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National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Stratified Random Surveys (StRS) of Coral Demography (Adult and Juvenile Corals) across the Mariana Archipelago since 2014

Published by Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce | Catalog Last Checked: August 02, 2026 at 11:21 PM | Dataset Last Updated: June 01, 2023 at 12:00 AM
NCRMP CORAL DEMOGRAPHIC DATA HAS NOW BEEN MERGED INTO A PACIFIC-WIDE METADATA RECORD -- PLEASE REFER TO https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/71550 FOR MOST UPDATED DATA. The data described here result from benthic coral demographic surveys for two life stages (juveniles, adults) across the Mariana archipelago since 2014. Juvenile colony surveys include morphology and size. Adult colony surveys record morphology, colony size, partial mortality in two categories - old dead and recent dead, cause of recent dead partial mortality, and non-lesion forming condition including bleaching and disease). In 2023 some segment observations were repeated for internal quality control; to filter for non-repeated data, be certain filter for TRANSECTNUM = 1. A two-stage stratified random sampling (StRS) design was employed to survey the coral reef ecosystems throughout the U.S. Pacific regions. The survey domain encompassed the majority of the mapped area of reef and hard bottom habitats in the 0-30 m depth range. The stratification scheme included island, reef zone, and depth in all regions, as well as habitat structure type in the Mariana Archipelago. Sampling effort was allocated based on strata area and sites were randomly located within strata. Sites were surveyed using belt transects to collect juvenile and adult coral colony metrics. These data provide information on juvenile and adult coral abundance (density, proportion occurrence, and total colony abundance), size distribution, partial mortality, prevalence and abundance of recent mortality and cause, prevalence of disease and bleaching, and diversity. The StRS design effectively reduces estimate variance through stratification using environmental covariates and by sampling more sites rather than sampling more transects at a site. Therefore, site-level estimates and site to site comparisons should be used with caution. The data from the coral demographic surveys can be accessed online via the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Ocean Archive.

Resources

8 resources available

  • V0_CORAL_OBS_F MARIANA 2014.csv

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  • MARIAN2017_coralgenera.csv

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  • PIFSC_NTM-PIFSC-92_2018_SOP_Benthic.pdf

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  • https://ecowatch.ncddc.noaa.gov/erddap/tabledap/CRCP_Coral_Demographic_Survey_Juvenile_CNMI_Guam.html

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  • https://ecowatch.ncddc.noaa.gov/erddap/tabledap/CRCP_Coral_Demographic_Survey_Adult_CNMI_Guam.html

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  • MARIAN2022_coralspecies.csv

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  • GCMD Keyword Forum Page

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  • Full Metadata Record

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DOC/NOAA/NMFS/PIFSC/ESD > Ecosystem Sciences Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > BENTHIC EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > REEF > CORAL REEF OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN > MICRONESIA > GUAM OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN > MICRONESIA > NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS 743 National Coral Reef Monitoring Program Numeric Data Sets > Biology

Complete Metadata
@type dcat:Dataset
accessLevel non-public
contactPoint 
{
  "fn": "Not provided - Contact data.gov",
  "hasEmail": "mailto:datagovsupport@gsa.gov"
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describedByType application/octet-steam
description NCRMP CORAL DEMOGRAPHIC DATA HAS NOW BEEN MERGED INTO A PACIFIC-WIDE METADATA RECORD -- PLEASE REFER TO https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/71550 FOR MOST UPDATED DATA. The data described here result from benthic coral demographic surveys for two life stages (juveniles, adults) across the Mariana archipelago since 2014. Juvenile colony surveys include morphology and size. Adult colony surveys record morphology, colony size, partial mortality in two categories - old dead and recent dead, cause of recent dead partial mortality, and non-lesion forming condition including bleaching and disease). In 2023 some segment observations were repeated for internal quality control; to filter for non-repeated data, be certain filter for TRANSECTNUM = 1. A two-stage stratified random sampling (StRS) design was employed to survey the coral reef ecosystems throughout the U.S. Pacific regions. The survey domain encompassed the majority of the mapped area of reef and hard bottom habitats in the 0-30 m depth range. The stratification scheme included island, reef zone, and depth in all regions, as well as habitat structure type in the Mariana Archipelago. Sampling effort was allocated based on strata area and sites were randomly located within strata. Sites were surveyed using belt transects to collect juvenile and adult coral colony metrics. These data provide information on juvenile and adult coral abundance (density, proportion occurrence, and total colony abundance), size distribution, partial mortality, prevalence and abundance of recent mortality and cause, prevalence of disease and bleaching, and diversity. The StRS design effectively reduces estimate variance through stratification using environmental covariates and by sampling more sites rather than sampling more transects at a site. Therefore, site-level estimates and site to site comparisons should be used with caution. The data from the coral demographic surveys can be accessed online via the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Ocean Archive.
distribution 
[
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "V0_CORAL_OBS_F MARIANA 2014.csv",
    "accessURL": "https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0159166",
    "mediaType": "text/html",
    "description": "Juvenile coral colony observations from coral demographic surveys of stratified random sites by the NOAA Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) conducted across the Mariana archipelago in 2014 (HA1401).",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-stream"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "MARIAN2017_coralgenera.csv",
    "accessURL": "https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0166383",
    "mediaType": "text/html",
    "description": "List of coral genera surveyed in the Mariana archipelago",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-stream"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "PIFSC_NTM-PIFSC-92_2018_SOP_Benthic.pdf",
    "accessURL": "https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0157633",
    "mediaType": "text/html",
    "description": "Winston M, Couch C, Ferguson M, Huntington B, Swanson D, Vargas-Ángel B. 2019. Ecosystem Sciences Division Standard Operating Procedures: Data Collection for Rapid Ecological Assessment Benthic Surveys, 2018 Update. NOAA Tech. Memo. NOAA-TM-NMFS-PIFSC-92, 66 p. doi:10.25923/w1k2-0y84

https://doi.org/10.25923/w1k2-0y84",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-stream"
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    "title": "https://ecowatch.ncddc.noaa.gov/erddap/tabledap/CRCP_Coral_Demographic_Survey_Juvenile_CNMI_Guam.html",
    "accessURL": "https://ecowatch.ncddc.noaa.gov/erddap/tabledap/CRCP_Coral_Demographic_Survey_Juvenile_CNMI_Guam.html",
    "mediaType": "text/html",
    "description": "NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) ERDDAP web service for coral demographic data of juvenile corals collected by the PIFSC Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) during ESD-led NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Program missions to the Mariana Archipelago since 2014.

ERDDAP acts as a middleman between you and various remote data servers. ERDDAP offers an easy-to-use, consistent way to request data: via the OPeNDAP standard. Many datasets can also be accessed via ERDDAP's Web Map Service (WMS). ERDDAP returns data in the common file format of your choice. ERDDAP offers all data as .html table, ESRI .asc and .csv, Google Earth .kml, OPeNDAP binary, .mat, .nc, ODV .txt, .csv, .tsv, .json, and .xhtml. ERDDAP can also return a .png or .pdf image with a customized graph or map. ERDDAP also has web pages (for humans with browsers) and RESTful web services (for computer programs).",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-stream"
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    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
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    "accessURL": "https://ecowatch.ncddc.noaa.gov/erddap/tabledap/CRCP_Coral_Demographic_Survey_Adult_CNMI_Guam.html",
    "mediaType": "text/html",
    "description": "NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) ERDDAP web service for coral demographic data of adult corals collected by the PIFSC Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) during ESD-led NOAA National Coral Reef Monitoring Program missions to the Mariana Archipelago since 2014.

ERDDAP acts as a middleman between you and various remote data servers. ERDDAP offers an easy-to-use, consistent way to request data: via the OPeNDAP standard. Many datasets can also be accessed via ERDDAP's Web Map Service (WMS). ERDDAP returns data in the common file format of your choice. ERDDAP offers all data as .html table, ESRI .asc and .csv, Google Earth .kml, OPeNDAP binary, .mat, .nc, ODV .txt, .csv, .tsv, .json, and .xhtml. ERDDAP can also return a .png or .pdf image with a customized graph or map. ERDDAP also has web pages (for humans with browsers) and RESTful web services (for computer programs).",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-stream"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "MARIAN2022_coralspecies.csv",
    "accessURL": "https://accession.nodc.noaa.gov/0279491",
    "mediaType": "text/html",
    "description": "List of coral species surveyed in the Mariana archipelago",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-stream"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "GCMD Keyword Forum Page",
    "accessURL": "https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords",
    "mediaType": "text/html",
    "description": "Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2026. GCMD Keywords, Version 24. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-stream"
  },
  {
    "@type": "dcat:Distribution",
    "title": "Full Metadata Record",
    "accessURL": "https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/36165",
    "mediaType": "text/html",
    "description": "View the complete metadata record on InPort for more information about this dataset.",
    "describedByType": "application/octet-stream"
  }
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identifier https://data.noaa.gov/waf/NOAA/nmfs/pifsc/iso/xml/36165.xml
issued 2014-01-01T00:00:00.000+00:00
keyword 
[
  "DOC/NOAA/NMFS/PIFSC/ESD > Ecosystem Sciences Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce",
  "EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > BENTHIC",
  "EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > REEF > CORAL REEF",
  "OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN > MICRONESIA > GUAM",
  "OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN > MICRONESIA > NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS",
  "743",
  "National Coral Reef Monitoring Program",
  "Numeric Data Sets > Biology",
  "EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Ecological Dynamics > Species Richness",
  "EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment",
  "EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Coral Colony Size and Condition",
  "EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Rapid assessment studies",
  "EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs",
  "EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology",
  "EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral Reef Ecology > BioDiversity",
  "EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs > Coral reef ecology > Coral cover",
  "EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Coral",
  "EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Marine Biology > Coral Communities",
  "CORAL",
  "CORAL - CENSUS",
  "CORAL - COLONY SIZE",
  "CORAL - SPECIES IDENTIFICATION",
  "survey",
  "survey - biological",
  "survey - coral reef",
  "survey - swimmer/diver",
  "swimmer/diver",
  "visual observation",
  "CORAL REEF STUDIES",
  "Coral Reef Conservation Program",
  "National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP)",
  "Pacific Reef and Assessment Monitoring Program",
  "US DOC; NOAA; NMFS; Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center; Ecosystem Sciences Division",
  "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Aguihan > Aguihan Island (Aguijan) (14N145E0006)",
  "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Alamagan Island > Alamagan Island (17N145E0002)",
  "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Asuncion Island > Asuncion Island (19N145E0001)",
  "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Farallon de Pajaros > Farallon de Pajaros (20N144E0001)",
  "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Guguan > Guguan Island (17N145E0001)",
  "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Maug > Maug Island (20N145E0001)",
  "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Northern Mariana Islands > Northern Mariana Islands ( CNMI ) (18N146E0000)",
  "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Pagan > Pagan Island (18N145E0001)",
  "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Rota > Rota Island ( Luta ) (14N145E0007)",
  "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Saipan > Saipan Island (15N145E0002)",
  "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Sarigan Island > Sarigan Island (16N145E0003)",
  "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > Northern Mariana Islands > Tinian > Tinian Island (14N145E0005)",
  "COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Guam > Guam (13N144E0000)",
  "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Aguihan Island Reefs > Aguihan Island (Aguijan) (14N145E0006)",
  "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Alamagan Island > Alamagan Island (17N145E0002)",
  "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Asuncion Island > Asuncion Island (19N145E0001)",
  "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Farallon de Pajaros > Farallon de Pajaros (20N144E0001)",
  "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Guam > Guam (13N144E0000)",
  "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Guguan Island > Guguan Island (17N145E0001)",
  "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Mariana Archipelago > Northern Mariana Islands ( CNMI ) (18N146E0000)",
  "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Maug Island > Maug Island (20N145E0001)",
  "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Pagan Island > Pagan Island (18N145E0001)",
  "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Rota Island > Rota Island ( Luta ) (14N145E0007)",
  "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Saipan Island > Saipan Island (15N145E0002)",
  "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Sarigan Island > Sarigan Island (16N145E0003)",
  "OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Tinian Island Reefs > Tinian Island (14N145E0005)",
  "Marianas Trench Marine National Monument",
  "NW Pacific",
  "HI'IALAKAI",
  "Rainier",
  "CNMI",
  "CRED",
  "CREP",
  "Coral Belt Survey",
  "Coral Disease",
  "Coral Reef Ecosystem Division",
  "Coral Reef Ecosystem Program",
  "Ecosystem Sciences Division",
  "PIFSC",
  "Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center",
  "REA",
  "Rapid Ecological Assessments",
  "Triennial",
  "Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands",
  "Mariana Archipelago",
  "Mariana Islands",
  "Marianas",
  "DOC/NOAA/NMFS/PIFSC > Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce",
  "Marianas Archipelago"
]
landingPage https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/36165
language 
[]
license https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
modified 2023-06-01T00:00:00.000+00:00
publisher 
{
  "name": "Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center",
  "@type": "org:Organization"
}
rights otherRestrictions, unclassified
spatial 145.85269754,13.241626,144.634585,20.55177966
temporal 2014-03-25T00:00:00+00:00/2014-05-07T00:00:00+00:00
theme 
[
  "geospatial"
]
title National Coral Reef Monitoring Program: Stratified Random Surveys (StRS) of Coral Demography (Adult and Juvenile Corals) across the Mariana Archipelago since 2014

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