Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
20120320
CRED REA Belt Surveys of Coral Population and Disease Assessments at Ta'u Island, American Samoa in 2010
spreadsheet
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacific-islands/ecosystems/coral-reefs-pacific
To support a long-term NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) for sustainable management and conservation of coral reef ecosystems, from 12-13, 20 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 9 surveys in total conducted at REA sites around Ta'u 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.
Part of a long-term monitoring program at biennial intervals which documents the state of the reefs.
Maximum depth was 18 meters.
Corals genera and disease observed:
Year Region Island SPC_Code Species
2010 SAMOA Tau MCUR Montastrea curta
2010 SAMOA Tau FASP Favia sp
2010 SAMOA Tau FSTE Favia stelligera
2010 SAMOA Tau ACSP Acropora sp
2010 SAMOA Tau MOSP Montipora sp
2010 SAMOA Tau LEPT Leptastrea sp
2010 SAMOA Tau PHAI Pssamocora haimeana
2010 SAMOA Tau ASSP Astreopora sp
2010 SAMOA Tau GOSP Goniastrea sp
2010 SAMOA Tau PCHI Pavona chiriquensis
2010 SAMOA Tau LPRU Leptastrea pruinosa
2010 SAMOA Tau CYPS Cyphastrea sp
2010 SAMOA Tau LOBS Lobophyllia sp
2010 SAMOA Tau PLSP Platygyra sp
2010 SAMOA Tau MONS Montastrea sp
2010 SAMOA Tau FAVS Favites sp
2010 SAMOA Tau PVAR Pavona varians
2010 SAMOA Tau GFAS Galaxea fascicularis
2010 SAMOA Tau PPIN Platygyra pini
2010 SAMOA Tau ISOP Isopora sp
2010 SAMOA Tau POSP Porites sp
2010 SAMOA Tau PMEA Pocillopora meandrina
2010 SAMOA Tau FUSP Fungia sp
2010 SAMOA Tau ACAS Acanthastrea sp
2010 SAMOA Tau PRUS Porites rus
2010 SAMOA Tau LMYC Leptoseris myceteroides
2010 SAMOA Tau EGEM Echinopora gemmacea
2010 SAMOA Tau GEDW Goniastrea edwarsi
2010 SAMOA Tau MCAL Monitpora caliculata
2010 SAMOA Tau LEPS Leptoseris sp
2010 SAMOA Tau POCS Pocillopora sp
2010 SAMOA Tau PEYD Pocillopora eydouxi
2010 SAMOA Tau LPUR Leptastrea purpurea
2010 SAMOA Tau GPEC Goniastrea pectinata
2010 SAMOA Tau FMAT Favia matthaii
2010 SAMOA Tau PCAC Pavona cactus
2010 SAMOA Tau GOAS Goniastrea aspera
2010 SAMOA Tau MVEC Montipora verrucosa
2010 SAMOA Tau FCOM Favites complanata
2010 SAMOA Tau FFAV Favia favus
2010 SAMOA Tau FSCU Fungia scutaria
2010 SAMOA Tau GONS Goniopora sp
2010 SAMOA Tau PLOB Porites lobata
2010 SAMOA Tau SYSP Symphyllia sp
2010 SAMOA Tau FGRA Fungia granulosa
2010 SAMOA Tau PAVS Pavona sp
2010 SAMOA Tau IPAL Isopora palifera
2010 SAMOA Tau MVAL Montastrea valenciennesi
2010 SAMOA Tau FFUN Fungia fungites
2010 SAMOA Tau GRET Goniastrea retiformis
2010 SAMOA Tau FDAN Favia danae
2010 SAMOA Tau PLDA Platygyra daedalea
2010 SAMOA Tau PASP Palythoa sp
2010 SAMOA Tau ICRA Isopora craterformis
2010 SAMOA Tau SCAS Stylophora sp
2010 SAMOA Tau TREN Turbinaria reniformis
2010 SAMOA Tau TURS Turbinaria sp
2010 SAMOA Tau MISP Millepora sp
2010 SAMOA Tau SISP Sinularia sp
2010 SAMOA Tau HEXE Hydnophora exesa
2010 SAMOA Tau SASP Sandalolitha sp
2010 SAMOA Tau DISP Diploastrea sp
2010 SAMOA Tau CCOL Coscinaraea columna
2010 SAMOA Tau ALSP Alveopora sp
2010 SAMOA Tau LESP Leptoseris sp
2010 SAMOA Tau PDUE Pavona duerdeni
2010 SAMOA Tau FPAL Favia pallida
2010 SAMOA Tau ASAM Acropora samoensis
2010 SAMOA Tau GASP Goniastrea aspera
2010 SAMOA Tau SARM Stylocoeniella armata
2010 SAMOA Tau PVER Pocillopora verrucosa
2010 SAMOA Tau ECHP Echinopora sp
2010 SAMOA Tau MFOV Montipora foveolata
2010 SAMOA Tau OUSP Oulophyllia sp
2010 SAMOA Tau PMAL Pavona maldivensis
2010 SAMOA Tau CLSP Cladiella sp
2010 SAMOA Tau LOBP Lobophyllia sp
2010 SAMOA Tau LBEW Leptastrea bewickensis
2010 SAMOA Tau SCSP Scapophyllia sp
2010 SAMOA Tau HYSP Hydnophora sp
Year Region Island DZ_Code Diseases Present
2010 SAMOA Tau ALG Algal Infection
2010 SAMOA Tau BFI Banded fungal infection
2010 SAMOA Tau CLD Coralline Lethal Disease
2010 SAMOA Tau DIS Discolorations
2010 SAMOA Tau FUG Fungal Infection
2010 SAMOA Tau HYP Pigmentation Response
2010 SAMOA Tau OTH Other
2010 SAMOA Tau PRE Predation
2010 SAMOA Tau SGA Skeletal Growth Anomalies
2010 SAMOA Tau TIN Tube worm infections
20100312
20100320
Ground condition
asNeeded
-169.5237152
-169.4077949
-14.20247804
-14.28884564
NCEI Geoportal FilterCoRIS_MetadataCRCP ProjectPacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (Pacific RAMP): Biennial monitoring for the U.S. Pacific Islands and Atolls1221Incidence and characterization of coral diseases in the U.S. Pacific Islands1841
None
Marine Ecosystem
Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (RAMP)
Rapid Ecoligical Assessments (REA)
Coral Reef
Coral
American Samoa
Ta'u Island
HI1001
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology > Coral cover
EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > BioDiversity
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment
EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef monitoring and assessment > Rapid assessment studies
CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus
Numeric Data Sets > Biology
ISO 19115 Topic Category
biota
002
None
American Samoa
Ta'u Island
None
South Pacific
Ta'u Island
CoRIS Place Thesaurus
OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Manu'a Group > Ta'u Island (14S169W0012)
COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > American Samoa > Ta'u Island (14S169W0012)
CoRIS Region
AmSam
Data are available two years following data collection date.
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
Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
mailing and physical address
NOAA IRC
NMFS/PIFSC/CRED
1845 WASP Blvd., Building 176
Honolulu
HI
96818
USA
808 725-5360
808 725-5429
nmfs.pic.credinfo@noaa.gov
e-mail preferred
Erin Looney, Bernardo Vargas-Angel, Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Sciences Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA
Not applicable
Unclassified
Not applicable
Oracle
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.
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.
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.
GPS unit
1
Instrument parameters
Dive computer and SCUBA depth gauge
0.3
Instrument parameters
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.
Unknown
0.0001
0.0001
Decimal Degrees
World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84)
Geodetic Reference System 80 (GRS80)
6378137
298.2572236
Local surface
1
meters
Explicit Depth Coordinate Included with Horizontal Coordinates
Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
mailing and physical address
NOAA IRC
NMFS/PIFSC/CRED
1845 WASP Blvd., Building 176
Honolulu
HI
96818
USA
808 725-5360
808 725-5429
nmfs.pic.credinfo@noaa.gov
e-mail preferred
Offline 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.
XLS (Microsoft Excel worksheet)
CDROM, or email
ISO 9660
None if receiving the data online
Contact CRED data management team for information
Contact CRED data management team for information
20190605
20101021
Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
mailing and physical address
NOAA IRC
NMFS/PIFSC/CRED
1845 WASP Blvd., Building 176
Honolulu
HI
96818
USA
808 725-5360
808 725-5429
nmfs.pic.credinfo@noaa.gov
e-mail preferred
the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
FGDC-STD-001-1998
20101021014554
None
20100312
20100320
https://www.coris.noaa.gov/metadata/records/html/cred_rea_coral_tau_2010.html
6019