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Summary

Short Citation
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 2024: Guam Long-term Coral Reef Monitoring Program Macroinvertebrate Belt Transects since 2010, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/47782.
Full Citation Examples

Abstract

The Government of Guam's Comprehensive Long-term Monitoring at Permanent Sites in Guam project, also known as the Guam Long-term Coral Reef Monitoring Program (GLTMP), is a NOAA-funded project currently coordinated through the University of Guam Marine Laboratory. The program involves the regular, intensive collection of data for a suite of coral reef ecosystem health parameters at high priority reef areas (HPRAs) around Guam, as well as critical support for coral bleaching response and other activities carried out by the multi-partner Guam Coral Reef Response Team. The program currently utilizes a split-panel sampling approach, whereby a mix of permanent and non-permanent sampling stations (one sampling station = one transect) are visited within each HPRA. The HPRAs were selected by an advisory body comprised of reef managers, researchers, and technicians; these reef areas were not intended to be representative of Guam's reefs more broadly. The locations of the sampling stations within each HPRA are generated randomly using GIS software. Various coral reef surveys are carried out on an annual basis along the seaward slope between 7 and 15 m depth in the Tumon Bay Marine Preserve and in East Agana Bay, while surveys are carried out biennially within the Piti Bomb Holes Marine Preserve, the Achang Reef Flat Marine Preserve, the eastern side of the Cocos Barrier Reef (Cocos-East), and Fouha Bay. Surveys were also carried at along reef margin (1-2 m) and slope (2-15 m) of Western Shoals, in Apra Harbor, in 2011. The surveys, which are currently conducted by University of Guam Marine Laboratory biologists, and which were supported by NOAA PIRO through 2019, currently include benthic photo transects, stationary point count fish surveys, macroinvertebrate belt transects, and chain-length rugosity surveys. The GLTMP has conducted surveys at the Tumon and East Agana HPRAs since 2010 and the Piti HPRA since 2012. Data collection for the Achang and Cocos-East HPRAs began in 2014 and at the Fouha Bay HPRA in 2015. Baseline data is available for the Western Shoals HPRA from 2011 but this site has not been re-visited since its establishment due to shifting management priorities.

Macroinvertebrates are culturally, economically, and ecologically important resources for the people of Guam. In recognition of the value and importance of this resource, macroinvertebrate surveys are a key component of the Guam Long-term Coral Reef Monitoring Program. Macroinvertebrate surveys have been conducted at high priority reef areas around Guam since August 2010. The monitoring team counts the number of most commercially and ecologically important macroinvertebrate species within a 4 m x 30 m belt transect (4 x 25 m prior to 2017) at all sampling stations (except at the Western Shoals stations, where 4 m x 15 m belts were used). The longest dimension of Tridacna individuals is also recorded. These monitoring data on macroinvertebrate communities allow for the exploration of community structure by functional group and can be used to detect changes in macroinvertebrate communities over time.

IMPORTANT: Macroinvertebrate taxa consistently targeted by this survey since 2010 include Acanthaster planci (= A. cf. solaris), Actinopgya spp., Bohadschia spp., Charonia tritonis, Culcita novaeguineae, Diadema spp., Echinothrix spp., Holothuria spp., Lambis spp., Leiaster leachi, Linckia guildingi, L. laevigata, Octopus cyanea, Pearsonothuria graeffei, Stichopus spp., Tectus (= Rochia) spp., Thelenota ananas, Tridacna spp., and Tripneustes gratilla. Boring urchins (e.g., Echinometra spp. and Echinostrephus aciculatus) and small sea stars (Echinaster luzonicus, Fromia spp., Gomophia egyptiaca, Linckia multiflora) were dropped from the survey beginning in 2020, as it was clear that the survey method employed by the GLTMP was not appropriate for the consistent detection of these taxa. Anemones, crustaceans, and smaller molluscs (e.g., Cypraea spp., Turbo spp.) were not a focus of the survey and were recorded inconsistently between 2010 and 2019; these taxa were also officially omitted from the survey beginning in 2020. Observations of boring urchins, small sea stars, and these other small or cryptic taxa are included in the dataset archived with NCEI, but it is highly recommended that only larger, conspicuous macroinvertebrates be used to calculate total invertebrate density and invertebrate group density at the transect level, and that densities of the other taxa be utilized cautiously. It should also be noted that nocturnally active macroinvertebrates, such as Diadema spp., Echinothrix spp., Leister leachi, and some holothuroid taxa, were likely undercounted.

IMPORTANT: The 2010-2019 macroinvertebrate observations dataset initially archived with NCEI did not include zero count records, which could result in erroneous density values when averaging count or density values. Zero count records were added to the dataset using a cast and melt operation in R, and the updated dataset was archived with NCEI in December 2023.

Distribution Information

  • CSV - Comma Separated Values (Text)

    Invert observations from the Guam Long-term Coral Reef Monitoring Program sites between 2010 and 2020

Access Constraints:

None

Use Constraints:

Please cite the Guam Coastal Management Program when using data collected prior to October 2013. Guam Coastal Management Program, Guam Bureau of Statistics and Plans, Government of Guam. Please cite the University of Guam Marine Laboratory when using data collected after (and including) October 2013.

Example citation:

For data collected from 2010 to 2012:

Guam Coastal Management Program (2019). Guam Long-term Coral Reef Monitoring Program Macroinvertebrate Belt Transects since 2010. NOAA's National Center for Environmental Information, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/47782.

For data collected after 2012:

University of Guam Marine Laboratory (2019). Guam Long-term Coral Reef Monitoring Program Macroinvertebrate Belt Transects since 2010. NOAA's National Center for Environmental Information, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/47782.

Controlled Theme Keywords

biota

Contact Information

Point of Contact
David R Burdick
burdickd@triton.uog.edu
671-735-2175

Metadata Contact
David R Burdick
burdickd@triton.uog.edu
671-735-2175

Extents

Geographic Area 1

144.789408° W, 144.798507° E, 13.517207° N, 13.510711° S

These bounding coordinates pertain to the Tumon Bay site boundaries modified after the 2010 survey effort and prior to the 2012 survey effort; these are the current boundaries for the Tumon Bay monitoring site.

Geographic Area 2

144.784502° W, 144.795528° E, 13.512988° N, 13.508506° S

These bounding coordinates pertain to the original Tumon Bay site surveyed in 2010. The site boundaries were modified prior to the 2012 surveys; the coordinates of the modified site boundaries are presented in a separate Geographic Area above.

Time Frame 1
2012-09-05 - 2012-11-19

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2012 at the current Tumon Bay site, the boundaries of which were modified after the 2010 survey effort but before the 2012 survey effort.

Time Frame 2
2014-09-03 - 2014-09-09

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2014 at the current Tumon Bay site, the boundaries of which were modified after the 2010 survey effort but before the 2012 survey effort.

Time Frame 3
2015-06-23 - 2015-07-01

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2015 at the current Tumon Bay site, the boundaries of which were modified after the 2010 survey effort but before the 2012 survey effort.

Time Frame 4
2017-04-10 - 2017-05-17

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2017 at the current Tumon Bay site, the boundaries of which were modified after the 2010 survey effort but before the 2012 survey effort.

Time Frame 5
2010-08-04 - 2010-09-03

Time frame of macroinvertebrate surveys carried out within the original Tumon Bay site as established in 2010. The boundaries of the Tumon Bay site changed after the 2010 surveys were carried out and prior to the 2012 surveys.

Time Frame 6
2018-10-23 - 2018-11-15

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2018 at the current Tumon Bay site, the boundaries of which were modified after the 2010 survey effort but before the 2012 survey effort.

Time Frame 7
2019-07-02 - 2019-08-30

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2019 at the current Tumon Bay site, the boundaries of which were modified after the 2010 survey effort but before the 2012 survey effort.

Time Frame 8
2020-07-23 - 2020-10-13

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2020 at the current Tumon Bay site, the boundaries of which were modified after the 2010 survey effort but before the 2012 survey effort.

Time Frame 9
2022-08-05 - 2022-09-28
Time Frame 10
2021-06-23 - 2021-08-18

Item Identification

Title: Guam Long-term Coral Reef Monitoring Program Macroinvertebrate Belt Transects since 2010
Short Name: Guam LTMP Macroinvertebrate Belt Transects since 2010
Status: In Work
Publication Date: 2023
Abstract:

The Government of Guam's Comprehensive Long-term Monitoring at Permanent Sites in Guam project, also known as the Guam Long-term Coral Reef Monitoring Program (GLTMP), is a NOAA-funded project currently coordinated through the University of Guam Marine Laboratory. The program involves the regular, intensive collection of data for a suite of coral reef ecosystem health parameters at high priority reef areas (HPRAs) around Guam, as well as critical support for coral bleaching response and other activities carried out by the multi-partner Guam Coral Reef Response Team. The program currently utilizes a split-panel sampling approach, whereby a mix of permanent and non-permanent sampling stations (one sampling station = one transect) are visited within each HPRA. The HPRAs were selected by an advisory body comprised of reef managers, researchers, and technicians; these reef areas were not intended to be representative of Guam's reefs more broadly. The locations of the sampling stations within each HPRA are generated randomly using GIS software. Various coral reef surveys are carried out on an annual basis along the seaward slope between 7 and 15 m depth in the Tumon Bay Marine Preserve and in East Agana Bay, while surveys are carried out biennially within the Piti Bomb Holes Marine Preserve, the Achang Reef Flat Marine Preserve, the eastern side of the Cocos Barrier Reef (Cocos-East), and Fouha Bay. Surveys were also carried at along reef margin (1-2 m) and slope (2-15 m) of Western Shoals, in Apra Harbor, in 2011. The surveys, which are currently conducted by University of Guam Marine Laboratory biologists, and which were supported by NOAA PIRO through 2019, currently include benthic photo transects, stationary point count fish surveys, macroinvertebrate belt transects, and chain-length rugosity surveys. The GLTMP has conducted surveys at the Tumon and East Agana HPRAs since 2010 and the Piti HPRA since 2012. Data collection for the Achang and Cocos-East HPRAs began in 2014 and at the Fouha Bay HPRA in 2015. Baseline data is available for the Western Shoals HPRA from 2011 but this site has not been re-visited since its establishment due to shifting management priorities.

Macroinvertebrates are culturally, economically, and ecologically important resources for the people of Guam. In recognition of the value and importance of this resource, macroinvertebrate surveys are a key component of the Guam Long-term Coral Reef Monitoring Program. Macroinvertebrate surveys have been conducted at high priority reef areas around Guam since August 2010. The monitoring team counts the number of most commercially and ecologically important macroinvertebrate species within a 4 m x 30 m belt transect (4 x 25 m prior to 2017) at all sampling stations (except at the Western Shoals stations, where 4 m x 15 m belts were used). The longest dimension of Tridacna individuals is also recorded. These monitoring data on macroinvertebrate communities allow for the exploration of community structure by functional group and can be used to detect changes in macroinvertebrate communities over time.

IMPORTANT: Macroinvertebrate taxa consistently targeted by this survey since 2010 include Acanthaster planci (= A. cf. solaris), Actinopgya spp., Bohadschia spp., Charonia tritonis, Culcita novaeguineae, Diadema spp., Echinothrix spp., Holothuria spp., Lambis spp., Leiaster leachi, Linckia guildingi, L. laevigata, Octopus cyanea, Pearsonothuria graeffei, Stichopus spp., Tectus (= Rochia) spp., Thelenota ananas, Tridacna spp., and Tripneustes gratilla. Boring urchins (e.g., Echinometra spp. and Echinostrephus aciculatus) and small sea stars (Echinaster luzonicus, Fromia spp., Gomophia egyptiaca, Linckia multiflora) were dropped from the survey beginning in 2020, as it was clear that the survey method employed by the GLTMP was not appropriate for the consistent detection of these taxa. Anemones, crustaceans, and smaller molluscs (e.g., Cypraea spp., Turbo spp.) were not a focus of the survey and were recorded inconsistently between 2010 and 2019; these taxa were also officially omitted from the survey beginning in 2020. Observations of boring urchins, small sea stars, and these other small or cryptic taxa are included in the dataset archived with NCEI, but it is highly recommended that only larger, conspicuous macroinvertebrates be used to calculate total invertebrate density and invertebrate group density at the transect level, and that densities of the other taxa be utilized cautiously. It should also be noted that nocturnally active macroinvertebrates, such as Diadema spp., Echinothrix spp., Leister leachi, and some holothuroid taxa, were likely undercounted.

IMPORTANT: The 2010-2019 macroinvertebrate observations dataset initially archived with NCEI did not include zero count records, which could result in erroneous density values when averaging count or density values. Zero count records were added to the dataset using a cast and melt operation in R, and the updated dataset was archived with NCEI in December 2023.

Purpose:

The stated goals of the Guam Long-term Coral Reef Monitoring Program (GLTMP) are to determine the status and trends of selected coral reef ecosystem indicators to inform resource managers' decision-making process, provide managers with early notice of abnormal conditions, provide data to better understand the dynamic nature of the island's coastal ecosystems, allow resource agencies to meet certain legal and Congressional mandates, and measure progress towards performance goals. Benthic cover data collected by the GLTMP at several High Priority Reef Areas around Guam provide documentation of the structure and condition of the benthic communities at these sites; data from multiple visits can be used in time series analyses to determine trends in key ecosystem parameters.

Notes:

Loaded by FGDC Metadata Uploader, batch 10198, 11-05-2017 15:27

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

- Spatial Reference Information (FGDC:spref),

Supplemental Information:

Macroinvertebrate belt transect data have been collected along permanent and non-permanent sampling stations at multiple monitoring sites since 2010, including:

Tumon Bay: 2010 (8 perm, 7 non-perm); 2012 (12 perm, 9 non-perm); 2014 (12 perm, 4 non-perm); 2015 (12 perm, 10 non-perm); 2017 (12 perm, 2 non-perm); 2018 (12 perm, 0 non-perm); 2019 (12 perm, 7 non-perm); 2020 (12 perm, 10 non-perm); 2021 (12 perm, 10 non-perm); 2022 (12 perm, 10 non-perm)

East Agana Bay: 2010 (5 perm, 10 non-perm; missing data for 5 perm); 2012 (10 perm, 0 non-perm); 2014 (10 perm, 0 non-perm); 2015 (10 perm, 0 non-perm); 2017 (10 perm, 0 non-perm); 2018 (10 perm, 0 non-perm); 2019 (9 perm, 6 non-perm); 2020 (10 perm, 10 non-perm); 2021 (10 perm, 10 non-perm); 2022 (10 perm, 10 non-perm)

Western Shoals: 2011 (11 perm, 12 non-perm)

Piti Bay: 2012 (10 perm, 10 non-perm); 2014 (10 perm, 2 non-perm); 2017-2018 (8 perm, 0 non-perm); 2020 (10 perm, 10 non-perm); 2022 (10 perm, 10 non-perm)

Achang: 2014 (11 perm, 3 non-perm); 2018 (10 perm, 0 non-perm); 2021 (10 perm, 10 non-perm)

Cocos-East: 2014 (3 perm, 2 non-perm); 2018 (7 perm, 0 non-perm); 2021 (10 perm, 10 non-perm)

Fouha Bay: 2015 (13 perm); 2019 (13 perm); 2021 (13 perm)

Data entry and quality control are complete for data collected through 2022.

Keywords

Theme Keywords

Thesaurus Keyword
ISO 19115 Topic Category
biota
UNCONTROLLED
CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus Numeric Data Sets > Biology
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Ecological Dynamics > Species Richness
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Macroinvertebrate Census > Belt Transect
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Macroinvertebrate Density and Species Richness
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Rapid Assessment Studies
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Macroinvertebrate Communities
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Macroinvertebrates
CRCP Project 488
CRCP Project Guam Coral Reef Monitoring Data Management Initiative
PARR Exclusion Obsolete
None Belt Transects
None Coral Reef Ecosystem
None Guam Long-term Coral Reef Monitoring Program
None Long-term Monitoring Program
None Macroinvertebrate Density
None Macroinvertebrate Species Richness
None Macroinvertebrates
None Marine Ecosystem
None Rapid Ecological Assessments
None REA
None Tridacna Size

Spatial Keywords

Thesaurus Keyword
UNCONTROLLED
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Guam > Achang (13N144E0064)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Guam > Cocos Barrier Reefs (13N144E0001)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Guam > East Agana Bay (13N144E0063)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Guam > Fouha Bay (13N144E0024)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Guam > Guam (13N144E0000)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Guam > Piti Bay (13N144E0061)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Guam > Tumon Bay (13N144E0004)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Guam > Western Shoal (13N144E0062)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Guam > Achang (13N144E0064)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Guam > East Agana Bay (13N144E0063)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Guam > Fouha Bay (13N144E0024)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Guam > Guam (13N144E0000)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Guam > Piti Bay (13N144E0061)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Guam > Tumon Bay (13N144E0004)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Guam > Western Shoal (13N144E0062)
CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Guam Reefs > Cocos Barrier Reefs (13N144E0001)
None Mariana Archipelago
None Mariana Islands
None Marianas

Physical Location

Organization: University of Guam Marine Laboratory
City: Mangilao
State/Province: GU
Country: USA

Data Set Information

Data Set Scope Code: Data Set
Data Set Type: Database
Maintenance Frequency: As Needed
Data Presentation Form: Table (digital)
Entity Attribute Overview:

Raw survey data includes metadata for each survey (where, when, who, area); site characteristics (depth, reef type, habitat, exposure); individual macro-invertebrate observation counts identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible (usually species); and parameters needed to calculate density.

Entity Attribute Detail URL: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/47802
Distribution Liability:

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. The Guam Coastal Management Program makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.

Data Set Credit: Guam Coastal Management Program, NOAA Pacific Islands Regional Office, and University of Guam Marine Lab.

Support Roles

Data Steward

CC ID: 597480
Date Effective From: 2010
Date Effective To:
Contact (Person): Burdick, David R
Address: 303 University Dr.
Mangilao, GU 96913
USA
Email Address: burdickd@triton.uog.edu
Phone: 671-735-2175
Business Hours: 0800-1700 Chamorro Standard Time (GMT+10)

Distributor

CC ID: 597481
Date Effective From: 2010
Date Effective To:
Contact (Person): Burdick, David R
Address: 303 University Dr.
Mangilao, GU 96913
USA
Email Address: burdickd@triton.uog.edu
Phone: 671-735-2175
Business Hours: 0800-1700 Chamorro Standard Time (GMT+10)

Metadata Contact

CC ID: 597482
Date Effective From: 2010
Date Effective To:
Contact (Person): Burdick, David R
Address: 303 University Dr.
Mangilao, GU 96913
USA
Email Address: burdickd@triton.uog.edu
Phone: 671-735-2175
Business Hours: 0800-1700 Chamorro Standard Time (GMT+10)

Originator

CC ID: 597483
Date Effective From: 2010
Date Effective To:
Contact (Organization): NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP)
Address: 1305 East West Highway 10th Floor
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3281
Phone: (301) 713-3155
URL: https://coralreef.noaa.gov

Point of Contact

CC ID: 597484
Date Effective From: 2010
Date Effective To:
Contact (Person): Burdick, David R
Address: 303 University Dr.
Mangilao, GU 96913
USA
Email Address: burdickd@triton.uog.edu
Phone: 671-735-2175
Business Hours: 0800-1700 Chamorro Standard Time (GMT+10)

Principal Investigator

CC ID: 597485
Date Effective From: 2017
Date Effective To:
Contact (Person): Burdick, David R
Address: 303 University Dr.
Mangilao, GU 96913
USA
Email Address: burdickd@triton.uog.edu
Phone: 671-735-2175
Business Hours: 0800-1700 Chamorro Standard Time (GMT+10)

Extents

Currentness Reference: Ground Condition

Extent Group 1

Extent Description:

Tumon Bay

Extent Group 1 / Geographic Area 1

CC ID: 597824
W° Bound: 144.789408
E° Bound: 144.798507
N° Bound: 13.517207
S° Bound: 13.510711
Description

These bounding coordinates pertain to the Tumon Bay site boundaries modified after the 2010 survey effort and prior to the 2012 survey effort; these are the current boundaries for the Tumon Bay monitoring site.

Extent Group 1 / Geographic Area 2

CC ID: 597825
W° Bound: 144.784502
E° Bound: 144.795528
N° Bound: 13.512988
S° Bound: 13.508506
Description

These bounding coordinates pertain to the original Tumon Bay site surveyed in 2010. The site boundaries were modified prior to the 2012 surveys; the coordinates of the modified site boundaries are presented in a separate Geographic Area above.

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 1

CC ID: 597826
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2012-09-05
End: 2012-11-19
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2012 at the current Tumon Bay site, the boundaries of which were modified after the 2010 survey effort but before the 2012 survey effort.

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 2

CC ID: 597827
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2014-09-03
End: 2014-09-09
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2014 at the current Tumon Bay site, the boundaries of which were modified after the 2010 survey effort but before the 2012 survey effort.

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 3

CC ID: 597828
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2015-06-23
End: 2015-07-01
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2015 at the current Tumon Bay site, the boundaries of which were modified after the 2010 survey effort but before the 2012 survey effort.

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 4

CC ID: 597829
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2017-04-10
End: 2017-05-17
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2017 at the current Tumon Bay site, the boundaries of which were modified after the 2010 survey effort but before the 2012 survey effort.

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 5

CC ID: 597830
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2010-08-04
End: 2010-09-03
Description:

Time frame of macroinvertebrate surveys carried out within the original Tumon Bay site as established in 2010. The boundaries of the Tumon Bay site changed after the 2010 surveys were carried out and prior to the 2012 surveys.

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 6

CC ID: 896945
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2018-10-23
End: 2018-11-15
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2018 at the current Tumon Bay site, the boundaries of which were modified after the 2010 survey effort but before the 2012 survey effort.

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 7

CC ID: 896946
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2019-07-02
End: 2019-08-30
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2019 at the current Tumon Bay site, the boundaries of which were modified after the 2010 survey effort but before the 2012 survey effort.

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 8

CC ID: 1008595
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2020-07-23
End: 2020-10-13
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2020 at the current Tumon Bay site, the boundaries of which were modified after the 2010 survey effort but before the 2012 survey effort.

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 9

CC ID: 1275361
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2022-08-05
End: 2022-09-28

Extent Group 1 / Time Frame 10

CC ID: 1275360
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2021-06-23
End: 2021-08-18

Extent Group 2

Extent Description:

East Agana Bay

Extent Group 2 / Geographic Area 1

CC ID: 597831
W° Bound: 144.758065
E° Bound: 144.766983
N° Bound: 13.491396
S° Bound: 13.483792
Description

These bounding coordinates pertain to the current boundaries for the East Agana Bay site, which has been monitored since 2010

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 1

CC ID: 597832
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2010-09-07
End: 2010-11-26
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2010 at the current East Agana Bay site, the boundaries of which have been consistent since the site's establishment in 2010

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 2

CC ID: 597833
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2012-11-16
End: 2012-11-28
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2012 at the current East Agana Bay site, the boundaries of which have been consistent since the site's establishment in 2010

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 3

CC ID: 597834
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2014-09-10
End: 2014-09-16
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2014 at the current East Agana Bay site, the boundaries of which have been consistent since the site's establishment in 2010

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 4

CC ID: 597835
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2016-02-16
End: 2016-04-05
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2016 at the current East Agana Bay site, the boundaries of which have been consistent since the site's establishment in 2010

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 5

CC ID: 597836
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2017-07-12
End: 2017-07-20
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2017 at the current East Agana Bay site, the boundaries of which have been consistent since the site's establishment in 2010

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 6

CC ID: 896947
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2018-11-15
End: 2018-11-29
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2018 at the current East Agana Bay site, the boundaries of which have been consistent since the site's establishment in 2010

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 7

CC ID: 896948
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2019-09-05
End: 2019-09-06
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2019 at the current East Agana Bay site, the boundaries of which have been consistent since the site's establishment in 2010

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 8

CC ID: 1008596
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2020-10-13
End: 2020-11-24
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2020 at the current East Agana Bay site, the boundaries of which have been consistent since the site's establishment in 2010

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 9

CC ID: 1275362
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2021-08-04
End: 2021-09-03

Extent Group 2 / Time Frame 10

CC ID: 1275363
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2022-09-29
End: 2022-10-27

Extent Group 3

Extent Description:

Western Shoals

Extent Group 3 / Geographic Area 1

CC ID: 597837
W° Bound: 144.653292
E° Bound: 144.656443
N° Bound: 13.454042
S° Bound: 13.449599
Description

These bounding coordinates pertain to the Western Shoals monitoring site in Apra Harbor. The Western Shoals site has not been re-surveyed since 2011 due to a shift in management priorities.

Extent Group 3 / Time Frame 1

CC ID: 597838
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2011-07-11
End: 2011-08-19
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out at the Western Shoals site in 2011. Subsequent surveys have not been carried out at this site due to a shift in management priorities.

Extent Group 4

Extent Description:

Piti (Tepungan) Bay

Extent Group 4 / Geographic Area 1

CC ID: 597839
W° Bound: 144.683913
E° Bound: 144.697634
N° Bound: 13.47632
S° Bound: 13.468317
Description

These bounding coordinates pertain to the Piti (Tepungan) Bay site, which has been surveyed since 2012.

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 1

CC ID: 597840
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2012-07-23
End: 2012-08-31
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out within the Piti (Tepungan) Bay site in 2012

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 2

CC ID: 597841
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2014-09-17
End: 2014-11-13
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out within the Piti (Tepungan) Bay site in 2014

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 3

CC ID: 1008597
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2020-06-30
End: 2020-07-16
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out within the Piti (Tepungan) Bay site in 2020

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 4

CC ID: 896949
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2017-11-15
End: 2017-12-15
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out within the Piti (Tepungan) Bay site in 2017

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 5

CC ID: 896950
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2018-03-01
End: 2018-03-09
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out within the Piti (Tepungan) Bay site in 2018

Extent Group 4 / Time Frame 6

CC ID: 1275364
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2022-05-22
End: 2022-08-04

Extent Group 5

Extent Description:

Achang

Extent Group 5 / Geographic Area 1

CC ID: 597842
W° Bound: 144.69765
E° Bound: 144.712233
N° Bound: 13.242611
S° Bound: 13.239282
Description

These bounding coordinates pertain to the current Achang monitoring site boundaries, which were established in 2014.

Extent Group 5 / Time Frame 1

CC ID: 597843
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2014-10-22
End: 2014-10-27
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2014 at the Achang site

Extent Group 5 / Time Frame 2

CC ID: 896951
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2018-07-26
End: 2018-09-27
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2018 at the Achang site

Extent Group 5 / Time Frame 3

CC ID: 1275365
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2021-04-21
End: 2021-05-14

Extent Group 6

Extent Description:

Cocos-East

Extent Group 6 / Geographic Area 1

CC ID: 597844
W° Bound: 144.674888
E° Bound: 144.685944
N° Bound: 13.23992
S° Bound: 13.235939
Description

These bounding coordinates pertain to the current Cocos-East site, which was established in 2014

Extent Group 6 / Time Frame 1

CC ID: 597845
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2014-10-27
End: 2014-10-28
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2014 at the Cocos-East site

Extent Group 6 / Time Frame 2

CC ID: 896952
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2018-08-24
End: 2018-09-25
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2018 at the Cocos-East site

Extent Group 6 / Time Frame 3

CC ID: 1275366
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2021-04-30
End: 2021-06-10

Extent Group 7

Extent Description:

Fouha Bay

Extent Group 7 / Geographic Area 1

CC ID: 597846
W° Bound: 144.653677
E° Bound: 144.656082
N° Bound: 13.305903
S° Bound: 13.303514
Description

These bounding coordinates pertain to the current Fouha Bay monitoring site, which was established in 2015

Extent Group 7 / Time Frame 1

CC ID: 597847
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2015-05-06
End: 2015-10-27
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2015 at the Fouha Bay site

Extent Group 7 / Time Frame 2

CC ID: 896953
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2019-05-09
End: 2019-06-04
Description:

Time frame for macroinvertebrate surveys carried out in 2019 at the Fouha Bay site

Extent Group 7 / Time Frame 3

CC ID: 1275367
Time Frame Type: Range
Start: 2021-05-19
End: 2021-06-11

Access Information

Security Class: Unclassified
Security Classification System:

Not applicable

Security Handling Description:

Not applicable

Data Access Procedure:

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

Data Access Constraints:

None

Data Use Constraints:

Please cite the Guam Coastal Management Program when using data collected prior to October 2013. Guam Coastal Management Program, Guam Bureau of Statistics and Plans, Government of Guam. Please cite the University of Guam Marine Laboratory when using data collected after (and including) October 2013.

Example citation:

For data collected from 2010 to 2012:

Guam Coastal Management Program (2019). Guam Long-term Coral Reef Monitoring Program Macroinvertebrate Belt Transects since 2010. NOAA's National Center for Environmental Information, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/47782.

For data collected after 2012:

University of Guam Marine Laboratory (2019). Guam Long-term Coral Reef Monitoring Program Macroinvertebrate Belt Transects since 2010. NOAA's National Center for Environmental Information, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/47782.

Metadata Access Constraints:

None

Metadata Use Constraints:

None

Distribution Information

Distribution 1

CC ID: 597493
Download URL: https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/accession#
Distributor:
File Name: GLTMP_invert_2010-2020.csv
Description:

Invert observations from the Guam Long-term Coral Reef Monitoring Program sites between 2010 and 2020

File Type (Deprecated): csv (comma-separated values)
Distribution Format: CSV - Comma Separated Values (Text)

URLs

URL 1

CC ID: 597128
URL: https://guamcoralreefmonitoring.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/guam_ltmp_spring2019_report_final-2.pdf
Name: A report of the Comprehensive Long-term Coral Reef Monitoring at Permanent Sites on Guam Project
URL Type:
Online Resource
File Resource Format: PDF
Description:

End-of-grant report that includes detailed information about the monitoring program's background and survey methodology, as well as the results of an analysis of baseline data collected at the Fouha Bay, Achang, Tepungan (Piti) Bay and the modified Tumon Bay site, and an analysis of time series data collected at the Tumon Bay, East Agana Bay, and Tepungan (Piti) Bay sites.

URL 2

CC ID: 597130
URL: https://guamcoralreefmonitoring.wordpress.com/
URL Type:
Online Resource
Description:

Guam Long-term Coral Reef Monitoring Program website

URL 3

CC ID: 1275368
URL: https://www.uog.edu/_resources/files/ml/technical_reports/UOGML_TechRep170_GLTMP_2023.pdf
Name: A decade of change on Guam's coral reefs: A report of Guam Long-term Coral Reef Monitoring Program activities between 2010 and 2021
URL Type:
Online Resource
File Resource Format: PDF
Description:

End-of-grant report that includes detailed information about the monitoring program's background and survey methodology, as well as the results of analyses of data collected at several High Priority Reef Areas (HPRAs) between 2010 and 2021, at island-wide bleaching response and recovery sites between 2013 and 2021, at Reef Flat Monitoring Program sites between 2009 and 2022, and at staghorn coral communities between 2015 and 2021.

Technical Environment

Description:

Observations recorded on data sheets are entered into a data management website that populations a Microsoft SQL Server administered by the University of Guam.

Data Quality

Accuracy:

Observations at each site were made by divers who have been trained and met minimum standards in identifying species present at the survey locations. Species identification and counts were periodically checked for accuracy and consistency between divers, and little discrepancy was noted.

Bias:

Effort is made to avoid inter-observer bias through consistent training of macroinvertebrate surveyors by the Program Coordinator and by reference to an established protocol document.

Comparability:

Improvement over time in observers' general level of skill with the survey method, and an evolving understanding of the taxa at the monitoring sites, should be taken into account when comparing data across time; however, minor improvements in skill are not expected to have a significant impact on data quality. Comparisons of data across sites or across years must take into account differences in environmental and biological aspects of each site. Comparisons for a give site across time should consider any changes to the site boundaries over time. Please refer to the Extents section of this metadata record to see how the Tumon site boundaries shifted after 2010.

Completeness Report:

Only hard-bottom habitats are surveyed. Surveys are conducted annually to biennially for the Tumon and East Agana sites, but are conducted on a less frequent basis at other sites. In addition, while all permanent sampling stations are generally surveyed each sampling period, surveys are not always conducted at the full set of non-permanent stations for each site during each sampling period.

Unfortunately, several macroinvertebrate data sheets were lost before data was entered into the data management system, resulting in the absence of data for several sampling stations in the Tumon and East Agana sites in 2010.

Below is a summary of the number of permanent and non-permanent sampling stations for which macroinvertebrate data is available each year for each site:

Tumon Bay: 2010 (8 perm, 7 non-perm; missing data for 2 perm and 3 non-perm); 2012 (12 perm, 9 non-perm); 2014 (12 perm, 4 non-perm); 2015 (12 perm, 10 non-perm); 2017 (12 perm, 2 non-perm); 2018 (12 perm, 0 non-perm); 2019 (12 perm, 0 non-perm); 2020 (12 perm, 10 non-perm); 2021 (12 perm, 10 non-perm); 2022 (12 perm, 10 non-perm)

East Agana Bay: 2010 (5 perm, 10 non-perm; missing data for 5 perm); 2012 (10 perm, 0 non-perm); 2014 (10 perm, 0 non-perm); 2015 (10 perm, 0 non-perm); 2017 (10 perm, 0 non-perm); 2018 (10 perm, 0 non-perm); 2019 (9 perm, 6 non-perm); 2020 (12 perm, 10 non-perm); 2021 (12 perm, 10 non-perm); 2022 (12 perm, 10 non-perm)

Western Shoals: 2011 (11 perm, 12 non-perm)

Piti Bay: 2012 (10 perm, 10 non-perm); 2014 (10 perm, 2 non-perm); 2017-2018 (8 perm, 0 non-perm); 2020 (10 perm, 10 non-perm); 2022 (10 perm, 10 non-perm)

Achang: 2014 (11 perm, 3 non-perm); 2018 (10 perm, 0 non-perm); 2021 (10 perm, 10 non-perm)

Cocos-East: 2014 (3 perm, 2 non-perm); 2018 (7 perm, 0 non-perm); 2021 (10 perm, 10 non-perm)

Fouha Bay: 2015 (13 perm); 2019 (13 perm); 2021 (13 perm)

Data entry and quality control are complete for data collected through 2022.

Conceptual Consistency:

The same methods of data collection were used at each of the stations surveyed. Surveys were conducted by a team of scientists that met minimum qualifications and trained and calibrated together.

Quality Control Procedures Employed:

All observations entered into the database through the online data entry system are compared against observations recorded on the raw data sheet. Once all database records are verified the quality control process is marked as complete for all observations associated with a given station/sampling period. It should also be noted that the data management system employs hard and soft validation to minimize data entry errors.

Data Management

Have Resources for Management of these Data Been Identified?: Yes
Approximate Percentage of Budget for these Data Devoted to Data Management: Unknown
Do these Data Comply with the Data Access Directive?: Yes
Is Access to the Data Limited Based on an Approved Waiver?: No
Approximate Delay Between Data Collection and Dissemination: Unknown
Actual or Planned Long-Term Data Archive Location: NCEI-MD
Approximate Delay Between Data Collection and Archiving: Unknown
How Will the Data Be Protected from Accidental or Malicious Modification or Deletion Prior to Receipt by the Archive?:

University of Guam Marine Lab resources and assets

Lineage

Lineage Statement:

The Macroinvertebrate Survey methodology, employed by the Guam Long-term Coral Reef Monitoring Program since 2010

Process Steps

Process Step 1

CC ID: 597134
Description:

Macroinvertebrate belt transect surveys are carried out at all sampling stations within a monitoring site when program capacity is sufficient to do so. All sampling stations have been selected in hard-bottom habitats using a stratified random sampling design, and the stations have been designed using the split-panel approach (combination of fixed and non-fixed transects).

Process Contact: Burdick, David R
Phone (Voice): 671-735-2175
Email Address: burdickd@triton.uog.edu

Process Step 2

CC ID: 609400
Description:

Each sampling station is located using a GPS receiver. Upon reaching a given station, a small weight and line tied to a buoy is carefully lowered to the ocean floor. In optimal situations where four divers are available, two divers enter the water first to carry out the fish surveys. Starting at the weight tied to the buoy, a 30 m transect is laid out [25 m-long transects were used prior to 2017]. The transect is laid out in a clockwise direction relative to the island, following the depth contour if it is readily determined; if the area is relatively flat and a depth contour is not readily discernible the transect is laid at an angle parallel to the reef margin (which is determined prior to entering the water).

Compact digital point and shoot cameras and housings are used by individual observers to document unknown organisms, incidences of coral disease, and species/behaviors of special interest. For the initial establishment of fixed sampling stations, 24 inch rebar is installed at the beginning of the transect and 12 inch rebar is installed at the center and end of the transect; four-inch concrete nails are installed in at least two of the corners of each quadrat used for coral size and condition surveys. For the Western Shoals site, rebar and concrete nails were not used and instead a small PVC float was tied to dead coral with a line at the beginning of the transect and large zip ties were placed at the beginning, middle, and end of the transect. Two small zip ties were used to mark two corners of each permanent quadrat location. [Note that due to capacity limitations coral quadrat surveys were eliminated beginning in 2020; the nails for quadrats at some sampling stations have been maintained opportunistically]

To minimize diver disruptions, the two divers conducting the benthic surveys enter the water after the fish team has finished enumerating fish. In situations where only three divers are available, all three divers enter the water at the same time and remain as a three-person buddy team to ensure diver safety throughout the survey. A fish diver partners with a benthic diver when two fish divers are not available. In this situation, the fish diver lays the transect and conducts the first SPC at 22.5 m while the benthic diver works from 0-15 m; they then switch positions along the transect so that the fish diver can carry out the second SPC. Beginning in 2020, most surveys have been conducted by a single pair of divers. After deploying the transect tape the two divers would simultaneously carry out a reef fish SPC survey replicate (if both observers were trained and calibrated) or if only one of the divers was trained and calibrated this individual would carry out both replicates, one after the other. Following the completion of the reef fish survey replicates, one diver would carry out the benthic photo transect survey while the other carried out the macroinvertebrate belt transect survey and the rugosity survey.

Process Contact: Burdick, David R
Phone (Voice): 671-735-2175
Email Address: burdickd@triton.uog.edu

Process Step 3

CC ID: 609401
Description:

The macroinvertebrate belt transect survey is usually carried out by the same person who carries out the benthic photo transect, but may be carried out by the coral quadrat diver or by a diver dedicated wholly to the macroinvertebrate survey. A set of commercially and ecologically important macroinvertebrates are counted within a 4 m x 30 m belt (4 m x 25 m prior to 2017, 4 m x 15 m belt at Western Shoals site) centered on the transect tape placed by the fish team. The diver carries out the survey by counting macroinvertebrates along one side of the transect tape (a 2 m belt) and returning along the other side (another 2 m belt), being careful not to double count species near the transect tape or which may have moved from one side to the other. A meter-long PVC pipe is used by the diver to ensure that their estimate of belt width is accurate. Macroinvertebrate taxa surveyed include large echinoids, holothuroids, edible mollusks (Tridacna spp., Charonia tritonis, Trochus/Tectus spp., Lambis spp., Octopus spp.), and large seastars (e.g., Acanthaster, Linkcia). Tridacna spp. are measured to the nearest centimeter.

Process Contact: Burdick, David R
Phone (Voice): 671-735-2175
Email Address: burdickd@triton.uog.edu

Process Step 4

CC ID: 609403
Description:

Raw data include individual records for each observed macroinvertebrate taxa, along with corresponding methodological information and physical data that reflect the description of the site. An individual record for each observed macroinvertebrate taxa includes species/genus identification, count, and taxonomic group (e.g., sea urchin, edible shell, sea star, etc.). The maximum length of Tridacna are also recorded during the survey but are not currently entered into the database. These measurements are available upon request. The physical and methodological data for all records includes the following: site, station, station type, date (day, month, year), latitude (dd), longitude (dd), station type (fixed, unfixed), transect number, transect length, transect width (m), depth (m), habitat

Process Contact: Burdick, David R
Phone (Voice): 671-735-2175
Email Address: burdickd@triton.uog.edu

Child Items

Rubric scores updated every 15m

Rubric Score Type Title
Entity Guam Long-term Monitoring Program: Macro-Invertebrate Observations

Catalog Details

Catalog Item ID: 47782
GUID: gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:47782
Metadata Record Created By: Troy T Kanemura
Metadata Record Created: 2017-11-05 15:27+0000
Metadata Record Last Modified By: David R Burdick
Metadata Record Last Modified: 2023-12-06 01:51+0000
Metadata Record Published: 2021-04-14
Owner Org: PIFSC
Metadata Publication Status: Published Externally
Do Not Publish?: N
Metadata Last Review Date: 2021-04-14
Metadata Review Frequency: 1 Year
Metadata Next Review Date: 2022-04-14