Fixed photoquadrats are used to examine trends of individual organisms with regards to growth, recruitment and mortality. Five haphazardly selected photoquadrats at each depth contour were established with 4 pins at each corner to ensure accurate repositioning of the frame. NODC Accession 0001115 consists of these photoquadrat images from CRAMP surveys taken from 1999 to 2002 at 27 sites within the main Hawaiian Islands. Some locations have multiple depths. Surveys were taken once per year. Field work coincided with video transects. This data set consists of an MS Access relational database and subsequently derived spreadsheets based on these tables. The data were generated by PointCount99 on the images found in NODC Accession 0001115. The PointCount output (not included) is the raw data while the Access database files (MDB) are summary files as well as select raw data.
To understand the ecology of Hawaiian coral reefs in relation to the geographic areas and to monitor change at each given site. CRAMP experimental design allows detection of changes that can be attributed to various factors such as:overuse (over-fishing, anchor damage, aquarium trade collection, etc.), sedimentation, nutrient loading,catastrophic natural events (storm wave impact, lavaflows), coastal construction, urbanization, global warming(bleaching), introduced species, algal invasions, and fish and invertebrate diseases. The emphasis of the program is on the major problems facing Hawaiian coral reefs as listed by managers and reef scientists during workshops and meetings held in Hawaii (1997-1998). These are:over-fishing,sedimentation,eutrophication, and algal outbreaks.CRAMP experimental design gives priority to areas where baseline data relevant to these issues were previously collected. Transect dimensions, number of replicates, and methods of evaluation have been selected to detect changes with statistical confidence. Standard techniques include the establishment of permanent transects to quantify fish, coral, algae, and invertebrates at study sites. CRAMP researchers are quantifying changes that have occurred on coral reefs subjected to varying degrees of fishing pressure, sedimentation,eutrophication, and algal growth and are conducting experimental work in order to test hypotheses concerning the role of these environmental factors in the ecology of coral reefs. We are also in the process of resurveying, updating and integrating existing ecological information on an array of coral reefs that have been designated as areas of concern or, "hot spots," by managers and scientists.
These sites were surveyed using SCUBA equipment and a digital camera. The project was launched by the Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (CRAMP) at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology.
ground condition
Dataset credit required
P.O. Box 1346
Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Hawaii Coral Reef Initiative, National Ocean Service, United States Geological Survey, State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources, Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Coastal Program, Limahuli National Botanical Garden, Save Our Seas
see Process Step
The 2000-2002 surveys were 100 percent complete
Fixed photoquadrats allow examination of trends of individual organisms with regards to growth, recruitment and mortality. Five haphazardly selected photoquadrats at each depth contour were established with 4 pins at each corner to ensure accurate repositioning of the frame. The frame dimension samples 0.33 m2of the substrate at a height of 0.5m from the bottom. Surveys are made annually at the time of video transects. PointCount99 PointCount99 is a Win95/98 based PC program derived from PointCount for Coral Reefs which was developed in support of the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Florida Keys Coral Reef Monitoring Project (US EPA CRMP). The software utilizes the random point count method for accurately estimating percent coverage of corals, sponges, and associated substrate from digitally frame-grabbed underwater video images. Unlike its predecessor, PointCount for Coral Reefs, which operated in conjunction with Media Cybernetics Image-Pro Plus graphics software, PointCount99 is a stand-alone Visual Basic program built on Accusofts Image Gear platform. Funding for the development of PointCount99 was provided by the Jeanette and Lafayette Montgomery Foundation. PointCount99 makes image identification an efficient process. It calls up an image file and overlays a unique set of points supplied by an internal random number generator. PointCount99 is also able to use a unique set of random points (cd.dat) created for, and stored along with, a set of images. The user identifies each point and enters the data via a mouse driven graphic user interface. Species and substrate identifications require only a single mouse click. Corrections and multiple selections are easy to make, and hot keys are available to expedite the process. PointCount?99 also makes identifications easier by allowing the user to zoom in and out on images and enhance image quality with buttons for brightness/contrast, sharpness, and color levels. Brown, E, E Cox, B Tissot, K Rodgers, and W Smith (1999). Evaluation of benthic sampling methods considered for the Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (CRAMP) in Hawaii. International Conference on Scientific Aspects of Coral Reef Assessment, Monitoring, and Restoration. April 14-16, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
National Coastal Data Development Center, Building 1100
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