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OAS accession Detail for 0165354
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Title: Coral reef fish biomass and benthic cover data from Timor-Leste in June 2013 (NCEI Accession 0165354)
Abstract: Coral reef fish and benthos were surveyed at 150 shallow-water coral reef sites across the north coast of Timor-Leste and around Atauro Island in June 2013 during a 21-day survey mission. This project was conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center's Coral Reef Ecosystem Program (CREP) using consistent methods, survey design, and personnel.

Fish biomass and benthic cover were estimated at all survey sites using the stationary point count (SPC) method. The SPC method catalogs the diversity (species richness), abundance (numeric density) and biomass (fish mass per unit area) of diurnally active reef fish assemblages in shallow-water (less than 30 m) hard-bottom habitats. Visual estimates of benthic cover and topographic complexity are also recorded, with benthic organisms grouped into broad functional categories (e.g., 'Hard Coral', 'Macroalgae'). A stratified random sampling (StRS) design was employed, similar to surveys conducted by NOAA CREP of the coral reef ecosystems throughout the U.S.-Pacific regions.

The goal of the survey work was to generate baseline data on the nearshore coral reef fish assemblages and associated benthic communities around Timor-Leste's north coast and Atauro Island. Surveys were concentrated around these areas due to (1) limited time and resources, but also (2) low water visibility and safety concerns for potential dive survey operations along the south shore. In addition to the visual observations of reef fish and the associated benthos, photographs of the seafloor were taken using a photoquadrat method and were later analyzed for benthic cover. These two additional datasets are documented separately.

The reef fish and benthic estimate data collected during the 2013 mission in Timor-Leste can be accessed online via the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Ocean Archive.
Date received: 20170821
Start date: 20130604
End date: 20130627
Seanames: Banda Sea, Indian Ocean, Sawu Sea, Timor Sea
West boundary: 124.108
East boundary: 127.341
North boundary: -8.13593
South boundary: -9.31186
Observation types: biological, in situ, survey, survey - biological, survey - coral reef, survey - swimmer/diver, visual observation
Instrument types: swimmer/diver, visual observation
Datatypes: FISH BIOMASS, FISH CENSUS, MACROINVERTEBRATE CENSUS, REEF AND/OR BOTTOM REGIME - PERCENT COVER, SPECIES IDENTIFICATION - ORGANISM LENGTH
Submitter: Kanemura, Troy
Submitting institution: US DOC; NOAA; NMFS; Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center; Ecosystem Sciences Division; Coral Reef Ecosystem Program
Collecting institutions: US DOC; NOAA; NMFS; Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center; Ecosystem Sciences Division; Coral Reef Ecosystem Program
Contributing projects: CORAL REEF STUDIES, CRCP, CTI
Platforms:
Number of observations:
Supplementary information:
Availability date:
Metadata version: 11
Keydate: 2017-08-29 16:50:03+00
Editdate: 2024-09-09 23:53:32+00