Peter Houk

Workshop Report: A group assessment of coral-reef Ecosimystem condition across Tutuila, American Samoa, and modeling the individual contributions from human stressors

2017

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coral Reef Conservation Program

"The present workshop represented the third collaborative session between Dr. Peter Houk (instructor) and numerous agencies that collect coral-reef and fisheries monitoring datasets, contribute to management decision making, and together have the mandate to report on the condition of coral-reef ecosystems across American Samoa. The initial workshop conducted in 2008 provided an introduction to database designs, data querying, and basic visualization of data queries using exemplary data from monitoring programs outside of American Samoa. Thus, the focus was on developing initial skillsets required for collecting and storing locally-derived data. Following this effort, this same group of agencies and individuals collected a series of standardized coral monitoring data in 2013. The 2013 datasets surveyed 15 sites around Tutuila that had previously been surveyed through partnerships between the American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), Dr. Houk, and several other colleagues since 2003 (Houk et al. 2013). The initial report using these data investigated coral-reef recovery since Cyclone Heta in 2013, and evaluated ASEPA aquatic-life-use-support rankings following programmatic procedures. In 2015, a second workshop was initiated through these same partnerships, with the addition of The Nature Conservancy who funded the collaboration as part of their programmatic grant with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coral Program. The workshop represented a logical progression of previous analytical themes that were introduced in 2008. Topics covered were relational database development, advanced data querying using univariate and multivariate approaches, assessment of statistical power, and evaluation and planning for monitoring program designs. In addition to new topics being introduced in 2015, the workshop used locally-derived data, with outputs directly relevant to the participants. The workshop focused on two datasets: 1) decadal monitoring of coral, benthic substrate, and fish assemblages collected by Dr. Houk in partnership with American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), and other affiliated ASCRAG agencies since 2003, and 2) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED) fish datasets collected from Tutuila in both 2010 and 2012 graciously provided by NOAA-CRED scientists. The workshop began with a review of previous concepts, and then advanced into the above noted topics. The format of the workshop included hands-on presentations and exercises conducted simultaneously by both Dr. Houk and participants. However, each day also included independent and group exercises for participants to showcase their skills and present back to the group. Beyond analytical skillsets, key outcomes also included a deeper understanding of coral-reef and fish assemblage dynamics across Tutuila since 2003 developed from the perspective of two different datasets. Last, the workshop was presented in a generalized format with relevance to both terrestrial and marine scientists and managers, as keen interest during the workshop clearly existed across resource managers."

FY2013; CRCP Project ID: 198; Project Title: Domestic Coral Reef Conservation Grant Programs; Principal Investigator: Jenny Waddell; NA13NOS grant number NA13NOS4820145