Description
This metadata record describes the benthic imagery, raw benthic cover, mean benthic cover, and mean macroalgae cover data of Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef in American Samoa, produced from the benthic imagery analysis performed by the Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) of the Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) and funded by the Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP). Benthic imagery was collected at 20 randomly-selected sites during coral demographic surveys by the NOAA ESD during the 2024 fly-in mission to American Samoa (MP2502). After processing and sorting site photos, imagery was qualitatively analyzed using the web-based CoralNet image annotation tool. CoralNet projects random points on each image, and the benthic elements falling directly underneath each point are identified by trained scientists.
Data from benthic surveys of Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef establishes a comprehensive biological baseline for land-based sources of pollution impacts on benthic composition and coral demography. These efforts feed into the higher-level CRCP objectives by establishing an in-situ tracking system to assess the effects of management and mitigation strategies and activities in the target watersheds to reduce land-based sources of pollution impacts on coral reefs.
Resources
| Name | Format | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| CoralNet Home Page | Unknown | CoralNet home page. The online tool used to analyze the benthic images for benthic cover. | Open resource |
| CoralNet Home Page | Unknown | CoralNet home page. The online tool used to analyze the benthic images for benthic cover. | Open resource |
| ESD_LBSP_SiteInfo_Nuuuli_2024.csv | Unknown | List of survey sites, including site id, location (latitude/longitude), and survey date, where photoquads were collected. | Open resource |
| ESD_LBSP_SiteInfo_Nuuuli_2024.csv | Unknown | List of survey sites, including site id, location (latitude/longitude), and survey date, where photoquads were collected. | Open resource |
| ESD_mean_benthic_cover_Nuuuli_2004 | Unknown | Mean benthic cover data calculated from ESD_BIA_CNET_ANALYSIS_Nuuuli_2024.csv. Benthic images collected during belt transect surveys conducted by the NOAA Ecosystem Sciences Division, (ESD) in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef, Tutuila, American Samoa in 2024. | Open resource |
| ESD_mean_benthic_cover_Nuuuli_2004 | Unknown | Mean benthic cover data calculated from ESD_BIA_CNET_ANALYSIS_Nuuuli_2024.csv. Benthic images collected during belt transect surveys conducted by the NOAA Ecosystem Sciences Division, (ESD) in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef, Tutuila, American Samoa in 2024. | Open resource |
| ESD_mean_macroalgae_cover_Nuuuli_2024 | Unknown | Mean macroalgae cover data calculated from ESD_BIA_CNET_ANALYSIS_Nuuuli_2024.csv. Benthic images collected during belt transect surveys conducted by the NOAA Ecosystem Sciences Division, (ESD) in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef, Tutuila, American Samoa in 2024. | Open resource |
| ESD_LBSP_images_Nuuuli_2024 | Unknown | Photoquadrat benthic images collected in 2024 at 20 randomly selected sites (30 photos per site) in Nu'uuli, Tutuila, American Samoa via belt transect surveys of coral demography by the NOAA Ecosystem Sciences Division , Archipelagic Research Program (ESD, ARP). | Open resource |
| ESD_LBSP_images_Nuuuli_2024 | Unknown | Photoquadrat benthic images collected in 2024 at 20 randomly selected sites (30 photos per site) in Nu'uuli, Tutuila, American Samoa via belt transect surveys of coral demography by the NOAA Ecosystem Sciences Division , Archipelagic Research Program (ESD, ARP). | Open resource |
| ESD_mean_macroalgae_cover_Nuuuli_2024 | Unknown | Mean macroalgae cover data calculated from ESD_BIA_CNET_ANALYSIS_Nuuuli_2024.csv. Benthic images collected during belt transect surveys conducted by the NOAA Ecosystem Sciences Division, (ESD) in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef, Tutuila, American Samoa in 2024. | Open resource |
| NOAA CRCP Land-based Sources of Pollution | HTML | NOAA CRCP page 'Reduce Land-Based Sources of Pollution'; includes other related links | Open resource |
| NOAA CRCP Land-based Sources of Pollution | HTML | NOAA CRCP page 'Reduce Land-Based Sources of Pollution'; includes other related links | Open resource |
| GCMD Keyword Forum Page | Unknown | Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 22. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords | Open resource |
| GCMD Keyword Forum Page | Unknown | Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 22. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords | Open resource |
| Full Metadata Record | Unknown | View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset. | Open resource |
| Full Metadata Record | Unknown | View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset. | Open resource |
| NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) | NOAA Data Management Plan for this record on InPort. | Open resource | |
| NOAA Data Management Plan (DMP) | NOAA Data Management Plan for this record on InPort. | Open resource | |
| PIFSC website | Unknown | Overview of research and programs at the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) | Open resource |
| PIFSC website | Unknown | Overview of research and programs at the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) | Open resource |
| ESD_LBSP_benthic_cover_Nuuuli_2024.csv | Unknown | Raw benthic cover data derived from analysis of benthic images collected during belt transect surveys conducted by the NOAA Ecosystem Sciences Division, (ESD) in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef, Tutuila, American Samoa in 2024. | Open resource |
| ESD_LBSP_benthic_cover_Nuuuli_2024.csv | Unknown | Raw benthic cover data derived from analysis of benthic images collected during belt transect surveys conducted by the NOAA Ecosystem Sciences Division, (ESD) in Nu'uuli Pala Lagoon and Backreef, Tutuila, American Samoa in 2024. | Open resource |
| Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Website | Unknown | Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center homepage | Open resource |
| Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Website | Unknown | Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center homepage | Open resource |
Tags
- 31454
- algae
- algal cover
- american samoa
- animals/invertebrates
- anthozoans/hexacorals
- aquatic habitat
- archipelagic research program
- aua (14s170w0028)
- baseline studies
- belt transect
- benthic
- benthic biology
- benthic communitiies
- benthic cover
- benthic habitat
- benthic species
- benthos analysis
- biological classification
- biosphere
- cnidarians
- coastal processes
- coral cover
- coralnet
- coral reef
- coral reef conservation program
- coral reef ecology
- coral reefs
- coral reef studies
- corals
- country/territory
- crustose coralline algae
- develop monitoring capacity of american samoan jurisdictional partners and observing lbsp impacts on
- doc/noaa/nmfs/pifsc
- earth science
- ecosystems
- ecosystem sciences division
- encrusting macroalgae
- esd
- fleshy macroalgae
- hard coral cover
- hard or stony corals
- image analyses
- imagery
- land-based source pollution
- lbsp
- macroalgae (seaweeds)
- macroalgal cover
- marine ecosystems
- national marine fisheries service
- nmfs
- noaa
- numeric data sets
- ocean basin
- oceans
- pacific islands fisheries science center
- pacific ocean
- photographic analysis
- pifsc
- plants
- reef
- reef habitat
- reef monitoring and assessment
- south pacific ocean
- transect monitoring
- turf algae
- tutuila island
- united states of america
- u.s. department of commerce
- us doc
- vegetation
- zoology