NCRMP: Assessment of coral communities in the Florida Reef Tract from 2016-05-01 to 2016-12-15 (NCEI Accession 0169401)

The Benthic Assessment (BA) is the first of two benthic surveys conducted in Florida as part of the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). Benthic Assessment provides benthic cover estimates for ecologically important cover types/groups (e.g., macroalgae, turf algae, crustose coralline algae, corals, sponges, sand/sediment, etc.) using a 1-stage stratified random survey design in hardbottom and coral reef habitats less than 30m in depth

The Coral Demographic method is the second of two benthic surveys conducted along the Florida reef tract as part of the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). The goal of the coral demographic surveys is to collect and report information on species composition, density, size, abundance, and specific parameters of condition (% live vs. dead, bleaching, disease) of non-juvenile scleractinian corals (>4 cm maximum diameter), and of overall species diversity (all corals) using 10m x 1m belt transects in a stratified random sampling design in hardbottom and coral reef habitats less than 30m in depth. Surveys are concurrent with and along the same transect of the Benthic Assessment surveys, including the Line Point-Intercept (LPI) survey.

Data provided in these data sets are from three (3) distinct regions along the Florida reef tract; 1) Dry Tortugas, 2) Florida Keys from Key West north to Miami, and 3) Miami north to Martin County. Lead agencies involved include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Southeast Fisheries Science Center (NOAA Fisheries) and National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS).

The goals of benthic surveys are to provide: (1) a quantification of percent cover of biotic and abiotic benthic components using a linear point intercept (LPI) method; (2) information on topographic complexity (substratum rugosity) of the survey locations (3) quantitative information on local commercially and ecologically-important macroinvertebrates (Caribbean spiny lobster [Panulirus argus], queen conch [Strombus gigas], long-spined sea urchin [Diadema antillarum]); and (4) presence-absence information for ESA-listed Threatened corals. Surveys are concurrent with and along the same transect with Coral Demographic surveys.

The goal of the coral demographic surveys is to collect and report information on species composition, density, size, abundance, and specific parameters of condition (% live vs. dead, bleaching, disease) of non-juvenile scleractinian corals (>4 cm maximum diameter), and of overall species diversity (all corals) using 10m x 1m belt transects in a stratified random sampling design in hardbottom and coral reef habitats less than 30m in depth

Cite as: NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS); Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC); University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (UM-RSMAS); Nova Southeastern University (NSU); Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC); Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP); National Park Service (NPS); Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS); Broward and Miami-Dade counties (2018). National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of coral communities in the Florida Keys Reef Tract from 2016-05-01 to 2016-12-15 (NCEI Accession 0169401). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0169401. Accessed [date]

The National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) is a framework for conducting sustained observations of biological, climate, and socioeconomic indicators at 10 priority coral reefs across the U.S. and its territories. This integrated approach will consolidate monitoring of coral reefs under a uniform method in the Pacific, Atlantic, Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico for the first time. NCRMP is funded by the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) and supported by NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) and many other partners. NCCOS is co-leading biological monitoring missions with NOAA's Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) to gather data on fish populations and coral reef communities in the U.S. Caribbean, Florida, and the Gulf of Mexico. Each year, our scientists work closely with CRCP and local partners to collect biological data from thousands of strategically selected sites. We then use innovative analysis techniques to develop products that give fellow scientists, managers, decision makers and the public a better understanding of a region's resources and how they are changing over time. The biological component of NCRMP provides a biennial ecological characterization at a broad spatial scale of general reef condition for reef fishes, corals and benthic habitat (i.e., fish species composition/density/size, benthic cover, and coral density/size/condition). Data collection occurs at stratified random sites where the sampling domain for each region is partitioned by habitat type and depth, sub-regional location (e.g., along-shelf position) and management zone. Data provided in this data set were collected along the Florida reef tract from Dry Tortugas to Martin County

Three data sets are provided under the stationary point count fish protocols and are distributed as one compiled package: (1) Analysis Ready dataset , (2) Boatlog/Station dataset,and (3) raw QAQC'd sample data file. The methodology used for this survey can be found in the point count fish protocols.

All three data sets contain data fields on general station information (survey strata), and general station information (depth, rugosity). Each of the three data tables contain additional survey-specific data fields. For complete information and descriptions of attributes and data fields for all three data tables, refer to the data dictionary.

NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data.

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Data can be accessed via the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Ocean Archive, accession #0169401.

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Please reference NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC when utilizing these data in a report or peer reviewed publication.

Cite as: NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science; NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (2020). National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of coral communities in the Florida Reef Tract from 2018-06-05 to 2018-12-17 (NCEI Accession 0208322). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0208322. Accessed [date]

Quality control procedures for the 2016 Florida survey data is implemented in four main stages: (1) ongoing routine training of observers (initial detailed training, annual refresher training); (2) data check following data collection, where divers trade datasheets immediately upon returning to boat after dive, to ensure all data were collected accurately and required information is complete; (3) divers and independent reviewers compare datasheets with database entries; and (4) statistical analyses are conducted as the final check before distribution.

Before implementation the sampling design was reviewed and agreed upon by representatives from the program partners.

NOAA Fisheries ITS resources and assets.

Data sets and protocols are year specific. Data sets are based on year-specific protocols utilized for data collection.