CRAMP: Benthic Survey Images and Data from Maui Coral Reefs

From June 6 to August 29, 2019, this dataset contains digital still images and derived quantitative benthic data from 20 transects across 10 sites on Maui, Hawaii. Data includes substrate type and species identification, analyzed via the PhotoGrid software from random points on reef images. The collection is part of the long-term Hawaii Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (CRAMP), which has conducted quasi-annual statewide surveys since 1999.

Use Cases

• Assessing coral reef health and bleaching impacts based on species identification and substrate data.
• Monitoring long-term changes in benthic communities using the quasi-annual survey time series.
• Comparing shallow (~2-4m) and deep (~7-13m) reef zones based on transect isobath data.
• Calibrating or validating remote sensing or other reef survey methods with ground-truthed image data.

Strengths

• Provides a long-term perspective, with program surveys conducted quasi-annually since 1999.
• Includes both raw digital still images and derived, quantitative benthic data analyzed via a standardized method (PhotoGrid).
• Offers paired shallow and deep transects at most sites, enabling within-site depth gradient analysis.

Limitations

• Specific column names and data structure are not provided in the available metadata.
• Conflicting last-updated dates exist between platforms (2019-08-29 vs. 2026-04-01), creating uncertainty about data currency.
• The dataset's size and row count are unknown, limiting assessment of its scale and manageability.

Provenance

Source

Hawaii Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program (CRAMP), archived at NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI.

Collection Method

Digital still images collected along transect lines, with benthic data derived via PhotoGrid software analysis of random points on images.

Time Range

2019-06-06 to 2019-08-29 (specific survey), with program history from 1999 onward.

Freshness

Last updated dates conflict: 2019-08-29 on NASA Earthdata and 2026-04-01 on Data.gov.

Geography

10 sites on Maui, Hawaii, Central Pacific Ocean.