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  • Coral reef fish biomass and benthic cover data from Timor-Leste in June 2013

    Metadata Updated: February 7, 2018

    Coral reef fish and benthos were surveyed at 150 shallow-water coral reef sites across the north coast of Timor-Leste and around Atauro Island in June 2013 during a 21-day survey mission. This project was conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center's Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) using consistent methods, survey design, and personnel.

    Fish biomass and benthic cover were estimated at all survey sites using the stationary point count (SPC) method. The SPC method catalogs the diversity (species richness), abundance (numeric density) and biomass (fish mass per unit area) of diurnally active reef fish assemblages in shallow-water (less than 30 m) hard-bottom habitats. Visual estimates of benthic cover and topographic complexity are also recorded, with benthic organisms grouped into broad functional categories (e.g., 'Hard Coral', 'Macroalgae'). A stratified random sampling (StRS) design was employed, similar to surveys conducted by NOAA CREP of the coral reef ecosystems throughout the U.S.-Pacific regions.

    The goal of the survey work was to generate baseline data on the nearshore coral reef fish assemblages and associated benthic communities around Timor-Leste's north coast and Atauro Island. Surveys were concentrated around these areas due to (1) limited time and resources, but also (2) low water visibility and safety concerns for potential dive survey operations along the south shore. In addition to the visual observations of reef fish and the associated benthos, photographs of the seafloor were taken using a photoquadrat method and were later analyzed for benthic cover. These two additional datasets are documented separately.

    The reef fish and benthic estimate data collected during the 2013 mission in Timor-Leste can be accessed online via the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Ocean Archive.

    Access & Use Information

    License: U.S. Government Work

    Downloads & Resources

    Dates

    Metadata Date November 24, 2017
    Metadata Created Date February 7, 2018
    Metadata Updated Date February 7, 2018
    Reference Date(s) 2015 (publication)
    Frequency Of Update notPlanned

    Metadata Source

    Harvested from NOAA CSW Harvest Source

    Graphic Preview

    Diver counting coral reef fishes using the SPC method.

    Additional Metadata

    Resource Type Dataset
    Metadata Date November 24, 2017
    Metadata Created Date February 7, 2018
    Metadata Updated Date February 7, 2018
    Reference Date(s) 2015 (publication)
    Responsible Party Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (Point of Contact, Custodian)
    Contact Email
    Access Constraints Access Constraints: None | Use Constraints: Please cite NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) and acknowledge the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Timor-Leste when using the data. Suggested citation: Coral Reef Ecosystem Program; Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (2017). Coral reef fish biomass and benthic cover data from Timor-Leste in June 2013. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://inport.nmfs.noaa.gov/inport/item/32998. | Distribution Liability: 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.
    Bbox East Long 127.5
    Bbox North Lat -8.1
    Bbox South Lat -9.4
    Bbox West Long 124
    Coupled Resource
    Frequency Of Update notPlanned
    Graphic Preview Description Diver counting coral reef fishes using the SPC method.
    Graphic Preview File http://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/cred/img/diver_counting_fish_using_spc_sm.jpg
    Graphic Preview Type JPG
    Guid gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:32998
    Harvest Object Id 44650565-4f1b-43de-8428-03ea90094a7d
    Harvest Source Id 2aed8e29-fc5b-4cde-aa66-fb1118fd705e
    Harvest Source Title NOAA CSW Harvest Source
    Licence
    Metadata Language eng
    Metadata Type geospatial
    Progress completed
    Spatial Data Service Type
    Spatial Reference System
    Spatial Harvester True
    Temporal Extent Begin 2013-06-04
    Temporal Extent End 2013-06-27

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