Data are intended to elucidate the relationship between colony configuration and fish assemblages to foster understanding of ecological services provided by the branching coral and guide manager's decisions and restoration activities. Data include 1) reef fish assemblage measures (i.e., abundance, individual sizes, and identification to the lowest taxonomic level possible) and 2) colony measures of size, coverage, growth, mortality, and indications of stress (e.g., presence of disease or predation).
Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
- Access_Constraints: none
- Use_Constraints:
- The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Galveston Laboratory Fishery Ecology Branch compiled this data set in order to develop a scientific basis for understanding coral reef ecosystem dynamics and for refining essential fish habitat designation for future amendments to fishery management plans. NMFS is not responsible for any uses of these data sets beyond those for which they were intended, and NMFS makes no claims regarding the accuracy of any data provided by agencies or individuals outside NMFS. NMFS does not approve, recommend, or endorse any proprietary product or proprietary material mentioned in these files. Dataset credit requested and NMFS would appreciate recognition as the resource from which these data were obtained in any publications and/or other representations of these data.
While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.