Coral bleaching data from Bleachwatch in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary from 2015-05-31 to 2015-11-03 (NCEI Accession 0140822)
The BleachWatch data form has been designed to minimize the effort required by observers to report on coral condition from throughout the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. BleachWatch observers are requested to provide their contact information, as well as the type of community group that describes them. Site information includes the location name, GPS coordinates, water depth, reef zone that describes the site (hardbottom, patch reef, mid-channel reef, deep reef, or bank reef), as well as basic environmental conditions such as wind speed and air temperature, cloud cover, and water temperature at both the surface and at depth. Basic bleaching observations include the severity of bleaching observed overall at the site (no bleaching, paling, bleached only on the upper surface, completely bleached), the growth forms of corals affected (brain, branching, fleshy, flower/cup, leaf/plate/sheet, or mound/boulder), the percent of overall coral cover at the site affected, and the depth range where bleaching is observed. Finally, observers are asked to note bleaching in other species of interest, including fire coral, zooanthids, and gorgonians, as well as any other observations of coral disease or mortality that may be occurring at the site. After exiting the water, observers simply enter these observations on the report form provided. Observers are asked to report as regularly as possible, and are made to understand that observations of no bleaching present are equally as important.
Dataset Citation
- Cite as: Dieveney, Beth; Walter, Cory; Bartels, Erich (2016). Coral bleaching data from Bleachwatch in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary from 2015-05-31 to 2015-11-03 (NCEI Accession 0140822). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0140822. Accessed [date].
Dataset Identifiers
ISO 19115-2 Metadata
gov.noaa.nodc:0140822
Download Data |
|
Distribution Formats |
|
Ordering Instructions | Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions. |
Distributor |
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information +1-301-713-3277 NCEI.Info@noaa.gov |
Dataset Point of Contact |
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov |
Time Period | 2015-05-31 to 2015-11-03 |
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates |
West: -83.03599
East: -80.09433
South: 24.44369
North: 25.62397
|
Spatial Coverage Map |
General Documentation |
|
Associated Resources |
|
Publication Dates |
|
Data Presentation Form | Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns |
Dataset Progress Status | Complete - production of the data has been completed Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility |
Data Update Frequency | As needed |
Supplemental Information | Submission Package ID: GHXBKP |
Purpose | As the occurrence and severity of coral bleaching has increased in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) since the 1980’s, The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other scientists have developed remote sensing products and a network of environmental monitoring stations in order to try to more accurately predict coral bleaching in the Florida Keys. Although remote sensing and in-situ data collection can provide an indication of when environmental conditions are ideal for the onset of coral bleaching, the actual onset of bleaching can be a gradual process and effects can vary over an area as large as the FKNMS. In order to accurately assess the initial affects of bleaching events and to assess coral condition during and after bleaching events, the Florida Keys BleachWatch program coordinates a large network of trained observers to provide regular reports of actual coral conditions on the reefs. Each BleachWatch observer receives a packet containing information on the project and FAQ’s on coral bleaching, report forms complete with detailed instructions, and an underwater visual aid. The report form has been designed to minimize the effort needed to make observations and report on conditions, and the underwater visual aids are designed to minimize gear for the diver to carry yet be easily accessible and available when needed to help make mental notes on coral condition throughout the dive. The underwater visual aid provides a summary of the important information needed from the monitoring form such as environmental conditions as well as images to help determine percent of bleached live coral cover and major growth types for ease of coral identification. After exiting the water, observers simply enter these and any other notable observations on the report form provided. Observers are asked to report as regularly as possible, and are made to understand that observations of no bleaching present are equally as important. By interpreting observations of coral condition from various areas within a geographic zone of concern during potential bleaching events, additional insight can be gained toward determining natural resilience, both for habitat types, geographical location, and species of coral. This information will allow researchers to further develop the accuracy of available coral bleaching early warning products and assist resource managers to better communicate the condition of the reefs as potential bleaching events occur, as well as potentially integrating the information into existing management plans. |
Use Limitations |
|
Dataset Citation |
|
Cited Authors | |
Principal Investigators | |
Collaborators | |
Contributors | |
Resource Providers | |
Publishers |
Use Constraints |
|
Access Constraints |
|
Fees |
|
Lineage information for: dataset | |
---|---|
Processing Steps |
|
Output Datasets |
|
Lineage information for: dataset | |
---|---|
Processing Steps |
|
Acquisition Information (collection) | |
---|---|
Instrument |
|
Last Modified: 2024-02-21T13:40:56Z
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov