Benthic Surveys in Vatia, American Samoa: comprehensive assessment of coral demography (adult and juvenile corals) from belt transect surveys from 2020-01-23 to 2020-01-29 (NCEI Accession 0240417)

Description

Jurisdictional managers have expressed concerns that nutrients from the village of Vatia, Tutuila, American Samoa, are having an adverse effect on the adjacent coral reef ecosystem. Excess nutrient loads promote increases in algal growth that can have deleterious effects on corals, such as benthic algae outcompeting and overgrowing corals. Nitrogen and phosphorus can also directly impact corals by lowering fertilization success, and reducing both photosynthesis and calcification rates. Land-based contributions of nutrients come from a variety of sources; in Vatia the most likely sources are poor wastewater management from piggeries and septic systems. NOAA scientists conducted benthic surveys to establish a baseline against which to compare changes in the algal and coral assemblages in response to land-based sources of pollution, including nutrient fluxes. The data described here result from benthic coral demographic surveys within belt transects of specified length and width for two life stages (juveniles and adults) in Vatia Bay American Samoa in 2020. The data provide information on adult coral colony counts, morphology, size, partial mortality (old and recent dead), presence and causation of disease and other compromised health conditions, including bleaching. Juvenile colony surveys include morphology and size. Taxonomic identification of adult colonies is to the species level and genus level for juveniles. In 2020, the survey implemented was a one-stage stratified random sampling (StRS) design to assess the Vatia coral reef community. The survey domain encompassed the majority of the mapped area of reef and hard bottom habitats in the 0–30 m depth range. The stratification scheme included cardinal position (i.e., north and south) and depth (i.e., shallow: >0–6 m and mid-depth: >6–18 m). Sampling effort allocation was determined based on strata area and sites randomly located within strata. The StRS design effectively reduces estimate variance through stratification using environmental covariates and by sampling more sites rather than more transects per site. Therefore, site-to-site comparisons should proceed with caution.

Resources

Name Format Description Link
0 Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2023. GCMD Keywords, Version 17. 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 https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords
0 Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2023. GCMD Keywords, Version 17. 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 https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords
0 Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0240417
0 Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/oas/240417
0 Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/download/240417
0 These data are available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is no longer supported by most internet browsers. You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP). ftp://ftp-oceans.ncei.noaa.gov/nodc/archive/arc0186/0240417/
0 Information for contacts at NCEI. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact
0 Institution web page https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/
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0 Information for contacts at NCEI. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact
0 InPort Metadata Record https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/30771
0 NOAA Central Library: Data Report https://doi.org/10.25923/r7dd-wg50
0 Institution web page https://library.noaa.gov/
0 Institution web page https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/
0 Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2023. GCMD Keywords, Version 17. 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 https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords
0 Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2023. GCMD Keywords, Version 17. 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 https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords
0 Vargas-Angel, B., Schumacher, B.D. 2018. Baseline surveys for coral reef community structure and demographics in Vatia Bay and Faga'alu Bay, American Samoa. Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, PIFSC Special Publication, SP-18-002, 38 p. https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/SP-PIFSC-18-002 https://doi.org/10.7289/V5/SP-PIFSC-18-002
0 Whitall, D., Curtis, M., Mason, A., Vargas-Angel, B. 2019. Excess Nutrients in Vatia Bay, American Samoa: Spatiotemporal Variability, Source Identification and Impact on Coral Reef Ecosystems. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 266. Silver Spring. 69 pages. https://doi.org/10.25923/j8cp-x570 https://doi.org/10.25923/j8cp-x570
0 Information for contacts at NCEI. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact
0 Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. 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 https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords
0 related journal article https://doi.org/10.25923/j8cp-x570
0 NOAA Central Library: Data Report https://doi.org/10.25923/r7dd-wg50
0 Institution web page https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/
0 Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0240417
0 Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/oas/240417
0 Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/download/240417
0 These data are available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is no longer supported by most internet browsers. You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP). ftp://ftp-oceans.ncei.noaa.gov/nodc/archive/arc0186/0240417/
0 Information for contacts at NCEI. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact
0 Institution web page https://www.soest.hawaii.edu/cimar/
0 Institution web page https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/
0 Institution web page https://coast.noaa.gov/
0 Information for contacts at NCEI. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact
0 Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. 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 https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords
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0 InPort Metadata Record https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/30771
0 related journal article https://doi.org/10.7289/v5/sp-pifsc-18-002
0 related journal article https://doi.org/10.25923/j8cp-x570
0 NOAA Central Library: Data Report https://doi.org/10.25923/r7dd-wg50
0 Institution web page https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/
0 Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. 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 https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords
0 Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0240417
0 Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/oas/240417
0 Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/download/240417
0 These data are available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is no longer supported by most internet browsers. You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP). ftp://ftp-oceans.ncei.noaa.gov/nodc/archive/arc0186/0240417/
0 Information for contacts at NCEI. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact
0 Institution web page https://www.soest.hawaii.edu/cimar/
0 Institution web page https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/
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0 Institution web page https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/
0 Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. 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 https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords
0 Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. 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 https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords
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0 InPort Metadata Record https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/30771
0 related journal article https://doi.org/10.7289/v5/sp-pifsc-18-002
0 related journal article https://doi.org/10.25923/j8cp-x570
0 NOAA Central Library: Data Report https://doi.org/10.25923/r7dd-wg50
0 Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0240417
0 Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/oas/240417
0 Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/download/240417
0 These data are available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is no longer supported by most internet browsers. You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP). ftp://ftp-oceans.ncei.noaa.gov/nodc/archive/arc0186/0240417/
0 Information for contacts at NCEI. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact
0 Institution web page https://www.soest.hawaii.edu/cimar/
0 Institution web page https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/
0 Institution web page https://coast.noaa.gov/
0 Institution web page https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/
0 Institution web page https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/
0 Information for contacts at NCEI. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact
0 Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. 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 https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords
0 Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. 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 https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords
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0 InPort Metadata Record https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/30771
0 related journal article https://doi.org/10.7289/v5/sp-pifsc-18-002
0 related journal article https://doi.org/10.25923/j8cp-x570
0 NOAA Central Library: Data Report https://doi.org/10.25923/r7dd-wg50
0 Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0240417
0 Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/oas/240417
0 Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/download/240417
0 These data are available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is no longer supported by most internet browsers. You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP). ftp://ftp-oceans.ncei.noaa.gov/nodc/archive/arc0186/0240417/
0 Information for contacts at NCEI. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact
0 Institution web page https://www.soest.hawaii.edu/cimar/
0 Institution web page https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/
0 Institution web page https://coast.noaa.gov/
0 Institution web page https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/
0 Institution web page https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/
0 Information for contacts at NCEI. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact
0 Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. 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 https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords
0 Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. 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 https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords
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0 InPort Metadata Record https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/30771
0 related journal article https://doi.org/10.7289/v5/sp-pifsc-18-002
0 Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0240417
0 Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/oas/240417
0 Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/download/240417
0 These data are available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is no longer supported by most internet browsers. You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP). ftp://ftp-oceans.ncei.noaa.gov/nodc/archive/arc0186/0240417/
0 Information for contacts at NCEI. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact
0 Institution web page https://www.soest.hawaii.edu/cimar/
0 Institution web page https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/
0 Information for contacts at NCEI. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact
0 Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. 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 https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords
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0 InPort Metadata Record https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/30771
0 related journal article https://doi.org/10.7289/v5/sp-pifsc-18-002
0 related journal article https://doi.org/10.25923/j8cp-x570
0 NOAA Central Library: Data Report https://doi.org/10.25923/r7dd-wg50
0 Institution web page https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/
0 Institution web page https://coast.noaa.gov/
0 Institution web page https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/
0 Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. 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 https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords

Tags

  • united states of america
  • coral reef conservation program (crcp)
  • reef monitoring and assessment
  • corals
  • in situ biological
  • biosphere
  • coral - mortality
  • coral - bleaching severity
  • oceans
  • american samoa
  • 31259
  • tutuila
  • vatia bay
  • coral - health condition
  • numeric data sets
  • baseline studies
  • oceanography
  • status and trends assessment for lbsp impacts on reef communities in faga'alu bay and vatia bay
  • biology
  • earth science
  • coral colony size and condition
  • shore based
  • benthic biology
  • reef damage assessment
  • coral - condition extent
  • coral diseases
  • marine biology
  • coral communities
  • pollution
  • bleaching
  • benthos analysis
  • survey - swimmer/diver
  • transect monitoring
  • coral reef ecology
  • ocean basin
  • coral - morphology
  • coral
  • vatia bay (14s170w0028)
  • coastal processes
  • coral mortality
  • tutuila island
  • zoology
  • coral reefs
  • pacific ocean
  • rapid assessment studies
  • country/territory
  • belt transect
  • 9619un
  • colony - recent mortality cause

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