CRED REA Reef Fish Assessment Survey at Alamagan Island, Marianas Archipelago in 2009

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Title:
CRED REA Reef Fish Assessment Survey at Alamagan Island, Marianas Archipelago in 2009
Abstract:
To support a long-term NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) for sustainable management and conservation of coral reef ecosystems, from 15 April - 7 May 2009, reef fish assessment surveys were conducted, as a part of Rapid Ecological Assessments (REA), during the Pacific Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (RAMP) Cruise HI0903 in the Marianas Archipelago at biennial intervals by the Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED) at the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC). During the cruise, 6 REA sites were surveyed at Alamagan Island in the Marianas Archipelago. At the specific REA sites, fish biologists along with coral biologists, 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 fish, corals, macro-invertebrates, and algae in shallow-water (< 35 m) habitats. Reef fish assessment surveys were focused on cataloging the diversity (species richness), abundance (numeric density [# fish 100 m-2] and biomass density [kg 100 m-2]) of diurnally active reef fish assemblages. Three complementary noninvasive underwater survey methods were used, including belt-transect, stationary point count, and roving-diver surveys. For all methods, fish were identified at the species level, when possible, and assigned to a size bin ranging from 1 to 200 cm based on a visual estimate of total fish length. Belt-transect (BLT) surveys were used to quantify the entire diurnal fish community (all size classes). In belt-transect surveys, two fish biologists swam side-by-side along three consecutively-placed, 25m transect lines. The BLT team swam each transect two times. During the initial swim-out, each fish diver recorded all fish larger than 20 cm observed within a 4-m wide belt perpendicular to their respective side of the transect (200 m2 area per line, 100 m2 per diver). On the return swim, each fish diver recorded all fish less than 20 cm observed within a 2-m wide belt (100 m2 area per line, 50 m2 per diver). The survey of large fish took approximately 5 min to complete while the survey of smaller fish took about 10 min to complete. All reef-associated fish, including those in the water column (including planktivores), were counted. Any coastal pelagic species (e.g., clupeids [sardines], belonids [beakfish], antherinids [silversides]) seen near the surface were not recorded. The stationary point count (SPC) method were used to quantify larger, more mobile reef fish species that can be missed on belt-transect surveys. In stationary point count survey, a fish biologist swam approximately 15 m away from a transect line concurrently being surveyed by the other two BLT fish biologists. The SPC biologist then recorded all fish greater than 25 cm in length that passed within a visually estimated 20-m diameter cylinder centered on the diver's fixed position (10-m radius, total area = 314 m2). The survey time for each stationary point count survey was 5 min and a total of four stationary point count surveys were conducted at each REA site. Roving-diver surveys were followed belt-transect and stationary point count surveys. As diver bottom time permitted, the fish assessment team conducted random swim surveys throughout the REA site area, recording, to the species level or the lowest recognizable taxon, the presence of reef fish not encountered during previous methods.
Supplemental_Information:
Maximum depth was 25 meters. Fish species observed: Year Region Island Species TaxonName 2009 MARIAN Alamagan ACBL Acanthurus blochii 2009 MARIAN Alamagan ACDU Acanthurus dussumieri 2009 MARIAN Alamagan ACGU Acanthurus guttatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan ACLE Acanthurus leucopareius 2009 MARIAN Alamagan ACLI Acanthurus lineatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan ACNC Acanthurus nigricans 2009 MARIAN Alamagan ACNF Acanthurus nigrofuscus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan ACOL Acanthurus olivaceus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan ACPY Acanthurus pyroferus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan ACTH Acanthurus thompsoni 2009 MARIAN Alamagan ANCA Anampses caeruleopunctatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan APFU Aphareus furca 2009 MARIAN Alamagan APAN Apogon angustatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan APTR Apolemichthys trimaculatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan APVI Aprion virescens 2009 MARIAN Alamagan BAUN Balistapus undulatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan BACO Balistoides conspicillum 2009 MARIAN Alamagan BOAX Bodianus axillaris 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CATE Caesio teres 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CACA Calotomus carolinus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CADU Cantherhines dumerilii 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CAAM Canthigaster amboinensis 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CASO Canthigaster solandri 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CAOR Carangoides orthogrammus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CAIG Caranx ignobilis 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CALU Caranx lugubris 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CAME Caranx melampygus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CASE Caranx sexfasciatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CAAB Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CEFL Centropyge flavissima 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CEHE Centropyge heraldi 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CESH Centropyge shepardi 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CEAR Cephalopholis argus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CESX Cephalopholis sexmaculata 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CESO Cephalopholis sonnerati 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CESP Cephalopholis spiloparaea 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CEUR Cephalopholis urodeta 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CHAU Chaetodon auriga 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CHCI Chaetodon citrinellus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CHEP Chaetodon ephippium 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CHLU Chaetodon lunula 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CHMR Chaetodon mertensii 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CHOR Chaetodon ornatissimus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CHPU Chaetodon punctatofasciatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CHQU Chaetodon quadrimaculatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CHRE Chaetodon reticulatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CHUL Chaetodon ulietensis 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CHUN Chaetodon unimaculatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CHUD Cheilinus undulatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CHMC Chlorurus microrhinos 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CHAC Chromis acares 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CHAG Chromis agilis 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CHMA Chromis margaritifer 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CHVA Chromis vanderbilti 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CHXA Chromis xanthura 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CHBR Chrysiptera brownriggii 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CIKA Cirrhilabrus katherinae 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CIFL Cirrhitichthys falco 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CIVR Cirripectes variolosus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan COAY Coris aygula 2009 MARIAN Alamagan COGA Coris gaimard 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CTCY Ctenochaetus cyanocheilus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CTHA Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CTSR Ctenochaetus striatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan DARE Dascyllus reticulatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan EPFA Epinephelus fasciatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan EPHE Epinephelus hexagonatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan EPMA Epinephelus maculatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan FOFL Forcipiger flavissimus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan GNAU Gnathodentex aureolineatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan GOVA Gomphosus varius 2009 MARIAN Alamagan GRAL Gracila albomarginata 2009 MARIAN Alamagan GYFL Gymnothorax flavimarginatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan GYUN Gymnothorax undulatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan HAHO Halichoeres hortulanus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan HAOR Halichoeres ornatissimus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan HEFA Hemigymnus fasciatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan HECH Heniochus chrysostomus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan HECR Heteropriacanthus cruentatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan CHUB Kyphosidae sp 2009 MARIAN Alamagan KYCI Kyphosus cinerascens 2009 MARIAN Alamagan KYPA Kyphosus pacificus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan WRAS Labridae sp 2009 MARIAN Alamagan LABI Labroides bicolor 2009 MARIAN Alamagan LADI Labroides dimidiatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan LAXA Labropsis xanthonota 2009 MARIAN Alamagan LUBO Lutjanus bohar 2009 MARIAN Alamagan LUGI Lutjanus gibbus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan LUKA Lutjanus kasmira 2009 MARIAN Alamagan LUMO Lutjanus monostigma 2009 MARIAN Alamagan MAMA Macolor macularis 2009 MARIAN Alamagan MANI Macolor niger 2009 MARIAN Alamagan MAME Macropharyngodon meleagris 2009 MARIAN Alamagan MENI Melichthys niger 2009 MARIAN Alamagan MEVI Melichthys vidua 2009 MARIAN Alamagan MOGR Monotaxis grandoculis 2009 MARIAN Alamagan MORA Muraenidae sp 2009 MARIAN Alamagan MYBE Myripristis berndti 2009 MARIAN Alamagan NABR Naso brevirostris 2009 MARIAN Alamagan NACA Naso caesius 2009 MARIAN Alamagan NAHE Naso hexacanthus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan NALI Naso lituratus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan NAVL Naso vlamingii 2009 MARIAN Alamagan NEMA Nemateleotris magnifica 2009 MARIAN Alamagan NEAR Neocirrhites armatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan NEOP Neoniphon opercularis 2009 MARIAN Alamagan NESA Neoniphon sammara 2009 MARIAN Alamagan ODNI Odonus niger 2009 MARIAN Alamagan OXDI Oxycheilinus digramma 2009 MARIAN Alamagan OXUN Oxycheilinus unifasciatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PAHP Paracanthurus hepatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PAAR Paracirrhites arcatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PAFO Paracirrhites forsteri 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PAHE Paracirrhites hemistictus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PACL Parapercis clathrata 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PAMI Parapercis millepunctata 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PACY Parupeneus cyclostomus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PAIN Parupeneus insularis 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PAMU Parupeneus multifasciatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PEOU Pempheris oualensis 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PLGI Plectorhinchus gibbosus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PLDI Plectroglyphidodon dickii 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PLIM Plectroglyphidodon imparipennis 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PLJO Plectroglyphidodon johnstonianus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PLLA Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PLLE Plectroglyphidodon leucozonus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan POIM Pomacanthus imperator 2009 MARIAN Alamagan POVA Pomacentrus vaiuli 2009 MARIAN Alamagan POGU Pomachromis guamensis 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PSPA Pseudanthias pascalus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PSEV Pseudocheilinus evanidus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PSHE Pseudocheilinus hexataenia 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PSOC Pseudocheilinus octotaenia 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PSTE Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PSMO Pseudodax moluccanus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PSAT Pseudojuloides atavai 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PTEV Ptereleotris evides 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PTHE Ptereleotris heteroptera 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PTZE Ptereleotris zebra 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PTTI Pterocaesio tile 2009 MARIAN Alamagan PYDI Pygoplites diacanthus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan RHRE Rhinecanthus rectangulus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan SACA Sargocentron caudimaculatum 2009 MARIAN Alamagan SASP Sargocentron spiniferum 2009 MARIAN Alamagan SATI Sargocentron tiere 2009 MARIAN Alamagan SCFO Scarus forsteni 2009 MARIAN Alamagan SCRU Scarus rubroviolaceus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan SCLY Scomberoides lysan 2009 MARIAN Alamagan SPQE Sphyraena qenie 2009 MARIAN Alamagan STFA Stegastes fasciolatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan SUBU Sufflamen bursa 2009 MARIAN Alamagan SUCH Sufflamen chrysopterum 2009 MARIAN Alamagan TAME Taeniura meyeni 2009 MARIAN Alamagan THAM Thalassoma amblycephalum 2009 MARIAN Alamagan THLU Thalassoma lutescens 2009 MARIAN Alamagan THQU Thalassoma quinquevittatum 2009 MARIAN Alamagan THTR Thalassoma trilobatum 2009 MARIAN Alamagan THAL Thunnus albacares 2009 MARIAN Alamagan TROB Triaenodon obesus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan VAST Valenciennea strigata 2009 MARIAN Alamagan VALO Variola louti 2009 MARIAN Alamagan XACA Xanthichthys caeruleolineatus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan ZACO Zanclus cornutus 2009 MARIAN Alamagan ZEFL Zebrasoma flavescens
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 20090508, CRED REA Reef Fish Assessment Survey at Alamagan Island, Marianas Archipelago in 2009.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: 145.803113
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: 145.863562
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 17.628686
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 17.571253
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Beginning_Date: 04-May-2009
    Ending_Date: 04-May-2009Currentness_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 Decimal Degrees. 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?
    "Robert Schroeder, Marc Nadon, Paula Ayotte, Valerie Brown, Marie Ferguson", Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Sciences Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
    Attn: Ivor Williams
    NOAA IRC
    Honolulu, HI
    USA

    808 725-5360 (voice)
    808 725-5429 (FAX)
    nmfs.pic.credinfo@noaa.gov
    Contact_Instructions: e-mail preferred

Why was the data set created?

Part of a long-term monitoring program at biennial intervals which documents the state of the reefs.

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)
    REA surveys are investigations that provide a high degree of taxonomic resolution for coral, algae, other macroinvertebrate, and reef fish communities. The surveys were conducted using a combination of dive teams which generally included a two to three person fish team, 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, three teams of divers enter the water over spaced time intervals. The fish team firstly enters the water and deploys a 25-m transect line. Two of the fish divers begin to survey along that transect while the remaining fish diver begins stationary point count assessments in the general vicinity. After approximately 20 min, the coral team enters the water and begins to work along the first transect line. By this time the fish team has deployed and begun surveys along a second 25-m transect. About 10 min later, the algal/invertebrate team enters the water and begins surveying the first transect. In total, the fish team surveys three transects at each site (transects 1, 2, and 3), and the coral and algal/invertebrate teams survey transects 1 and 2. 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.
  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 three divers who are experts in fish taxonomy. The team of three REA fish divers rotated roles with two divers performing belt-transect surveys and one diver performing stationary point counts at each survey site. Observations were periodically checked during the expedition for consistency between divers, and little discrepancy was ever noted between divers. It should be noted, however, that this data set is quite large, and probably includes typographical or other errors that might be discovered at a future date.
  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 survey sites were selected to be representative of the coral reef 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.
  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 at this location, and were conducted by the same scientists. Periodic examination of the data through the duration of the trip showed no signs of diver bias or other discrepancies.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
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
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
    Attn: CRED Data Management Team
    NOAA IRC
    Honolulu, HI
    USA

    808 725-5360 (voice)
    808 725-5429 (FAX)
    nmfs.pic.credinfo@noaa.gov
    Contact_Instructions: e-mail preferred
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? Offline 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?
    Contact CRED data management team for information
  6. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?
    Contact CRED data management team for information

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 26-May-2019
Last Reviewed: 14-Sep-2009
Metadata author:
Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NOAA IRC
Honolulu, HI
USA

808 725-5360 (voice)
808 725-5429 (FAX)
nmfs.pic.credinfo@noaa.gov
Contact_Instructions: e-mail preferred
Metadata standard:
the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
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