Hawaii Coral Reef Benthic Survey Data and Images from Maui

June 13 to July 16, 2018, this dataset contains digital still images and derived quantitative benthic data from 20 transects across 10 sites on Maui. The Hawaii Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (CRAMP) collected the data, which includes substrate type and species identification. CRAMP has conducted state-wide surveys quasi-annually since 1999.

Use Cases

• Classify substrate type (e.g., sand, rock, coral) from digital still images using image recognition models.
• Analyze species identification data to model coral community composition across shallow (~2-4m) and deep (~7-13m) isobaths.
• Use transect location and isobath depth data to assess spatial patterns in benthic cover.
• Leverage the quasi-annual survey history (since 1999) for time-series analysis of reef health at the 10 Maui sites.

Strengths

• Data from 20 transects provides multiple sampling points across the study area.
• Surveys cover two distinct depth zones (shallow and deep) at most sites, enabling depth-based analysis.
• Part of a long-term monitoring program with historic data archived since 1999 for temporal comparison.

Limitations

• The dataset is limited to 10 sites on a single island (Maui), restricting geographic generalizability.
• Sample size is constrained to a single survey period in 2018 for this specific accession.
• Quantitative benthic data is derived from select images only, not the full image set.

Provenance

Source

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) via NASA Earthdata.

Collection Method

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

Time Range

2018-06-13 to 2018-07-16

Freshness

Data collection ended on 2018-07-16; no update frequency specified for this accession.

Geography

10 sites on the island of Maui, Hawaii.