Identification_Information: Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Publication_Date: 20120318 Title: CRED REA Belt Surveys of Coral Population and Disease Assessments at Swains Island, American Samoa in 2010 Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: spreadsheet Online_Linkage: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacific-islands/ecosystems/coral-reefs-pacific Description: Abstract: To support a long-term NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) for sustainable management and conservation of coral reef ecosystems, from 16-18 March 2010, belt transect surveys of coral population and diseases quantitative assessments were conducted, as a part of Rapid Ecological Assessments (REA), during the Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (RAMP) Cruise HI1001 in American Samoa at biennial intervals by the Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED) at the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC). During the cruise, there were 8 surveys in total conducted at REA sites around Swains Island in American Samoa. At the specific REA sites, coral biologists along with algal biologists and marine invertebrate zoologist entered the water and conducted a fine-scale (~300 m2) and high degree of taxonomic resolution REA survey to assess and monitor species composition, abundance, percent cover, size distribution, diversity, and general health of corals, macro-invertebrates, and algae in shallow-water (< 35 m) habitats. As a part of REA surveys, the coral belt surveys were focused on quantifying the diversity, abundance, density, and size-class distribution of the anthozoan and hydrozoan corals as well as the condition and health state of the coral reef populations. The surveys were conducted along two consecutively-placed, 25m transect lines. The belt width was 1-m wide, 0.5-m on each side of the transect line. Within each 25m transect, five 2.5-meter segments were surveyed (beginning at points: 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 meters), whereby in each segment, all coral colonies whose center fell within 0.5m of either side of the transect line were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible (genus or species) and two planar size metrics were collected: maximum diameter and diameter perpendicular to the maximum diameter. In addition, the extent of mortality, both recent and old, was estimated for each colony. Observers paid special attention to identifying as best as possible the extent of the former live colony. When a coral colony exhibited signs of disease or compromised health, additional information was recorded including type of affliction (bleaching, skeletal growth anomaly, white syndrome, tissue loss other than white syndrome, trematodiasis, necrosis, other, pigmentation responses, algal overgrowth, and predation), severity of the affliction (mild, moderate, marked, severe, acute), as well as photographic documentation and sometimes tissue samples. Tissue samples were catalogued and fixed in buffered zinc-formalin solution for further histopathological analyses. Raw survey data included species presence and relative abundance, colony counts per taxon, size (width and length), mortality, predation, and health status. A surveyed area was ranging from 10m2 to 25m2 per site. Purpose: Part of a long-term monitoring program at biennial intervals which documents the state of the reefs. Supplemental_Information: Maximum depth was 19 meters. Corals genera and disease observed: Year Region Island SPC_Code Species 2010 SAMOA Swains MOSP Montipora sp 2010 SAMOA Swains LESP Leptoseris sp 2010 SAMOA Swains PNIE Pssamocora nierstraszi 2010 SAMOA Swains PAVS Pavona sp 2010 SAMOA Swains POCS Pocillopora sp 2010 SAMOA Swains STYS Stylophora sp 2010 SAMOA Swains POSP Porites sp 2010 SAMOA Swains PSSP Pssamocora sp 2010 SAMOA Swains PMEA Pocillopora meandrina 2010 SAMOA Swains PMAL Pavona maldivensis 2010 SAMOA Swains SPIS Stylophora pistillata 2010 SAMOA Swains PVER Pocillopora verrucosa 2010 SAMOA Swains PDUE Pavona duedeni 2010 SAMOA Swains FSTE Favia stelligera 2010 SAMOA Swains PCLA Pavona clavus 2010 SAMOA Swains FSCU Fungia scutaria 2010 SAMOA Swains PVAR Pavona varians 2010 SAMOA Swains FUSP Fungia sp 2010 SAMOA Swains LEPT Leptastrea sp 2010 SAMOA Swains LMYC Leptoseris myceteroides 2010 SAMOA Swains PEYD Pocillopora eydouxi 2010 SAMOA Swains CCOL Coscinaraea columna 2010 SAMOA Swains PSTE Pssamocora stellata 2010 SAMOA Swains PHAI Pssamocora haimeana 2010 SAMOA Swains HCOE Heliopora coerulea 2010 SAMOA Swains PLOB Porites lobata 2010 SAMOA Swains SISP Sinularia sp 2010 SAMOA Swains PRUS Porites rus 2010 SAMOA Swains PCHI Pavona chiriquensis 2010 SAMOA Swains PMON Porites monticulosa 2010 SAMOA Swains ACSP Acropora sp 2010 SAMOA Swains PLUT Porites lutea 2010 SAMOA Swains PAUS Porites australiensis Year Region Island DZ_Code Disease Present 2010 SAMOA Swains BLE Bleaching 2010 SAMOA Swains CFD Coralline Fungal Disease 2010 SAMOA Swains HYP Pigmentation Response 2010 SAMOA Swains PRE Predation 2010 SAMOA Swains SGA Skeletal Growth Anomalies Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Range_of_Dates/Times: Beginning_Date: 20100316 Ending_Date: 20100318 Currentness_Reference: Ground condition Status: Progress: In Work Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: asNeeded Spatial_Domain: Bounding_Coordinates: West_Bounding_Coordinate: -171.0982965 East_Bounding_Coordinate: -171.0573416 North_Bounding_Coordinate: -11.04197284 South_Bounding_Coordinate: -11.07381158 Keywords: Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: NCEI Geoportal Filter Theme_Keyword: CoRIS_Metadata Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: CRCP Project Theme_Keyword: Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (Pacific RAMP): Biennial monitoring for the U.S. Pacific Islands and Atolls Theme_Keyword: 1221 Theme_Keyword: Incidence and characterization of coral diseases in the U.S. Pacific Islands Theme_Keyword: 1841 Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Theme_Keyword: Marine Ecosystem Theme_Keyword: Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (RAMP) Theme_Keyword: Rapid Ecoligical Assessments (REA) Theme_Keyword: Coral Reef Theme_Keyword: Coral Theme_Keyword: American Samoa Theme_Keyword: Swains Island Theme_Keyword: HI1001 Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Theme Thesaurus Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology > Coral cover Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > BioDiversity Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment Theme_Keyword: EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Rapid assessment studies Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus Theme_Keyword: Numeric Data Sets > Biology Theme: Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category Theme_Keyword: biota Theme_Keyword: 002 Place: Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Place_Keyword: American Samoa Place_Keyword: Swains Island Place: Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None Place_Keyword: South Pacific Place_Keyword: Swains Island Place: Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Place Thesaurus Place_Keyword: OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > American Samoa > Swains Atoll (11S171W0001) Place_Keyword: COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > American Samoa > Swains Atoll (11S171W0001) Place: Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: CoRIS Region Place_Keyword: AmSam Access_Constraints: Data are available two years following data collection date. Use_Constraints: Please cite CRED when using the data. Coral Reef Ecosystem Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Point_of_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical address Address: NOAA IRC Address: NMFS/PIFSC/CRED Address: 1845 WASP Blvd., Building 176 City: Honolulu State_or_Province: HI Postal_Code: 96818 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: 808 725-5360 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 808 725-5429 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: nmfs.pic.credinfo@noaa.gov Contact_Instructions: e-mail preferred Data_Set_Credit: Erin Looney, Bernardo Vargas-Angel, Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Sciences Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA Security_Information: Security_Classification_System: Not applicable Security_Classification: Unclassified Security_Handling_Description: Not applicable Native_Data_Set_Environment: Oracle Data_Quality_Information: Attribute_Accuracy: Attribute_Accuracy_Report: Observations were made by two divers who are experts in coral biology. The population parameter survey is conducted one time per site per survey year; it is not replicated. Logical_Consistency_Report: With the exception of the non-quantitative survey along the backreef, the same methods of data collection were used at each of the sites surveyed at this location, and were conducted by the same scientists. Completeness_Report: The survey sites were selected to be representative of the dominant habitats at this reef system. Efforts were made to include broad spatial coverage of the reef area, but weather conditions or other environmental constraints may have precluded the team from surveying windward or exposed sites. Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report: GPS unit Quantitative_Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Assessment: Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Value: 1 Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Explanation: Instrument parameters Vertical_Positional_Accuracy: Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Report: Dive computer and SCUBA depth gauge Quantitative_Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Assessment: Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Value: 0.3 Vertical_Positional_Accuracy_Explanation: Instrument parameters Lineage: Process_Step: Process_Description: REA surveys are investigations that provide a high degree of taxonomic resolution for coral, algae, and other macroinvertebrate communities. The surveys were conducted using a combination of dive teams which generally included a two person coral/coral disease team and a combined team of two algae biologists and one macroinvertebrate biologist. The majority of REA surveys were conducted along the forereef slopes of individual islands at depths between 10 and 20 m. However, additional surveyed habitats included a lagoonal-type patch reef and offshore oceanic banks. During REA surveys, biological assessment teams follow highly structured protocols that are repeated at each REA site. Upon arrival at an REA site, two teams of divers enter the water over spaced time intervals. The algal/invertebrate team firstly enters the water and deploys a 25-m transect line. After approximately 20 min, the coral team enters the water and begins to work along the first transect line. By this time the algal/invertebrate team has deployed and begun surveys along a second 25-m transect. The sampling effort takes between 60 and 80 min to complete. The selection of REA sites was made in close consultation with Coral Reef Advisory Group (CRAG) and local agencies. Factors considered during REA site selection included: (1) ensuring a range of sample sites representative of the benthic and reef fish habitats around each island; (2) selecting a mixture of sites within and outside of marine protected areas; (3) selecting a mixture of both 'impacted' and 'least impacted' sites; (4) selecting some sites adjacent to local villages, and (5) selecting a number of sites that could be compared to and complement previous assessment and monitoring work as well as future coral reef monitoring proposed by CRAG and local agencies. It is important to note that access to REA sites can be limited by wave exposure, weather conditions, and other environmental factors such as currents, which can affect the ability to resurvey sites between years. Transect placement was guided by: (1) a focus on hard-bottom communities; (2) deploying lines along an isobath to the extent possible at each site, and (3) laying the transect lines into the prevailing current. Process_Date: Unknown Spatial_Reference_Information: Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition: Geographic: Latitude_Resolution: 0.0001 Longitude_Resolution: 0.0001 Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal Degrees Geodetic_Model: Horizontal_Datum_Name: World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84) Ellipsoid_Name: Geodetic Reference System 80 (GRS80) Semi-major_Axis: 6378137 Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 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 Distribution_Information: Distributor: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical address Address: NOAA IRC Address: NMFS/PIFSC/CRED Address: 1845 WASP Blvd., Building 176 City: Honolulu State_or_Province: HI Postal_Code: 96818 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: 808 725-5360 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 808 725-5429 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: nmfs.pic.credinfo@noaa.gov Contact_Instructions: e-mail preferred Resource_Description: Offline Data Distribution_Liability: 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. Standard_Order_Process: Digital_Form: Digital_Transfer_Information: Format_Name: XLS (Microsoft Excel worksheet) Digital_Transfer_Option: Offline_Option: Offline_Media: CDROM, or email Recording_Format: ISO 9660 Fees: None if receiving the data online Custom_Order_Process: Contact CRED data management team for information Technical_Prerequisites: Contact CRED data management team for information Metadata_Reference_Information: Metadata_Date: 20190605 Metadata_Review_Date: 20101021 Metadata_Contact: Contact_Information: Contact_Organization_Primary: Contact_Organization: Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Contact_Address: Address_Type: mailing and physical address Address: NOAA IRC Address: NMFS/PIFSC/CRED Address: 1845 WASP Blvd., Building 176 City: Honolulu State_or_Province: HI Postal_Code: 96818 Country: USA Contact_Voice_Telephone: 808 725-5360 Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 808 725-5429 Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: nmfs.pic.credinfo@noaa.gov Contact_Instructions: e-mail preferred Metadata_Standard_Name: the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998 CoRIS: CoRIS_ID: 20101021014418 CoRIS_Children: None CoRIS_Beginning_Date: 20100316 CoRIS_Ending_Date: 20100318 CoRIS_Metadata_Link: https://www.coris.noaa.gov/metadata/records/html/cred_rea_coral_swains_2010.html CoRIS_Tracking_ID: 6018