National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of coral reef fish communities in the U.S. Virgin Islands from 2017-06-12 to 2017-08-04 (NCEI Accession 0176080)

The National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) assessed coral reef fish communities in St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) using the stationary point count method (7.5m radius cylinder).

This method collects and reports information on species composition, density, size structure, abundance and derived metrics (e.g., species richness, diversity). Data are collected using a 2-stage, stratified random survey design in hardbottom and coral reef habitats less than 30m in depth.

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

Three datasets 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 datasets contain data fields on general station information (survey strata, depth, rugosity). Each of these data tables contain additional survey-specific data fields. For complete information and descriptions of attributes and data fields for all data tables, refer to the data dictionaries.

The National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) details a long-term approach to provide an ecosystem perspective via monitoring climate, fish, benthic, and socioeconomic variables in a consistent and integrated manner. The NCRMP is intended to coordinate various Coral Reef Conservation Coral Reef Program (CRCP) biological, physical, and human dimensions activities into a cohesive NOAA-wide effort. Through the implementation of the NCRMP, NOAA will be able to clearly and concisely communicate results of national-scale monitoring to national, state, and territorial policy makers, resource managers, and the public on a periodic basis. 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 dataset are from St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John, and surrounding Sail Rock and mid-shelf reef region. Lead agencies involved include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) and the National Park Service (NPS).

Cited Author NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

Contributors

US DOC; NOAA; NMFS; Southeast Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/SEFSC)

US DOC; NOAA; NOS; National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)

Cite as: National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS); Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) (2018). National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of coral reef fish communities in the U.S. Virgin Islands from 2017-06-12 to 2017-08-04 (NCEI Accession 0176080). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0176080. Accessed [date].

For version 2.2 of the data, the updates include column header formatting and name changes to the data files, and updated descriptions and names for the associated dictionary files. There were no changes to actual data values, nor metadata - therefore we are requesting just file updates.

Cite as: National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS); Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) (2018). National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Assessment of coral reef fish communities in the U.S. Virgin Islands from 2017-06-12 to 2017-08-04 (NCEI Accession 0176080). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0176080. Accessed [date].

Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.