1998 Inventory of Endangered Species and Wildlife Resources at the US Army Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands (NODC Accession 0000631)

Frequently anticipated questions:

• What does this data set describe?
  1. How might this data set be cited?
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
• Who produced the data set?
  1. Who are the originators of the data set?
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
• Why was the data set created?
• How was the data set created?
  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
  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?
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the data, including topology?
• How can someone get a copy of the data set?
  1. Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
  2. Who distributes the data?
  3. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
  4. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
  5. How can I download or order the data?
• Who wrote the metadata?

What does this data set describe?

1. How might this data set be cited?
   Kevin Foster, U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Islands Ecoregion (primary report author), Michael Molina, U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Islands Ecoregion (co-author and surveyor), Christine Willis, U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Islands Ecoregion (co-author and surveyor), Sheldon Plentovich, U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Islands Ecoregion (co-author), Colleen Henson, U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Islands Ecoregion (co-author), David Woodside, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (surveyor), and John Naughton, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration/National Marine Fisheries Service (surveyor), 200103, 1998 Inventory of Endangered Species and Wildlife Resources at the US Army Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands (NODC Accession 0000631): Department of Interior, USA, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.

   Online Links:

   • https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/631

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: 167.45000

   East_Bounding_Coordinate: 167.78333

   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 09.40000

   South_Bounding_Coordinate: 08.73333

3. What does it look like?
4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

   Beginning_Date: 30-Oct-1998

   Beginning_Time: 0800

   Ending_Date: 14-Dec-1998

   Ending_Time: 1700

   Currentness_Reference: ground condition

5. What is the general form of this data set?

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?
      
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)
   • Kevin Foster, U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Islands Ecoregion (primary report author)
   • Michael Molina, U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Islands Ecoregion (co-author and surveyor)
   • Christine Willis, U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Islands Ecoregion (co-author and surveyor)
   • Sheldon Plentovich, U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Islands Ecoregion (co-author)
   • Colleen Henson, U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Islands Ecoregion (co-author)
   • David Woodside, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (surveyor)
   • John Naughton, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration/National Marine Fisheries Service (surveyor)
2. Who also contributed to the data set?

   Mr. Randy Galien, U.S. Department of the Army Space and Missile Defense Command, U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands

3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
   Kevin Foster

   U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Islands Ecoregion

   Biologist

   300 Ala Moana Blvd

   Honolulu, Hawaii
   

   USA

   (808)541-3441 (voice)

   Kevin_Foster@mail.fws.gov

Why was the data set created?

The primary objective of the inventory was to document the presence and general distribution of terrestrial and marine Species of Concern (SOCs) and to record observations on the overall condition of their habitats. Terrestrial SOCs include certain migratory seabirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl. Important terrestrial habitats include Pisonia, Pemphis, and mixed broadleaf forests; salt ponds; and seabird and shorebird breeding and loafing sites. Marine SOCs include certain marine mammals, sea turtles, corals, sponges, and mollusks. Important marine habitats include lagoon, interislet, and seaward reef flats and slopes; reef passes; lagoon floors; seagrass beds; reef quarry pits; and intertidal zones.

How was the data set created?

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

   Clapp, 1990 (source 1 of 7)

   Clapp, R. B., 1990, Notes on the birds of the Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands: Atoll Research Bulletin No. 342, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.

   Type_of_Source_Media: paper

   Source_Contribution: Bird Notes

   Colin, 1995 (source 2 of 7)

   Colin, C. L., 1995, Tropical Pacific Invertebrates - A Field Guide to the Marine Invertebrates Occurring on Tropical Pacific Coral Reefs, Seagrass Beds, and Mangroves: Coral Reef Press, Beverly Hills, California.

   Type_of_Source_Media: paper

   Source_Contribution: Field Guide to Marine Invertebrates

   Hooper and Wiedenmayer, 1994 (source 3 of 7)

   J. N. A. Hooper, and Wiedenmayer., F., 1994, Zoological Catalogue of Australia Volume 12 Porifera: CSIRO, Melbourne, Australia.

   Type_of_Source_Media: paper

   Source_Contribution: Identification of the Coral Reef Fishes

   Lobban and Schefter, 1997 (source 4 of 7)

   Lobban, C. S., and Schefter, M., 1997, Tropical Pacific Island Environments: Guam, University of Guam Press.

   Type_of_Source_Media: paper

   Source_Contribution: Tropical Pacific Island Environments

   Myers, 1989 (source 5 of 7)

   Myers, R. F., 1989, Micronesian Reef Fishes - A Practical Guide to the Identification of the Coral Reef Fishes of the Tropical Central and Western Pacific: Coral Graphics, Agana, Guam.

   Type_of_Source_Media: paper

   Source_Contribution: identification of coral reef fishes

   Schipper, 1985 (source 6 of 7)

   Schipper, W. L., 1987, Observations of Birds on Kwajalein Atoll 1978-1983: Elepaio 46:27-32.

   Type_of_Source_Media: paper

   Source_Contribution: bird observations

   Veron, 1993 (source 7 of 7)

   Veron, J.E.N., 1993, Corals of Australia and the Indo-Pacific: Honolulu, Hawaii, University of Hawaii Press.

   Type_of_Source_Media: paper

   Source_Contribution: coral identification

2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

   Date: Unknown (process 1 of 1)

   The Compact of Free Association Between the United States of America and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 48 U.S.C.1681 (Compact), which became effective on October 21, 1986, established the framework for administering governmental, economic, security, and defense relations between the United States Government and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). For Title One, Article VI, of the Compact obligated the U.S. Government to develop environmental standards and procedures and to apply them to its activities in the RMI. In 1989, the U.S. Army completed a Final Environmental Impact Statement for Proposed Actions at U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll in the RMI. This document and the subsequent Record of Decision emphasized the need for the U.S. Government to develop the environmental standards and procedures required by the Compact. On December 4, 1995, the first edition of the Environmental Standards and Procedures for United States Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) Activities in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (UES) was approved for implementation. The UES established a level of environmental protection that is substantively equivalent to that provided for by the U.S.environmental statutes that were in place in the Marshall Islandsthe day before the effective date of the Compact. With regard to biological resources, these statutes include the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA), Migratory Bird Conservation Act (MBCA), Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and others as agreed upon by the U.S. Government and the RMI. The UES also incorporate parts of the RMI wildlife protection statutes for certain native species potentially susceptible to USAKA actions. Applicable RMI laws include the RMI Endangered Species Act of 1975, Marine Resources (Trochus) Act of 1983, Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1990, and Marine Resources Act. Among other things, the UES protects species of concern (SOC) and significant habitats at USAKA. Lists of these species and habitats are included in the UES in Appendices 3-4 A-G, and the Appendix of this inventory report. The UES require that inventories of USAKA species and habitats of special concern be conducted on a biennial basis to ascertain the status of these resources at each of the USAKA islets leased from the RMI at the time of the investigation. All marine surveys were conducted between the hours of 0700 and 1700, using a Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) technique. The reef surrounding each islet was divided into sections for data collection and reporting purposes, and each section was designated a station number. Station REAs were made by traversing or swimming over the reef in a meandering fashion with a minimum amount of backtracking. Marine SOCs and habitats were surveyed on interislet, lagoon-facing, and ocean-facing reef flats by either walking or snorkeling, depending on the water depth at the time. Deeper locations, such as lagoon-facing reef slopes, lagoon pinnacles, and ocean-facing reef slopes weresurveyed by diving with scuba from a boat. The presence of SOCs and various other important species (e.g. non SOCcorals, other invertebrates, algae, and reef fishes) were recorded.Emphasis was given to identifying conspicuous, diurnally active species. As a result, small, cryptic, and nocturnally active species are under-represented in the data. Brief descriptions of benthic habitat are provided for each survey station. Observations of the presence of SOCs within each station are indicated on the islet maps with symbols identified in each map legend. For corals, both the number of coral SOCs and the total number of coral species identified during the inventory are given for each station. Observations on the presence of marine SOCs are providedin the following tables: Table 8 - Corals, Table 9 - Sponges, and Table 10 -Mollusks. During the 1998 inventory, all reef stations could not be surveyed due to large surf, strong winds, and high tides on the exposed, windward sides of several islets. These unsurveyed stations include Roi-Namur (RN-1,7,8), Meck (MK-2,5), Gagan (GA-1), Gellinam (GL-2), andEnnugarret (ET-3,4). No 1998 observations could be made at any of these marine stations due to rough sea conditions. In addition, scheduling conflicts prevented the NMFS biologist from participating fully in the 1998 inventory. This resulted in no 1998 reef fish observations at several stations in addition to those listed above. These additional stations include Kwajalein (KI-2,3,6,7,8,9),Roi-Namur (RN- 2,3,4,5,6), Omelek (OM-1,2,3,4), Ennylabegan (EL-1,2,3,4),Legan (1,2,3,4,5), Illeginni (IL-1,2,3), Gagan (GA-2,3,4),Eniwetak (2,3,4), and Ennugarret (1,2,5,6).In cases where stations were not surveyed at all in 1998, it is so noted at the beginning of the appropriate station sections in this report. The information that appears in this report for the unsurveyed stations is from the 1996 inventory report, since that information is the most current, and this is also noted. In cases, where reef fishes were not surveyed in 1998, it is so noted within the "Other Species" portion of the appropriate station sections. In those cases, the most current observations on reef fishes from the 1996 inventory report are included in this report. Person who carried out this activity:
   

   Kevin Foster

   U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Islands Ecoregion

   Biologist

   300 Ala Moana Blvd

   Honolulu, Hawaii
   

   USA

   (808)541-3441 (voice)

   Kevin_Foster@mail.fws.gov

   Data sources used in this process:

   • Clapp, 1990
   • Colin, 1995
   • Hooper and Wiedenmayer, 1994
   • Lobban and Schefter, 1997
   • Myers, 1991
   • Schipper, 1985
   • Veron, 1993

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?
   
2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
   
3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
   
4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
   the survey was 100% completed
5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
   see Lineage - Process Step

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: Dataset credit required

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
   
   NOAA/NESDIS/National Oceanographic Data Center

   Attn: Data Access Group, User Services Team

   SSMC-3 Fourth Floor

   Silver Spring, MD
   

   USA

   301-713-3277 (voice)

   301-713-3302 (FAX)

   services@nodc.noaa.gov

   Hours_of_Service: 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday

2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? Downloadable Data
3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

   NOAA makes no warranty regarding these data, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NODC cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data, nor as a result of the failure of these data to function on a particular system.

4. How can I download or order the data?
   • Availability in digital form:

     Data format:	ASCII and WordPerfect 8
     Network links:	https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/631

   • Cost to order the data:
     Prices vary depending on data set, output medium and ordering mechanism. A standard handling charge, with additional costs for special handling, may be added to the basic cost of the data.

   • Special instructions:

     Prepayment by check, money order or bank card is required. Orders may be placed via fax, email, regular mail, telephone or via the NNDC Online Store.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 29-Mar-2020
Last Reviewed: 15-Oct-2008
To be reviewed: 01-Aug-2006

Metadata author:

Mr. Patrick C. Caldwell

NOAA/NESDIS/NODC/NCDDC

Hawaii/US Pacific Liaison

1000 Pope Road, MSB 316

Honolulu, Hawaii

USA

(808)-956-4105 (voice)

(808) 956-2352 (FAX)

caldwell@hawaii.edu

Hours_of_Service: 8 AM to 5 PM weekdays

Contact_Instructions: check services@nodc.noaa.gov if not available

Metadata standard:

FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)