gov.noaa.nodc:0290327 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 2026-04-06T18:23:36Z ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) Benthic Cover Derived from Analysis of Benthic Images Collected from the NOAA R/V Manta in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary from 2022-08-25 to 2022-09-02 (NCEI Accession 0290327) 2024-03-23 publication 2024-03-19 creation International DOI Foundation (IDF) 10.25921/vptp-p636 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information gov.noaa.nodc:0290327 NCEI Archive Management System 0290327 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 Donavon French Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) donavon.french@noaa.gov https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/ HTTPS Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) website Institution web page information resourceProvider Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/ HTTPS Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) website Institution web page information resourceProvider Donavon French Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) donavon.french@noaa.gov https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/ HTTPS Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) website Institution web page information pointOfContact Michelle Johnston Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) Michelle.a.johnston@noaa.gov https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/ HTTPS Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) website Institution web page information collaborator Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) kelly.oconnell@noaa.gov https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/ HTTPS Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) website Institution web page information collaborator Erica Towle National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) erica.towle@noaa.gov collaborator Kimberly Edwards National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) kimberly.edwards@noaa.gov collaborator Johnston, Michelle Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/ HTTPS Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) website Institution web page information author French, Donavon Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/ HTTPS Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) website Institution web page information author O'Connell, Kelly Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/ HTTPS Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) website Institution web page information author Nuttall, Marissa Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/ HTTPS Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) website Institution web page information author Hannum, Ryan Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/ HTTPS Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) website Institution web page information author Eisenbach, Olivia Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/ HTTPS Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) website Institution web page information author Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/ HTTPS Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) website Institution web page information author NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) https://coralreef.noaa.gov HTTPS NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) website Institution web page information contributor Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) https://flowergarden.noaa.gov/ HTTPS Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) website Institution web page information contributor tableDigital Transects were run alongside NCRMP’s LPI transects at grid-based stratified random sites on the EFGB and WFGB coral caps. The transect sites were chosen by NCRMP using their Spatial Framework Protocols (NOAA NCCOS, 2018). The selection design ensures proportional allocation of survey sites based on hard bottom habitat types (low relief and high relief) and geography (EFGB and WFGB) up to a maximum depth of 30 m. Details of the sample frame protocol, methods, and definitions of the specific habitat types can be found in the Spatial Framework Protocols (NOAA NCCOS, 2018). Mean percent benthic cover from random transect images were analyzed using Coral Point Count (CPCe) version 4.1 with a 510-point overlay randomly distributed among all images within a transect (30 spatially random points per image) (Aronson et al. 1994; Kohler and Gill 2006). Organisms positioned beneath each random point were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level, and cover was categorized into seven groups: 1) coral, 2) sponges (including encrusting sponges), 3) CCA, 4) macroalgae (algae longer than approximately 3 mm and thick algal turfs covering underlying substrate), 5) colonizable substrate (including fine turf algae, rubble, and bare rock) (Aronson and Precht 2000; Aronson et al. 2005), 6) sand, and 7) an “other” category (biotic components such as sea urchins, ascidians, fish, serpulids, and unknown species). Additional features (photostation tags, tape measures, scientific equipment) and points with no data (shadows) were excluded from the analysis. Points on corals that could not be differentiated because of camera angle or camera distortion were labeled as “unidentified coral.” Coral colonies that could not be identified to the species level were labeled as their genus. Point count analysis was applied on photos within a transect and mean percent cover for all groups was determined by averaging all transects. Results are presented as mean percent cover ± standard error (SE). Incidences of coral bleaching, paling, concentrated and isolated fish biting, and mortality were also recorded as “notes” in CPCe, providing additional data for each random point. Any point that landed on a portion of coral that was white in color was characterized as “bleached.” Any point that landed on coral that was pale relative to what is considered “normal” for the species was characterized as “paling” (AGRRA 2012). If the colony displayed some bleaching or paling, but the point landed on a healthy area of the organism, the point was “healthy” and no bleaching or paling was noted in CPCe. To classify fish biting, any point that landed where fish biting occurred on a coral head more than once was classified as concentrated fish biting, and any point where there was only one occurrence of fish biting was classified as isolated fish biting. Mortality included any point on recently dead coral (exposed bare skeleton) with little to no algae growth that could still be identified to the species level. Consistency for photographic random transect methods was ensured by using multiple, scientific divers all trained on the same camera systems for correct camera operation. Camera settings and equipment were standardized so that consistent transect images were taken annually, and equipment checklists were provided in the field to ensure divers had all equipment and were confident with tasks assigned. Random transect photographs were reviewed promptly after images were taken, in the field, to ensure the quality was sufficient for analysis. After all benthic components were identified in CPCe files, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) consisted of an independent review by a separate, trained researcher, different from the CPCe analyzer, to ensure all identified points from the random transect photographs were accurate. Any mistakes were corrected before percent cover analysis was completed. East Flower Garden Bank (EFGB) and West Flower Garden Bank (WFGB) are part of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS), located in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. The annual long-term monitoring program began in 1989 and is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s FGBNMS and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, with support from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. As part of the long-term monitoring, photo transects taken at random locations within the one-hectare study sites on each bank to estimate the coverage of benthic species on the coral reef cap. In late summer 2022, FGBNMS Random Transects were run alongside National Coral Reef Monitoring Program’s (NCRMP) Line Point Intercept (LPI) surveys at EFGB and WFGB during NCRMP’s biological monitoring cruise. These transects were used to compare the two methods for further integration of the two organizations, and as a start to reef wide random transects for East and West Bank long-term monitoring. Funding Agency: National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) Funding Agency: Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Funding Agency: US DOI; Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 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:0290327 Preview graphic PNG 0290327 NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 2024-03-15 publication BENTHIC SPECIES BENTHIC SPECIES - TAXA COUNTS biological data CORAL CORAL - CENSUS HABITAT - BENTHIC MACROALGAE SPONGE SPECIES IDENTIFICATION theme NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS photograph instrument NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS biological in situ theme NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program dataCentre NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary dataCentre NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) LONG-TERM MONITORING AT THE EAST AND WEST FLOWER GARDEN BANKS (FLOWER GARDENS) National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) project NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Gulf of Mexico place NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS oceanography theme WMO_CategoryCode 2012-09-15 publication DOC/NOAA/NOS/NMS > National Marine Sanctuaries, National Ocean 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 31335 Integration of NCRMP and FGBNMS Coral Reef Monitoring Programs project CRCP Project Numeric Data Sets > Benthic theme CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Benthic Habitat EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Aquatic Habitat > Reef Habitat EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Vegetation > Algae > Algal Cover EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Monitoring and Assessment > Benthos Analysis 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 > Sponges EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Coastal Processes > Coral Reefs 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 > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > ANIMALS/INVERTEBRATES > SPONGES EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION > PLANTS > MACROALGAE (SEAWEEDS) EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > BENTHIC EARTH SCIENCE > SOLID EARTH > GEOMORPHIC LANDFORMS/PROCESSES > COASTAL LANDFORMS > CORAL REEFS 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 BENTHIC COVERAGE theme Provider Keywords NOAA R/V Manta platform Provider Platform Names COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Texas > East Flower Garden Banks (27N093W0001) COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Texas > West Flower Garden Banks (27N093W0002) OCEAN BASIN > Atlantic Ocean > Gulf of Mexico > Flower Garden Banks > East Flower Garden Banks (27N093W0001) OCEAN BASIN > Atlantic Ocean > Gulf of Mexico > Flower Garden Banks > West Flower Garden Banks (27N093W0002) place CoRIS Place Thesaurus OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > GULF OF AMERICA OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > GULF OF MEXICO 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 East Flower Garden Bank West Flower Garden Bank place Provider Place Names K19JFP Send2NCEI Submission Package ID accessLevel: public otherRestrictions Cite as: Johnston, Michelle; French, Donavon; O'Connell, Kelly; Nuttall, Marissa; Hannum, Ryan; Eisenbach, Olivia; Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (2024). Benthic Cover Derived from Analysis of Benthic Images Collected from the NOAA R/V Manta in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary from 2022-08-25 to 2022-09-02 (NCEI Accession 0290327). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/vptp-p636. 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. Kohler, K. E., & Gill, S. M. (2006). Coral Point Count with Excel extensions (CPCe): A Visual Basic program for the determination of coral and substrate coverage using random point count methodology. Computers & Geosciences, 32(9), 1259–1269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2005.11.009 2006-11 publication International DOI Foundation (IDF) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2005.11.009 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2005.11.009 HTTPS https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2005.11.009 Related journal article information Kohler, Kevin E. author Gill, Shaun M. author Elsevier BV publisher documentDigital Computers & Geosciences 32(9) ISSN 0098-3004, pp. 1259-1269 crossReference sciencePaper Aronson, R. B., Precht, W. F., Murdoch, T. J. T., & Robbart, M. L. (2005). Long-Term Persistence of Coral Assemblages on the Flower Garden Banks, Northwestern Gulf of Mexico: Implications for Science and Management. Gulf of Mexico Science, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.18785/goms.2301.06 2005-01-01 publication International DOI Foundation (IDF) https://doi.org/10.18785/goms.2301.06 https://doi.org/10.18785/goms.2301.06 HTTPS https://doi.org/10.18785/goms.2301.06 Related journal article information Aronson, Richard B. Dauphin Island Sea Lab author Precht, William F. PBS&J author Murdoch, Thaddeus J.T. Dauphin Island Sea Lab author Robbart, Martha L. PBS&J author University of Southern Mississippi publisher documentDigital goms 23(1) ISSN 1087-688X crossReference sciencePaper Aronson, R. B., Edmunds, P. J., Precht, W. F., Swanson, D. W., & Levitan, D. R. (1994). Large-scale, long-term monitoring of Caribbean coral reefs: Simple, quick, inexpensive techniques. Atoll Research Bulletin, 421, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00775630.421.1 1994 publication International DOI Foundation (IDF) https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00775630.421.1 https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00775630.421.1 HTTPS https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00775630.421.1 Related journal article information Aronson, Richard B. author Edmunds, P. J. author Precht, W. F. author Swanson, D. W. author Levitan, D. R. author Smithsonian Institution publisher documentDigital Atoll Research Bulletin 421 ISSN 0077-5630, pp. 1-19 crossReference sciencePaper Aronson, R. B., & Precht, W. F. (2000). Herbivory and algal dynamics on the coral reef at Discovery Bay, Jamaica. Limnology and Oceanography, 45(1), 251–255. https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2000.45.1.0251 2000-01 publication International DOI Foundation (IDF) https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2000.45.1.0251 https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2000.45.1.0251 HTTPS https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2000.45.1.0251 Related journal article information Aronson, Richard B. author Precht, William F. author Wiley publisher documentDigital Limnology & Oceanography 45(1) ISSN 0024-3590, ISSN 1939-5590, pp. 251-255 crossReference sciencePaper AGRRA (Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment). 2012. AGRRA Protocols, version 5.4. J.C. Lang, K.W. Marks, P.A. Kramer, P.R. Kramer, and R.N. Ginsburg, eds. 31 pp. 2012 publication crossReference userGuide NCRMP Sample Frame Development Protocols for U.S. Caribbean and FGBNMS (NOAA NCCOS, 2018) 2018 publication https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0157633/13.13/data/0-data/Atlantic/Biological/Caribbean_Gulf-of-Mexico/NCRMP_Protocol_SampleFrame_Protocol_2016.pdf HTTPS https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0157633/13.13/data/0-data/Atlantic/Biological/Caribbean_Gulf-of-Mexico/NCRMP_Protocol_SampleFrame_Protocol_2016.pdf Sampling Protocol Development information crossReference userGuide eng; USA utf8 environment oceans biota -93.82295 -93.5966166 27.873216 27.919483 2022-08-25 2022-09-02 The imagery that was collected as part of this study were not submitted to NCEI as part of this archival information package. The associated data from the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program is archived separately. 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You may copy and paste the FTP link to the data into an FTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP). download dataset NCEI Accession 0290327 v1.1 was published. 2024-03-23T11:51:57Z NCEI Accession 0290327 v1.1 publication https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0290327/1.1 HTTPS NCEI Accession 0290327 v1.1 published 2024-03-23T11:51:57Z download dataset Parameter or Variable: BENTHIC COVERAGE (measured); Units: percent; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: photograph; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Transects were run alongside NCRMP’s LPI transects at grid-based stratified random sites on the EFGB and WFGB coral caps. A still camera, mounted on a 0.65 m T-frame with a bubble level and strobes, was used to capture non-overlapping images of the reef, where each image captured approximately 0.8 x 0.6 m (0.48 m^2). Each transect was designed to capture 8.16 m^2 of benthic habitat, therefore requiring 17 images. Spooled fiberglass 15 m measuring tapes with 17 pre-marked intervals (every 0.8 m) were used as guides, providing a 0.2 m buffer between each image to prevent overlap. A Canon Power Shot® G11 digital camera in an Ikelite® housing with a 28 mm equivalent wet mount lens adaptor, with two Inon® Z240 strobes set 1 m apart on the T-frame, was used. Thirty points per image for a total of five hundred and ten points per transect, are randomly overlaid on each image. The benthos lying directly under each point was identified. See the CPC code file: FGBNMS_LTM_Coral_Codes_Final_July2017.txt for code definition.; Data Quality Method: Data was reviewed by trained observers for quality and accuracy. asNeeded Metadata are developed, maintained and distributed by NCEI. Updates are performed as needed to maintain currentness. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information custodian photograph photograph still images used as the basis for making parameter determinations