Hawaii Coral Reef Benthic Data And Images From 2017

Digital still images and derived quantitative benthic data document coral reef conditions along transect lines in Maui, Hawaii. The dataset covers 18 transects across 9 sites surveyed between July and September 2017, with most sites having shallow and deep isobath lines. Data originates from the Hawaii Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (CRAMP), a long-term monitoring effort by NOAA/NCEI active since 1999.

Use Cases

• Analyzing coral species distribution and abundance across different depths using benthic identification data.
• Assessing substrate type composition (e.g., live coral, algae, rock) for reef habitat mapping.
• Monitoring temporal changes in reef health by comparing 2017 data with other CRAMP survey years.
• Studying the relationship between reef depth (shallow vs. deep isobaths) and benthic community structure.

Strengths

• Provides species-level benthic identification derived from standardized image analysis via PhotoGrid software.
• Offers paired shallow (~2-4m) and deep (~7-13m) transect data from most of the 9 sites, enabling depth gradient analysis.
• Part of a long-term monitoring program (CRAMP) with surveys conducted quasi-annually since 1999, allowing for temporal trend analysis.

Limitations

• Specific column names, row counts, and dataset size are not provided by any source, limiting detailed assessment of data structure.
• Conflicting 'last updated' dates exist between sources (2017-09-13 vs. 2026-03-06), creating uncertainty about metadata maintenance.

Provenance

Source

NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI via the Hawaii Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (CRAMP).

Collection Method

Data derived via PhotoGrid software analysis of random points on digital still images taken along reef transects.

Time Range

2017-07-11 to 2017-09-13

Freshness

2026-03-06 00:07:50.383788

Geography

9 sites on Maui, Hawaii, Central Pacific Ocean.