Mariana Archipelago Coral Reef Benthic Cover Survey Data

This dataset contains benthic cover data and associated images from stratified random surveys across the Mariana Archipelago's coral reefs. It results from the ongoing National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP), managed by NOAA NCEI. Images were analyzed using Coral Point Count with Excel extensions (CPCe) software in 2014 and the CoralNet web-based annotation tool thereafter.

Use Cases

• Analyzing percent cover of benthic functional groups like hard coral, soft coral, and macroalgae (Tier 1).
• Studying coral morphology (e.g., massive, branching, foliose) and macroalgae genera (e.g., Caulerpa, Padina) from Tier 2 and Tier 3 classifications.
• Assessing benthic community taxonomic composition and relative generic richness across stratified random sites.
• Investigating the relationship between reef zone, depth (0-30m), and island location on benthic cover estimates.

Strengths

• Employs a stratified random sampling (StRS) design based on island, reef zone, and depth for robust spatial representation.
• Provides three levels of taxonomic/functional detail (Tier 1-3) for benthic cover analysis.
• Includes both quantitative data and the original source imagery, allowing for validation and re-analysis.

Limitations

• Key technical details like row count, column names, and dataset size are unknown across all sources.
• The last update date is inconsistently reported, with one source listing 2026-03-05 and others showing 'None'.

Provenance

Source

NOAA_NCEI via the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP).

Collection Method

Benthic photo-quadrat surveys conducted along transects at stratified random sites, with imagery analyzed via CPCe and CoralNet.

Time Range

Surveys are part of an ongoing program; analysis began in 2014.

Freshness

2026-03-05 23:47:57.556298

Geography

Stratified random sites across the Mariana Archipelago, focusing on reef and hard bottom habitats in the 0-30 m depth range.