Florida Reef Tract Coral Reef Fish Survey Data

NOAA's National Coral Reef Monitoring Program provides fish survey data from three distinct regions along the Florida reef tract: Dry Tortugas, the Florida Keys, and Miami north to Martin County. Data collection employs a 2-stage stratified random survey design using the stationary point count method within a 7.5-meter radius cylinder. The dataset reports species composition, density, size structure, abundance, and derived ecological metrics.

Use Cases

• Analyzing species composition and abundance across three Florida reef regions.
• Calculating derived ecological metrics like species diversity from survey counts.
• Monitoring changes in fish density and size structure over time.
• Assessing coral reef ecosystem health for conservation planning.

Strengths

• Data collected using a standardized 2-stage stratified random survey design.
• Surveys cover three distinct geographic regions of the Florida reef tract.
• Method employs a consistent stationary point count method (7.5m radius).

Limitations

• Specific row counts, column names, and file sizes are not provided by any source.
• The temporal range of the data collection is not specified.

Provenance

Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Southeast Fisheries Science Center and National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science.

Collection Method

Stationary point count method (7.5m radius cylinder) as part of a 2-stage, stratified random survey design under the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program.

Time Range

null

Freshness

2026-04-01 15:26:07.497595

Geography

Florida reef tract, including Dry Tortugas, Florida Keys (Key West to Miami), and Miami north to Martin County.