St. John, USVI benthic habitat assessment and monitoring data (2001 - Present) using Rapid Habitat Assessment (RHA) survey methodology: 2011

Description

This fish and benthic composition database is the result of a multifaceted effort described below. The intent of this work is five fold: 1) To spatially characterize and monitor the distribution, abundance, and size of both reef fishes and macro-invertebrates (conch, lobster, Diadema); 2) To relate this information to in-situ data collected on associated benthic composition parameters; 3) To use this information to establish the knowledge base necessary for enacting management decisions in a spatial setting; 4) To establish the efficacy of those management decisions; and 5) To work with the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program to develop data collection standards and easily implemented methodologies for transference to other agencies and to work toward standardizing data collection throughout the US states and territories. Toward this end, the Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment's Biogeography Branch (BB) has been conducting research in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands since 2000 and 2001, respectively. It is critical, with recent changes in management at both locations (e.g. implementation of MPAs) as well as proposed changes (e.g. zoning to manage multiple human uses) that action is taken now to accurately describe and characterize the fish/macro-invertebrate populations in these areas. It is also important that BB work closely with the individuals responsible for recommending and implementing these management strategies. Recognizing this, BB has been collaborating with partners at the University of Puerto Rico, National Park Service, US Geological Survey and the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources. To quantify patterns of spatial distribution and make meaningful interpretations, we must first have knowledge of the underlying variables determining species distribution. The basis for this work therefore, is the nearshore benthic habitats maps (less than 100 ft depth) created by NOAA's Biogeography Program in 2001 and NOS' bathymetry models. Using ArcView GIS software, the digitized habitat maps are stratified to select sampling stations. Sites are randomly selected within these strata to ensure coverage of the entire study region and not just a particular reef or seagrass area. At each site, fish, macro-invertebrates, and benthic composition information is then quantified following standardized protocols. By relating the data collected in the field back to the habitat maps and bathymetric models, BB is able to model and map species level and community level information. These protocols are standardized throughout the US Caribbean to enable quantification and comparison of reef fish abundance and distribution trends between locations. Armed with the knowledge of where "hot spots" of species richness and diversity are likely to occur in the seascape, the BB is in a unique position to answer questions about the efficacy of marine zoning strategies (e.g. placement of no fishing, anchoring, or snorkeling locations), and what locations are most suitable for establishing MPAs. Knowledge of the current status of fish/macro-invertebrate communities coupled with longer term monitoring will enable evaluation of management efficacy, thus it is essential to future management actions.

Resources

Name Format Description Link
0 The information provided on this page seeks to define how the GCMD Keywords are structured, used and accessed. It also provides information on how users can participate in the further development of the keywords. https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/learn/find-data/idn/gcmd-keywords
0 Downloadable data http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/bpdmWeb/queryMain.aspx
0 Downloadable data http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/biogeo_public/habitat_photos.aspx
0 View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/39577
0 Online Resource http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/bpdmWeb/queryMain.aspx
0 Online Resource http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/ecosystems/coralreef/reef_fish/
0 Online Resource http://www8.nos.noaa.gov/biogeo_public/reef_photos.aspx
33 NOAA Data Management Plan for this record on InPort. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inportserve/waf/noaa/nos/nccos/dmp/pdf/39577.pdf

Tags

  • sponges visual images
  • coral cover
  • st. john (18n064w0011)
  • united states of america
  • boring
  • reef monitoring and assessment
  • aquatic habitat
  • virgin islands
  • coral bleaching visual images
  • corals
  • erect
  • benthic habitat
  • benthic
  • national ocean service
  • in situ biological
  • national centers for coastal ocean science
  • biosphere
  • biodiversity
  • oceans
  • algae
  • marine invertebrates
  • population density
  • encrusting
  • hard coral cover
  • environmental monitoring
  • description
  • calcareous macroalgae
  • noaa
  • numeric data sets
  • macroalgae visual images
  • algal cover
  • caribbean sea
  • hard coral cover live percentage
  • baseline studies
  • gorgonian visual images
  • st. john
  • macroinvertebrates
  • sponges
  • habitats
  • us_carib
  • atlantic ocean
  • u.s. department of commerce
  • earth science
  • coralline algae
  • vegetation
  • fleshy macroalgae
  • benthic habitat composition
  • crustose coralline algae
  • doc/noaa/nos/nccos
  • marine biology
  • encrusting macroalgae
  • benthos analysis
  • reef habitat
  • coral reef ecology
  • ocean basin
  • coastal processes
  • octocoral cover
  • census
  • zoology
  • coral reefs
  • u. s. virgin islands
  • rapid assessment studies
  • country/territory
  • rugosity
  • turf algae

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