Point-count surveys at 50-cm intervals were conducted along 2 consecutively placed, 25m line transect lines, as part of Rapid Ecological Assessments conducted at 8 sites around Swains Island in American Samoa from March 16 to March 18, 2008 aboard the NOAA ship Hi'ialakai during the Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (RAMP) Cruise HI0802. Raw survey data consisted of counts of benthic elements, including but not limited to live coral, dead coral, carbonate pavement, sand, coral rubble, fleshy macroalgae, crustose coralline algae, turfalgae, as well as other sessile invertebrates along the two transects. All live benthic elements were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible. These data provide the basis for computing quantitative estimates of percent live coral cover, as well as percent cover of the different benthic constituents.
Part of a long-term monitoring program at biennial intervals in which corals, algae, fish, and other macroinvertebrates are co-sampled along the same set of transect lines.
Maximum depth was 14 meters. Benthic cover parameters observed: BenthicCategory BenthicName CALG Crustose coralline algae CORL Favia stelligera CORL Montipora sp CORL Pocillopora sp CORL Pocillopora verrucosa CORL Pocillopora meandrina CORL Pavona duerdeni CORL Pavona maldivensis CORL Pocillopora eydouxi CORL Heliopora coerulea CORL Porites sp CORL Porites rus CORL Porites monticulosa INVT Tunicate MALG Dictyosphaeria sp MALG Lobophora sp MALG Macroalgae MALG Microdictyon MALG Halymenia TALG Turfalgae RUBB Rubble CYAN Cyanobacteria SAND Sand
Ground condition
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
NOAA IRC
NMFS/PIFSC/CRED
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Dr. Bernardo Vargas-Angel, Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Island Fisheries Sciences Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA
The benthic cover parameter observations were made by a single diver who is coral reef ecologist. The benthic cover assessment surveys are conducted one time per site per survey year; it is not replicated.
The same methods of data collection were used at each of the sites surveyed at this location, and were conducted by the same scientist (Bernardo Vargas-Angel).
The survey sites were selected to be representative of the dominant habitats at this reef system. The majority of surveys were conducted in the lagoon due to inclement sea conditions in other habitats.
GPS unit
Instrument parameters
Dive computer and SCUBA depth gauge
As a diver swam along the transect line, he inspected the benthic elements falling directly underneath each 50-cm mark on the transect line. Each such element was tallied under the following scheme: live coral, dead coral, carbonate pavement, coral rubble, sand, rock, macroalgae, turfalgae invertebrate, and other. Live benthic elements including coral, algae, and invertebrates were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible.
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.
Contact CRED data management team for information
