gov.noaa.nodc:0259389 eng utf8 dataset NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NOAA Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information custodian 2025-12-14T19:43:34Z ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) Benthic Surveys in Faga'alu, American Samoa: benthic images collected during belt transect surveys in 2020 (NCEI Accession 0259389) 2022-09-12 publication 2022-08-30 creation NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information gov.noaa.nodc:0259389 NCEI Archive Management System 0259389 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information publisher Lori Luers NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division nmfs.pic.credinfo@noaa.gov https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/ HTTPS NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division website Institution web page information resourceProvider NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/PIFSC) resourceProvider Bernardo Vargas-Ángel NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division bernardo.vargas-angel@noaa.gov https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/ HTTPS NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division website Institution web page information principalInvestigator Lori Luers NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division lori.luers@noaa.gov https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/ HTTPS NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division website Institution web page information pointOfContact NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division https://www.pifsc.noaa.gov/ecosystem_sciences/ HTTPS NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division website Institution web page information author NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/PIFSC) contributor tableDigital The benthic images provided here are part of the CRCP-funded project aimed at establishing baseline Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) surveys for coral reef benthic cover and composition at Faga'alu Bay, Tutuila, American Samoa. In 2020, the survey implemented a one -stage stratified random sampling (StRS) design to assess the Faga'alu benthic coral reef community. 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 cardinal position (i.e., north and south), reef zone (i.e., backreef and forereef), and depth (i.e., shallow: >0–6 m and mid-depth: >6–18 m). Sampling effort allocation was determined based on strata area and sites randomly located within strata. The StRS design effectively reduces estimate variance through stratification using environmental covariates and by sampling more sites rather than more transects per site. Therefore, site-to-site comparisons should proceed with caution. In 2020, thirty images were collected along one, haphazardly laid, 30-m transects. Still photographs were collected to record the benthic community composition at predetermined points along belt transect with a high-resolution digital camera mounted on a pole. Photographs were taken every 1 m from the 1 m to the 30 m mark. This work generates 30 photographs per site, which are later analyzed by ESD staff and partners using the computer program CoralNet. This analysis is the basis for estimating benthic cover and composition at each site, which is accessible on a separate NCEI accession. Survey protocols followed the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program methodologies historically implemented by NOAA's Ecosystem Sciences Division. Funded by NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP), scientists and divers from the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) and the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources (DMWR) Coral Reef Advisory Group (CRAG) were engaged in a joint project, to assess and monitor coral reef communities in Faga'alu Bay and Vatia Bay in Tutuila, American Samoa. This 2020 data are part of a follow-up mission to the 2012 and 2015 surveys conducted to assess and monitor benthic reef communities in Faga'alu and Vatia Bays, addressing national and jurisdictional goals to reduce the impacts of land-based sources of pollution in coral reef ecosystems. In August 2012 Faga'alu watershed in American Samoa was adopted by the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Watershed Partnership Initiative as a priority site, with the objective to reduce inputs of land-based sources of pollution to nearby coastal areas and coral reefs within the watershed. The Samoa Maritime rock quarry was found to be a major contributor to the periodic flux of excessive sediments onto the adjacent reef in Faga'alu. In September-December 2014, mitigation actions were implemented at the Samoa Maritime Quarry, including the installation of drainage systems, alternative ground cover, and retention ponds. Data were collected to assess the effectiveness of management actions implemented to reduce land-based sources of pollution impacts originating from the Samoa Maritime rock quarry. Pre-intervention baseline images data were collected in 2012 and subsequent post-intervention monitoring in 2015 and 2020. Funding was provided by the NOAA CRCP through two internal projects entitled. 1) Comprehensive Baseline Assessment and Pilot Test of Outcome Performance Measures in Faga'alu Bay, American Samoa, awarded to Susie Holst. 2) Status and Trends Assessment for Land-based Sources of Pollution Impacts on Benthic Reef Communities in Faga'alu Bay and Vatia Bay, American Samoa, awarded to the NOAA Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD). Funding Agency: NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program completed historicalArchive NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information pointOfContact asNeeded https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/gfx?id=gov.noaa.nodc:0259389 Preview graphic PNG 0259389 NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 2022-08-25 publication CORAL HABITAT - BENTHIC PHOTOQUADRAT IMAGES theme NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS camera instrument NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS benthic biological in situ survey - biological survey - coral reef visual observation theme NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center dataCentre NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center dataCentre NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) CORAL REEF STUDIES project NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS South Pacific Ocean place NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS oceanography theme WMO_CategoryCode 2012-09-15 publication CRED CREP Coral Reef Ecosystem Division Coral Reef Ecosystem Program ESD Ecosystem Sciences Division PIFSC Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center dataCentre Contributing Organizations DOC/NOAA/NMFS > National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce dataCentre Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords 2026 revision 24 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. 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 information custodian 917 Comprehensive baseline assessment and pilot test of outcome performance measures in Faga'alu Bay, American Samoa project CRCP Project Visual Images > Corals Visual Images > Habitats theme CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Benthic Habitat EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Reef Habitat EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Baseline studies EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Benthos Analysis > Quadrat Monitoring EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Benthos Analysis > Quadrat Monitoring > Photograph Analysis EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Benthos Analysis > Transect Monitoring > Belt Transect EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > In Situ Biological EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Photographic Analysis 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 > Benthic biology 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 theme CoRIS Theme Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > BENTHIC EARTH SCIENCE > SOLID EARTH > GEOMORPHIC LANDFORMS/PROCESSES > COASTAL LANDFORMS > CORAL REEFS EARTH SCIENCE > SPECTRAL/ENGINEERING > VISIBLE WAVELENGTHS > VISIBLE IMAGERY theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords 2026 revision 24 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. 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 information custodian REA Rapid Ecological Assessment theme Provider Keywords CAMERA > CAMERA instrument Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords 2026 revision 24 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. 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 information custodian COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > American Samoa > American Samoa (14S170W0000) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > American Samoa > Tutuila Island > Faga'alu (14S170W0005) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > American Samoa > American Samoa (14S170W0000) OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Pago Pago Harbor > Faga'alu (14S170W0005) place CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN place Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords 2026 revision 24 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. 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 information custodian Faga'alu place Provider Place Names C8Y2F3 Send2NCEI Submission Package ID accessLevel: public otherRestrictions Cite as: NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Ecosystem Sciences Division (2022). Benthic Surveys in Faga'alu, American Samoa: benthic images collected during belt transect surveys in 2020 (NCEI Accession 0259389). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0259389. Accessed [date]. Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives. otherRestrictions Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose. Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 2022: Benthic Surveys in Faga'alu, American Samoa since 2012: benthic images collected during belt transect surveys in 2012, 2015, 2020, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/25371. 2022 publication gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:25371 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/25371 HTTPS https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/25371 InPort Metadata Record information NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/PIFSC) publisher tableDigital crossReference Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 2022: Benthic Surveys in Faga'alu, American Samoa: benthic cover derived from analysis of benthic images collected during belt transect surveys of coral demography in 2015 and 2020, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/32707. 2022 publication gov.noaa.nmfs.inport:32707 https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/32707 HTTPS https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/32707 InPort Metadata Record information NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (NMFS/PIFSC) publisher tableDigital crossReference Vargas-Ángel, Bernardo; Huntington, Brittany. Status and Trends Assessment for Land-based Sources of Pollution Impacts on Benthic Reef Communities in Faga‘alu Bay, American Samoa. NOAA technical memorandum NMFS-PIFSC; 109. 2020. https://doi.org/10.25923/0gvj-zm69 2020 publication noaa:27088 International DOI Foundation (IDF) https://doi.org/10.25923/0gvj-zm69 https://doi.org/10.25923/0gvj-zm69 HTTPS https://doi.org/10.25923/0gvj-zm69 NOAA Central Library: Technical Memorandum information Vargas-Ángel, Bernardo author Huntington, Brittany author United States. National Marine Fisheries Service. author Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (U.S.) author NOAA Library https://library.noaa.gov/ HTTPS NOAA Library website Institution web page information publisher NOAA technical memorandum NMFS-PIFSC ; 109 crossReference collection eng; USA utf8 environment oceans imageryBaseMapsEarthCover biota -170.681125 -170.672613 -14.293791 -14.28678 2020-01-15 2020-01-24 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information +1-301-713-3277 ncei.info@noaa.gov pointOfContact In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media. Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions. CSV JPEG 9642.212 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0259389 HTTPS Web browser NCEI Dataset Landing Page Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/oas/259389 HTTPS Web browser Descriptive Information Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/download/259389 HTTPS Web browser HTTPS Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download. download ftp://ftp-oceans.ncei.noaa.gov/nodc/archive/arc0207/0259389/ FTP Any FTP client FTP These data are available through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). FTP is no longer supported by most internet browsers. You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP). download dataset NCEI Accession 0259389 v1.1 was published. 2022-09-12T21:51:57Z NCEI Accession 0259389 v1.1 publication https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0259389/1.1 HTTPS NCEI Accession 0259389 v1.1 published 2022-09-12T21:51:57Z download dataset Parameter or Variable: PHOTOQUADRAT IMAGES (measured); Units: N/A; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: camera; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Photoquadrat surveys were conducted along one, 30 meter transect per site. Photos of the benthic substrate were taken at one meter intervals starting at meter 1, along the left hand side of the transect (30 images/transect; 30 images total); Data Quality Method: Benthic Image collection was conducted by experienced benthic survey personnel who have been trained. Handheld GPS units were used to mark site locations. An optical validation QC procedure is employed to verify number of images, per site and file name. Also, image color correction is implemented to improve image quality. asNeeded Metadata are developed, maintained and distributed by NCEI. Updates are performed as needed to maintain currentness. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information custodian camera camera An instrument for recording images.