FBSAD Recruit Reef Fish Belt Transect Survey at Hawaii Island (Big Island), Main Hawaiian Islands, 2005 (NODC Accession 0046935)

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
FBSAD Recruit Reef Fish Belt Transect Survey at Hawaii Island (Big Island), Main Hawaiian Islands, 2005 (NODC Accession 0046935)
Abstract:
Shore-based belt transects were conducted at 8-13 m depths at 3 longshore sites on the leeward coast (North and South Kohala districts) of the Big Island (Hawaii Island) in the MHI during spring 2005. From 8-10 randomly positioned transects were surveyed at each site; each transect was 25-m long x 2-m wide (50 m**2 area). Raw survey data consist of species-specific and size-specific (total length, TL, in cm) numerical counts of recruit (< 5 cm total length, TL) and larger (5-10 cm TL) juvenile reef fishes encountered within transect boundaries. The study was published in a peer-reviewed marine science journal in August 2007. The full citation is: "DeMartini EE, Anderson TW (2007) Habitat associations and aggregation of recruit fishes on Hawaiian coral reefs. Bulletin of Marine Science 81(1):139-152".
Supplemental_Information:
The maximum observation depth was 13 meters. Fish observed DATAFILE NAME: RECRUIT-REEF-FISH_BELT_TRANSECTS_2005.xls File date: 12MAR08 Size: 451 records (69 kb)

This file consists of the following eight (8) variables. The permissible values of these variables, including names of categories if the variable is a classification variable, are noted [in brackets]:

DATE $ DDMMMYY [range: 23MAY05 to 10JUN05]

ISLAND $ [One (1) category: 'BIG']

SITE $ [Three (3) categories: 'PUK_END', 'HOLO', 'MAHU']

OBSERVER $ [One (1) category: 'EED']

TRANSECT [Transect number = 1, 2, 3 ... n, where n = 1-10 if SITE = 'HOLO' or if SITE = 'MAHU' but where n = 1-8 if SITE = 'PUK_END']

FISH_SP $ [Four-letter acronym based on 1st 2 letters of the genus name and 1st 2 letters of the specific epithet of each fish individual recorded; the acronyms used are identical to those used by the Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED) of the NOAA Fisheries, Pacific Islands Fisheries Research Center, to code all of their central and western North Pacific reef fish records]

SIZ(TL,cm) [Visually estimated body length in centimeters of each fish individual tallied on transect count; TL is the abbreviation for "Total Length", the same metric is used to represent length on the CRED Fish Surveys]

NUMBER [Number of individuals of that size and species tallied on that transect]

  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Fishery Biology and Stock Assessment Division (FBSAD), Pacific Island Fisheries Sciences Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 20080331, FBSAD Recruit Reef Fish Belt Transect Survey at Hawaii Island (Big Island), Main Hawaiian Islands, 2005 (NODC Accession 0046935).

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -155.901
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -155.859
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 20.184
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 19.955
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 23-May-2005
    Ending_Date: 10-Jun-2005
    Currentness_Reference: Ground condition
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: spreadsheet
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.0001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.0001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Degrees and decimal minutes. The horizontal datum used is World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84).
      The ellipsoid used is Geodetic Reference System 80 (GRS80).
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.2572236.
      Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:
      Depth_System_Definition:
      Depth_Datum_Name: Local surface
      Depth_Resolution: 1
      Depth_Distance_Units: meters
      Depth_Encoding_Method: Explicit depth coordinate included with horizontal coordinates
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
    EED = Edward E. DeMartini, Fishery Biology and Stock Assessment Division (FBSAD), Pacific Island Fisheries Sciences Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    Fishery Biology and Stock Assessment Division (FBSAD), Pacific Island Fisheries Sciences Center, National Marine Fisheries Service
    Attn: Dr. Edward E. DeMartini
    NOAA IRC
    Honolulu, HI
    USA

    808-725-5376 (voice)
    808-983-2902 (FAX)

Why was the data set created?

To provide reef fish density estimates as the first spring survey of a multi-year project using in situ diver observational data collected at sites of differing habitat structure, to descriptively test predictions relating to the use of specific habitats by various species of coral reef fishes in Hawaii.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: Unknown (process 1 of 1)
    Data were collected by a single diver (EED), who swam along the length of each 25-m x 2-m (50 m**2) transect line. All recruit (< 5 cm TL) and larger (5-10 cm TL) juvenile fishes were tallied during a single swim along the viewing path as the diver laid out the transect line. Fish were identified to species. Upon returning to shore, EED corrected the field sheets for legibility, and the data were subsequently entered by EED into Excel spreadsheets and error checked by computer for outliers and other discrepancies. This data set consists of raw data - fish count data have not been standardized to density. In order to do so, the counts of each transect must be divided by 50 to standardize the counts to density as N fish per m**2. (Unstandardized counts of course are identical to densities of N fish per 50 m**2.) The positions of individual transects were not recorded by GPS; the 8-10 transects at each site were scattered haphazardly throughout 1.0-1.5 ha areas centered on: SITE = 'PUK_END': 19.962 N lat, -155.859 W lon SITE = 'HOLO': 19.955 N lat, -155.864 W lon SITE = 'MAHU': 20.184 N lat, -155.901 W lon
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    Observations at each site were made by a single diver (EED) experienced in Hawaiian reef fish taxonomy and underwater survey techniques. Observations were periodically checked during the surveys for consistency in recording protocols. Logical_Consistency_Report: The same methods of data collection were used at each of the sites surveyed, and all data were recorded by EED. Periodic examination of the data through the duration of the surveys showed no signs of diver bias or other discrepancies.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    GPS unit
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
    Dive computer and SCUBA depth gauge
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    The 3 survey sites were selected to be representative of wave-exposed (SITE = 'PUK_END', for "Point at End of the Road, Puako Beach Drive"); partially exposed (SITE = 'HOLO', for "Holoholokai Beach Park"), and wave-protected (SITE = 'MAHU', for "Mahukona") fringing reef habitats of the North and South Kohala districts coasts of leeward Hawaii Island. A completely balanced design (a constant 10 transects per each of 3 sites) was initially intended but the outcome was slightly unbalanced (only 8 transects at the 'PUK_END' Site) due to time constraints.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    The same methods of data collection were used at each of the sites surveyed, and all data were estimated and recorded by the same two scientists. Periodic examination of the data through the duration of the surveys showed no signs of diver bias or other discrepancies; this was further supported by the results of post hoc analyses evaluating diver comparability.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints:
Please cite FBSAD when using the data. Fishery Biology and Stock Assessment Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    Fishery Biology and Stock Assessment Division (FBSAD), Pacific Island Fisheries Sciences Center, National Marine Fisheries Service
    Attn: Edward E. DeMartini
    NOAA IRC
    Honolulu, HI
    USA

    808-725-5376 (voice)
    808-983-2902 (FAX)
    edward.demartini@noaa.gov
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? Downloadable Data
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    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.
  4. How can I download or order the data?
  5. Is there some other way to get the data?
    Please contact Dr. Edward E. DeMartini for inquiries and data
  6. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?
    None

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 06-Jan-2021
Last Reviewed: 23-Sep-2008
Metadata author:
Edward E. DeMartini
Fishery Biology and Stock Assessment Division (FBSAD), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service
NOAA IRC
Honolulu, HI
USA

808-725-5376 (voice)
808-983-2902 (FAX)
edward.demartini@noaa.gov
Metadata standard:
Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
Generated by mp version 2.9.48 on Tue Apr 23 11:01:05 2024