Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring Report for American Samoa: 2002–2006

The Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring Report for American Samoa: 2002–2006 provides the most comprehensive integrated ecosystem assessment of the coral reefs of American Samoa performed to date. The data was collecting during three American Samoa Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (ASRAMP) surveys in 2002, 2004, and 2006—part of the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program’s broad-scale Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program. Across the U.S. Pacific Islands, Pacific RAMP surveys incorporate benthic habitat mapping, ecological and environmental assessment and monitoring, and applied research to support improved ecosystem-based management and conservation.

The vast quantity of ecosystem information collected during the three ASRAMP surveys has been processed and analyzed to provide user-friendly visuals, maps, and discussion in this report. The integrated ecosystem observations are consistent with and comparable to other Pacific RAMP observations in the Hawaiian Archipelago, the Territory of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Pacific Remote Island Areas. The monitoring report provides an opportunity to better understand the condition and health of the coral reefs of American Samoa relative to other reefs across the U.S. Pacific region.

The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center leads annual coral reef ecosystem surveys in different regions by working with with key partners from other NOAA offices, federal, state, and territorial agencies, academia, and non-governmental organizations. In particular, late Governor Sunia and Governor Tulafono, and the many individuals of the American Samoa Coral Reef Advisory Group agencies played pivotal roles in planning and implementing all three surveys discussed in this report.

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Brainard R, Asher J, Gove J, Helyer J, Kenyon J, Mancini F, Miller J, Myhre S, Nadon M, Rooney J, Schroeder R, Smith E, Vargas-Angel B, Vogt S, Vroom P, Balwani S, Craig P, DesRochers A, Ferguson S, Hoeke R, Lammers M, Lundblad E, Maragos J, Moffitt R, Timmers M, Vetter O. Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring Report for American Samoa, 2002–2006, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 472 p. + appendices, 2008.