Data Management Plan (Deprecated)

This project investigated the role that the mesophotic coral ecosystems (~60–100 m) of Pulley Ridge (off the southwest coast of Florida) play in replenishing key species in the downstream reefs of the Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas. Because of the well-documented decline of Florida’s reefs, it is important to identify, protect, and manage sources of larval reef species that can help sustain Florida’s reef ecosystems and the tourism economy that depends on it. This interdisciplinary study focused on determining the connectivity of reef species living at Pulley Ridge, the deepest known photosynthetic coral reef off the continental U.S., to those in the Florida Keys, as well as describing the community structure and determining the economic value of Pulley Ridge’s communities. Focal species for connectivity studies were the red grouper (Epinephelus morio), the bicolor damselfish (Stegastes partitus), the Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois spp.), the great star coral (Montastraea cavernosa), lettuce corals (Agaricia spp.), and the giant barrel sponge (Xestospongia muta). The study was advised by a Stakeholder Advisory Board, a collaboration of federal, state, and nongovernmental stakeholders to ensure the utility of outputs for resource managers.

Process Steps:

• This study is directed at determining the connectivity of reef species living in Pulley Ridge, the deepest known photosynthetic coral reef off the continental U.S., to those in the Florida Keys, as well as describing the community structure and determining the economic value of Pulley Ridge’s mesophotic communities. Results from this study are intended for use by resource managers. The project is divided into six separate groups: Physical Oceanography, Biological-physical Modeling, Population Genetics, Population Dynamics, Community Structure, and Bio-economics. There are three research themes: Understanding Connectivity: Four of the research groups are working to address the research objective focused on understanding population connectivity between Pulley Ridge and the Florida Keys. The Biological-physical Modeling group is split into modelers and larval fish biologists. The modelers require information on ocean currents from the Physical Oceanography group, biological data from the fish biologists within their own group, and information on adult fish growth and reproduction from the Population Dynamics group. These data are then used to develop a model to predict the degree of connectivity, which is then verified by information from the Population Genetics group. Assessing Community Structure: To assess the community structure of mesophotic coral ecosystems, the Community Structure group provides for their diverse expertise with benthic organisms (corals, sponges, algae, invertebrates, and fishes) and with remote sampling tools (notably remotely operated vehicles, or ROVs). Information key to describing the full mesophotic community will be provided by the Population Dynamics group as they focus on adult fish such as groupers. The information from these two groups is then synthesized into Geographic Information System (GIS) maps showing the distribution and abundance of benthic organisms across Pulley Ridge. Determining the Value of a Resource: The Bio-economics group will use information from the Community Structure group, as well as assimilate fisheries data, to evaluate the potential economic value of the different components of the mesophotic reef communities. They will do so not just from a fishery perspective, but also for tourism and ecosystem services (fundamental life-support processes upon which all organisms depend).

Model data were verified by observed data. For details of data quality control methods, see Lineage Sources. All users should independently analyze the datasets according to their own needs and standards to determine data usability.

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