Data Management Plan

Saipan Coral Nursery Fragment Growth and Parent Colony Fragmentation with the Saipan Coral Nursery Pilot Project (SCNPP) in the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) since 2019

The data described here result from parent colony fragmentation collection and the monitoring of the fragment growth in the coral nursery through the Saipan Coral Nursery Pilot Project (SCNPP). Parent colony survey data includes genus and species identification, collection site information including: latitude, longitude, reef name, reef zone, depth, and tag number.

Fragment growth data from the nursery includes: the nursery identifier, parent colony identifier, fragment code, genus and species name, presence/absence, and growth data.

Scoping surveys were conducted at potential parent colony collection sites around Saipan to confirm the presence of healthy target coral species for collection. Surveys were conducted in both Forereef and Lagoon reef types. Fragments were collected using an appropriate cutting tool from parent colonies of five target coral species including: Acropora. pulchra, A. globiceps, A. aspera, A. abrotanoides, and A. muricata. Wild abundance and nursery capacity determined the number of parent colonies collected for each species.

Coral fragments were, and continue to be measured by following a three-dimensional survey design, tagged with a unique identifier, and transported immediately to the nursery site where they are attached to the nursery structures using monofilament fishing line. Each nursery tree has a PVC backbone with 10 fiberglass arms, each containing 10 holes, holding a total of 100 corals per tree with monofilament line. The trees are secured to the sea floor by duckbill anchors.

All nursery fragments are monitored for growth, survival and health status through measurement utilizing athree-dimensional survey design and visual surveys. All parent colonies are surveyed at least once after fragment collection to assess the healing process.

The data from the Saipan Coral Nursery Pilot Project can be accessed online via the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Ocean Archive.

One-time data collection

2019-06-06 to 2020-06-29, 2019-06-06 to 2020-12-02

W: 145.725903, E: 145.726103, N: 15.240542, S: 15.240342

The Saipan Coral Nursery - ID: SCN_01 in the data

W: 145.68493, E: 145.79035, N: 15.27333, S: 15.10417

Parent colony fragmentation sites area

Table (digital)

No information found

Steven McKagan

Metadata Contact

steven.mckagan@noaa.gov

670-234-0004

Steven McKagan

Data Steward

Yes

Unknown

Lineage Statement:
The parent colony fragmentation methodology and coral fragment growth monitoring three-dimensional survey method, employed by the Saipan Coral Nursery Pilot Project team since 2019.

Process Steps:

• Fragmentation of Parent Colonies Using existing data on habitat type, coral cover, and community composition, we first developed maps of likely collection sites for staghorn corals within the Saipan lagoon and along the shallow forereefs of Saipan. Based on these data and maps, we conducted approximately 10 scoping surveys at potential collection sites to confirm the presence of suitable colonies of target species for collection. Fragment were then collected from parent colonies from 16 A. pulchra, eight A. globiceps, eight (putative) A. aspera, four A. abrotanoides, and four A. muricata parent colonies. The number of parent colonies collected for each species was dictated by abundance in the environment (i.e., ability to find colonies across collection sites) and nursery capacity. To capture as much of the local genetic diversity as possible, fragments were collected from parent colonies from 12 geographically disparate sites around Saipan. During collections, we took precautions to minimize potential negative impacts on wild populations, collected fragments, and reef habitat, by adhering to procedures based on best management practices developed over the last ten years in the Caribbean and Atlantic. Only healthy, “adult” (>10 cm diameter) colonies were selected as donors. Corals with any sign of disease, predation, or other ongoing stress, were not fragmented. No more than 10% of any individual parent colony was collected and fragments were collectured using an appropriate cutting tool for the size and shape of branch (e.g. wire cutters, small shears, chisel, etc.). Cuts were made as cleanly as possible to promote rapid lesion healing and recovery and fragments are cut between 3 cm to 5 cm in length. All parent colonies were tagged for future monitoring to assess impacts of fragmentation on parent colonies. Each parent colony is monitored post-sampling at least one time to assess health.
• The Coral Nursery and Fragment Growth Monitoring After sampling the coral fragments from the parent colony, each fragment is immediately measured, tagged with a unique identifier, and transported immediately to the nursery site where they are attached to the nursery structures using monofilament fishing line. During transport, the fragments are kept submerged in seawater and protected from direct sunlight to maintain temperature and minimize stress. Three colony dimensions are measured: length (L; maximum colony diameter), width (W; maximum diameter perpendicular to the length axis), and height (H; maximum diameter of the plane perpendicular to the L/W plane). Individual branch lengths are measured as the length of the branch from the apex to the base, down the center axis of the branch (Johnson et al. 2011). All measurements are taken using a ruler or vernier calipers and recorded to the nearest 0.1 cm. This survey method is conducted initially during fragment sampling from the parent colony and is repeated over time, once the fragment is in the nursery, monitoring for growth, survival, and health status. Each nursery tree has a PVC backbone with 10 fiberglass arms, each containing 10 holes, holding a total of 100 corals per tree with monofilament line. The trees are secured to the sea floor by duckbill anchors. After installation, the nursery trees are cleaned monthly. Wire and plastic brushes are used to scrub algae off of all structures, and monofilaments lines are wiped cleaned with scouring pads or gloves. During each cleaning effort, all structures and hardware are checked thoroughly for any issues or needed repairs or maintenance.

Observers review all data, including metadata, on the day of collection and again at data entry to check for errors. Additional QC procedures are built in to the database and include formatting and value checks to minimize entry of erroneous information. A final check is conducted by the data manager.

No

NMFS Office of Science and Technology

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/64586

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

Yes

National Centers for Environmental Information - Silver Spring, Maryland (NCEI-MD)

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

Unknown

NCEI_MD

Pacific Islands Regional Office - Saipan, MP
 
The CNMI NOAA Field Office

Unknown

The data is captured on physical data sheets, then entered into an MS Access database, then data is exported and backed up onto google drive.