Data Management Plan

The analysis-ready data described here result from performing hierarchical clustering of individual coral bleaching surveys conducted across the Hawaiian Archipelago in 2014, 2015, and 2019. In order to resolve issues of spatial autocorrelation, the surveys were grouped into distinct clusters with a spatial resolution of 1km. The data was stratified across depths to generate metrics for up to three depth bins per cluster: shallow (0-6m), mid (>6-18m), and deep (>18m). This dataset contains environmental data paired for all 2019 observations, used to analyze drivers of the coral bleaching event. No environmental drivers data is included for 2015 and 2014 observations, as the data from these bleaching events was solely used in a temporal analysis comparing the 2014/2015 events to the 2019 event. This dataset also contains weights assigned to each observation (all years) for use in the drivers, temporal and spatial analyses.

Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI), including Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu, and Kauai, and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI), including French Frigate Shoals, Lisianski Island, Pearl & Hermes Reef, and Kure Atoll.

Lineage Statement:
Coral bleaching surveys were conducted during the 2014/2015 and 2019 thermal stress events in the Hawaiian Archipelago. In order to avoid spatial autocorrelation in subsequent analyses, hierarchical clustering was performed to group survey data into distinct clusters with a spatial resolution of 1km. The data was stratified across depths to generate metrics for up to three depth bins per cluster: shallow (0-6m), mid (>6-18m), and deep (>18m). Transformed and scaled weights were assigned per cluster based upon the inverse of the standard error of mean percent bleaching.

Process Steps:

• This record contains analysis-ready data for use in identifying temporal (2014/2015 vs 2019) and spatial (2019 only) patterns in bleaching across the Hawaiian Archipelago. Environmental parameters have been paired with all 2019 observations for use in investigating drivers of the 2019 bleaching event. The environmental parameters used in the drivers analysis are as follows: - Acute Thermal Stress - Historical Thermal Stress - Sea Surface Temperature (SST) Variability - Surface Light (PAR) - Light Attenuation (kdPAR) - Historical Bleaching - Taxonomic Susceptibility - Sewage Effluent - Agricultural Run-off - Urban Run-off - Tourism & Recreation See Child Item for description and original data source of parameter. Full citations for these data sources can be found under Sources. Each parameter was assigned to the 2019 survey data (pre-clustering). The mean value of each parameter was then calculated per cluster. To learn more about the survey approaches and to access the survey data from 2015 and 2019, see Related Items. For 2014 data, see Couch et al. (2017) under Sources.

Quality control of the data occurred at a few stages from initial data entry per institution, to data compilation into a single Excel spreadsheet. Observations, including species identification, were periodically checked during expeditions for consistency between and among divers. Data entry was usually conducted on the same day as the surveys using a data entry interface with several data controls employed, and were quality controlled by individual divers checking entry errors at a separate time. Following a mission, the data was run through rigorous quality control checks. The data was quality controlled against the physical data sheets following data entry.

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

The data is captured in both physical data sheets, an external hard drive, and a NOAA Fisheries server at the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC). The physical data sheets are housed at PIFSC. PIFSC servers are regularly backed up by PIFSC ITS.