island, Puerto Rico. The assessment will support effective management and conservation of marine resources in Vieques as a whole. To date a spatially comprehensive assessment of coral reef and hardbottom habitat around Vieques has been lacking. To fill this gap, the Biogeography Branch is expanding long term monitoring efforts to Vieques to collect detailed information about the benthic habitats, fish, and invertebrate communities. Spatially comprehensive information on reefs and hardbottom is vital to future management of the marine resources around Vieques. The collected data will be used to quantify the abundance and spatial distribution of fish, corals, and benthic invertebrates on hardbottom habitats around Vieques. Further, with regular monitoring, changes in the composition and condition of Vieques reefs over time can be detected.Data is collected using established protocols and monitoring efforts consistent with NOAA's National Coral Reef Monitoring Program and the Biogeography Branch's long-term monitoring efforts in southwest Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands since 2000 and 2001, respectively. The intent of this work is: 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 associated benthic composition parameters; and 3) To use this information to establish the knowledge base necessary for enacting management decisions in a spatial setting. It is critical, with recent changes in land and maritime use in Vieques (i.e., transfer of former Navy lands to the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Municipality in Vieques, and the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust) that action is taken now to accurately describe and characterize the fish/macro-invertebrate populations in these areas.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, 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 used to select reef/hardbottom habitat that is further stratified by proximity to former land use and geographic side of the island (i.e., north vs. south) 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. At each site, fish, macro-invertebrates, and benthic composition information is then quantified following standardized protocols. By relating the data collected in the field back to the habitat maps and bathymetric models, the Biogeography Branch 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 Vieques and the other locations. 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-invertebrates (conch, lobster, Diadema); 2) To relate this information to in-situ data collected on associated benthic composition parameters; and 3) To use this information to establish the knowledge base necessary for enacting management decisions in a spatial setting.
871
This work is being conducted in collaboration with NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration.
Theme
ISO 19115 Topic Category
biota
Theme
ISO 19115 Topic Category
environment
Theme
ISO 19115 Topic Category
oceans
Theme
CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus
Numeric Data Sets > Biology
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Benthic Habitat
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Reef Habitat > Description
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Algal cover
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Calcareous macroalgae
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Coralline algae
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Crustose coralline algae
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Encrusting macroalgae
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Fleshy macroalgae
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Turf algae
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Coral Diseases
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Coral Diseases > Bleaching
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 > Benthos analysis
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Benthos analysis > Quadrat monitoring
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Benthos analysis > Quadrat monitoring > In situ
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Benthos analysis > Transect monitoring
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Benthos analysis > Transect monitoring > Belt transect
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > In situ biological
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Monitoring and assessment
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Rapid assessment studies
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 > Biodiversity
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology > Coral cover
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology > Habitats
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology > Hard coral cover
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology > Hard coral cover Dead percentage
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology > Hard coral cover Live percentage
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology > Octocoral cover
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology > Rugosity
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Invertebrates > Census > Population density
Theme
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Marine Invertebrates > Macroinvertebrates
Theme
NOS Data Explorer Topic Category
Environmental Monitoring
Spatial
CoRIS Place Thesaurus
COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Puerto Rico > Vieques > Vieques Island (18N065W0002)
Spatial
CoRIS Place Thesaurus
OCEAN BASIN > Atlantic Ocean > Caribbean Sea /North Atlantic Ocean > Puerto Rico > Vieques Island >Vieques Island (18N065W0002)
National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science
Silver Spring
MD
Data Set
One time only
We supply percent cover, relative abundance, size, and composition of benthic communities. This information is collected across all nearshore habitat types. In addition, we provide photographs of many of the taxa. For specific information please see the data dictionary available on the database website.
NOAA/NCCOS/CCMA/Biogeography Branch
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.
This is a cooperative effort between NOAA's Biogeography Branch and NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration
Data Steward
2007-06
Position
NCCOS Scientific Data Coordinator
NCCOS.data@noaa.gov
Distributor
2007-06
Position
NCCOS Scientific Data Coordinator
NCCOS.data@noaa.gov
Metadata Contact
2007-06
Position
NCCOS Scientific Data Coordinator
NCCOS.data@noaa.gov
Point of Contact
2007-06
Position
NCCOS Scientific Data Coordinator
NCCOS.data@noaa.gov
Principal Investigator
2007-06
Person
Jeffrey, Chris
chris.jeffrey@noaa.gov
Ground Condition
-65.62
-65.27
18.19
18.07
Continuing
2007-06
Unclassified
None
Please reference NOAA/NCCOS/CCMA/Biogeography Branch when utilizing These 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: Laurie Bauer (laurie.bauer@noaa.gov).
http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/bpdmWeb/queryMain.aspx
Downloadable data
tab delimited text file
Text (Tab Delimited)
http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/ecosystems/coralreef/vieques/
Online Resource
http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/bpdmWeb/queryMain.aspx
Online Resource
2014-08-07
Date that the source FGDC record was last modified.
2017-04-05
Converted from Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (version FGDC-STD-001-1998) using 'fgdc_to_inport_xml.pl' script. Contact Tyler Christensen (NOS) for details.
2017-08-14
Partial upload of Maintenance Note field only.
These data consist of multiple fish community surveys across all nearshore marine habitats around La Parguera, Puerto Rico. Sites were randomly selected and stratified by habitat types using NOAA's benthic habitat maps of Puerto Rico.
Not applicable
1
Ten strata were developed to encompass two criteria. Five former land use zones were defined, from west to east, as the Naval Ammunition Facility (aka Naval Ammunition Support Detachment), the Civilian Area (CA), the Vieques Naval Training Range (VNTR, includes the Eastern Maneuver Area [EMA] and western portion of the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training Facility [AFWTF]), the Live Impact Area (LIA), and the Punta Este Conservation Zone (PECZ). The water out to 3 nm off of the land use boundaries was designated as the survey area for a total area of approximately 500 square kilometers. Each zone was further subdivided into north and south regions for a total of ten strata. The number of sites allocated to each strata was dependent on the amount of hardbottom within the strata, and sites were randomly selected within each strata. 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. Once on site, divers are deployed and maintain contact with each other throughout the entire census. One diver is responsible for collecting data on the benthic composition. The habitat diver follows the belt-transect diver and records data on small-scale benthic habitat composition and structure along the 25m transect. The habitat diver places a 1m2 quadrat divided into 100 (10 x 10cm) smaller squares (1 square equals 1 percent cover) at 5 separate positions. Each position is randomly chosen before entering the water such that there is one random point within every 5m interval along the transect. Percent cover is obtained as if looking at the quadrat in a two dimensional plane (i.e. a photograph) vs. three dimensions where percent cover could add up to greater than 100%. Data are collected on the following: 1) Logistic information - diver name, dive buddy, date, time of survey, site code, and meter numbers at which the quadrat is placed. 2) Habitat structure - to characterize the benthic habitats of the dive site, the habitat diver first categorizes the habitat structure of the site: hard, soft or mangrove. 3) Proximity of structure - on seagrass and sand sites, the habitat diver records the absence or presence of reef or hard structure within 3m of the belt transect. A score of zero (0) indicates that no reef or other hard structure is present; one (1) indicates that a reef or hard structure smaller than 4m2 is present; and (2) indicates that a reef or hard structure larger than 4m2 is present within 3m of the diver. The point-count diver also uses this scoring system to record the absence, presence, and proximity of reef or hard structures within their cylinder. 4) Transect depth profile - the depth at each quadrat position. Depth is measured with a digital depth gauge to the nearest 1ft. (continued...)
2007-06-01T00:00:00
2
(continued from above) 5) Abiotic footprint - defined as the percent cover (to the nearest 1 percent) of sand, rubble, hard bottom, and fine sediments within a 1m2 quadrat. Rubble refers to rocks and coral fragments that are moveable; immovable rocks are considered hard bottom. The percent cover given as a part of the abiotic footprint should total 100 percent. In a seagrass area for example, despite the fact that seagrass may provide 50 percent cover the underlying substrate is 100 percent sand so this is what is recorded. To estimate percent cover, the habitat diver first positions the quadrat at the chosen meter mark along the transect tape. If the meter mark is an odd number, then the quadrat is placed on left side of the tape; if even, it is placed on the right. Next, the habitat diver lays the quadrat along the substrate (regardless of the slope) and estimates percent cover based on a two-dimensional (planar) view (e.g. if bottom is sloping, the quadrat is not held horizontally). Also, the diver should try to use the same planar view for all estimates of percent cover. The habitat diver then estimates, for each quadrat, the height (in centimeters) of the hardbottom from the substrate to get a sense of bottom relief. Note: Height is collected for all hardbottom substrates, excluding rubble; height is not collected for softbottom substrate. 6) Biotic footprint - defined as the percent cover (to the nearest 0.1 percent) of algae, seagrass, live corals, sponges, gorgonians, and other biota (tunicates, anemones, zooanthids, and hydroids) within a 1m2 quadrat. The remaining cover is recorded as bare substrate to bring the total to 100 percent. Again, the diver must use a planar view to estimate percent cover of the biota. Seagrasses and gorgonians should not be stacked upright. For example, e.g., if a single seagrass blade crosses 10 squares, then total seagrass coverage should be the sum of the area taken up by that blade in all 10 squares instead of the area covered if the blade was held upright. Species covering less than 0.1 percent of the area are not recorded. Taxa are identified to the following levels: stony coral-species, algae-morphological group (macro, turf, crustose, rhodolith, filamentous, cyanobacteria), sponge-morphological group, and gorgonians-morphological group. When estimating percent cover, it is important to realize there is a balance between precision and time. For stony corals, the approximate area covered by living coral tissue is recorded. Coral skeleton (without living tissue) is usually categorized as turf algae or uncolonized substrate. Data on the condition of coral colonies are also recorded. When coral is noticeably bleached, the percentage of bleached coral is estimated to the nearest 0.1 percent. Diseased/dead coral refers to coral skeleton that has recently lost living tissue because of disease or damage that is still visible, and has not yet been colonized by turf algae. Turf algae include a mix of short (less than 1cm high) algae that colonizes dead coral substrate. 7) Maximum canopy height - for each soft biota type (e.g., gorgonians, seagrass, algae), structure is recorded to the nearest 10cm. 8) Number of individuals - for sponges, gorgonians and "other" biota type (non-encrusting anemones and non-encrusting hydroids), the number of individuals at the quadrat level are recorded. (continued...)
2007-06-01T00:00:00
3
(continued from above) 9) Rugosity - measured by placing a 6-m chain at two randomly selected positions along the 25m belt transect. The chain is placed such that it follows the substrate's relief along the centerline of the belt transect. Two divers measure the straight-line horizontal distance covered by the chain. The chain is placed on top of any hard substrate encountered, but not on top of soft corals or sponges since we are measuring hard bottom rugosity. Data on rugosity are collected for reef sites only. Rugosity measurements typically are made by the point-count and belt-transect divers while awaiting the completion of other benthic habitat measurements by the habitat diver. Upon completion of the dive, the rugosity data are transferred from the fish data sheet to the habitat data sheet by the habitat diver. 10) Abundance and maturity of queen conchs (Strombus gigas) - a count of the total number of conch encountered within the 25m x 4m belt transect are enumerated. The maturity of each conch is determined by the presence or absence of a flared lip and labeled mature or immature, respectively.If conch abundance is counted by a fish diver, the data are then reported to habitat diver. The decision of who will collect conch data should be made prior to entering the water. 11) Abundance of spiny lobsters (Panilaurus argus) - a count of the total number of lobsters encountered within the 25m x 4m belt transect. No measurements are taken. If lobster abundance is counted by a fish diver, the data are then reported to habitat diver. The decision of who will collect lobster data should be made prior to entering the water. 12) Abundance of long-spined urchin (Diadema antillarium) - a count of the total number of urchins encountered within the 25m x 4m belt transect. No measurements are taken. If urchin abundance is counted by a fish diver, the data are then reported to habitat diver. The decision of who will collect urchin data should be made prior to entering the water. (end continuation)
2007-06-01T00:00:00
gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:39224
Tyler Christensen
2017-04-05T12:51:19
SysAdmin InPortAdmin
2023-10-17T16:12:11
2017-08-14
National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science
NCCOS
1002
Public
No
2017-08-14
1 Year
2018-08-14