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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Coral bleaching data from Bleachwatch in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary from 2015-05-31 to 2015-11-03 (NCEI Accession 0140822)

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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.
  • 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].
gov.noaa.nodc:0140822
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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
  • publication: 2016-01-19
  • revision: 2016-02-24
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
  • accessLevel: Public
  • 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.
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].
Cited Authors
Principal Investigators
Collaborators
Contributors
Resource Providers
Publishers
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
Place keywords NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
Project keywords NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS CRCP Project
  • 430
  • Florida Keys BleachWatch
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Use Constraints
  • 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].
Access Constraints
  • 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.
Fees
  • 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.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • 2016-01-19T15:02:11Z - NCEI Accession 0140822 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-02-24T18:52:00Z - NCEI Accession 0140822 was revised and v2.2 was published.
    Rationale: Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession.
Output Datasets
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • Data Type: DEPTH - OBSERVATION (measured); Units: feet; Observation Type: in situ; Sampling Instrument: visual observation.
  • Data Type: HABITAT - BENTHIC (measured); Units: reef type; Observation Type: in situ; Sampling Instrument: visual observation.
  • Data Type: WIND SPEED (measured); Units: knot; Observation Type: in situ; Sampling Instrument: visual observation.
  • Data Type: TEMPERATURE - AIR [AIR TEMPERATURE] (measured); Units: degrees fahrenheit; Observation Type: in situ; Sampling Instrument: thermometer.
  • Data Type: SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE (measured); Units: degrees fahrenheit; Observation Type: in situ; Sampling Instrument: thermometer.
  • Data Type: TEMPERATURE - BOTTOM WATER [WATER TEMPERATURE] (measured); Units: degrees fahrenheit; Observation Type: in situ; Sampling Instrument: thermometer.
  • Data Type: cloud amount/frequency (measured); Units: qualitative estimate; Observation Type: in situ; Sampling Instrument: visual estimate.
  • Data Type: CORAL-BLEACHING (measured); Units: qualitative estimate; Observation Type: in situ; Sampling Instrument: visual estimate; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Estimated the amount and severity of bleaching on various growth forms of corals.
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • thermometer
  • visual estimate
  • visual observation
Last Modified: 2024-02-21T13:40:56Z
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