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Eco-spatial data layers of coral reef ecosystem drivers in American Samoa

Published by Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce | Catalog Last Checked: May 10, 2026 at 06:02 AM | Dataset Last Updated: October 01, 2021 at 12:00 AM
Understanding the spatial distribution, intensity, overlap, and cumulative impact of human activities and environmental stressors is essential for effective management and protection of ecosystem services generated by coral reefs. The data described here are that of the GIS layers of the eco-geospatial tool developed by staff of the Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) at the Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) for American Samoa Coral Reef Drivers, hosted by Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PACIOOS) at http://www.pacioos.hawaii.edu/projects/coral-drivers-amsam/. Partners included the American Samoa Division of Marine and Wildlife Resources and the American Samoa Coral Reef Advisory Group. This eco-geospatial tool gathers, organizes, analyzes, models and visualizes spatially-explicit information for American Samoa. Hereby, GIS layers are developed to provide the spatial patterns of anthropogenic and environmental drivers that influence the status of coral reefs in the region and the potential for degradation, including satellite-based oceanography (sea surface temperature [SST], chlorophyll-a, photosynthetically active radiation [PAR], Turbidity [Kd490]), wave power, coastal habitat modification, and sediment export to nearshore. These geospatial products provide the basis to answer questions such as which places and habitat types are the most impacted; which stressors should be the greatest concern in different areas; and where to prioritize different management strategies. In addition, these datasets also inform watershed management and conservation action plans.

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