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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Coral bleaching data from Bleachwatch in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary from 2016-05-17 to 2016-10-03 (NCEI Accession 0157068)

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The initial onset of mass coral bleaching can vary among different species, geographic locations, types of reef zones and a fluctuation of severity, which makes it very difficult to predict where or when it will occur. The Florida Keys BleachWatch Program, modeled after Great Barrier Reef’s BleachWatch, is a team of trained recreational, commercial and scientific divers who help monitor and report on conditions at the reefs. After each visit to the reef, the divers complete a data form, either printed or online, and send it to the BleachWatch coordinator. The divers are provided with an underwater wristband to use as a reference and a reminder key below and above the water. Information from NOAA's remote sensing and in-situ monitoring projects are reviewed routinely and summarized along with BleachWatch volunteer observations in the field to provide a comprehensive overview of current conditions throughout the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Florida Keys Coral Bleaching Current Conditions Reports include a summary of relevant weather information, NOAA Coral Bleaching "HotSpot" and "Degree Heating Weeks" analysis, and updated in-situ monitoring data, along with BleachWatch observer reports for each region during a given period.
  • Cite as: Dieveney, Beth; Walter, Cory; Bartels, Erich (2016). Coral bleaching data from Bleachwatch in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary from 2016-05-17 to 2016-10-03 (NCEI Accession 0157068). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0157068. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0157068
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Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
+1-301-713-3277
NCEI.Info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 2016-05-17 to 2016-10-03
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -82.9425
East: -80.2099
South: 24.4439
North: 25.2224
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2016-11-29
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed
Supplemental Information
Purpose:
As the occurance and severity of coral bleaching has increased in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) since the 1980’s, The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other scientists have developed remote sensing products and a network of environmental monitoring stations in order to try to more accurately predict coral bleaching in the Florida Keys. However, although remote sensing and in-situ data collection can provide an indication of when environmental conditions are ideal for the onset of coral bleaching, the actual onset of bleaching can be a gradual process, and effects can vary over an area as large as the FKNMS. In order to accurately assess the initial affects of bleaching events, and to assess coral condition during and after bleaching events, the Florida Keys BleachWatch program coordinates a large network of trained observers to provide regular reports of actual coral conditions on the reefs.

Each BleachWatch observer receives a packet containing information on the project and FAQ’s on coral bleaching, report forms complete with detailed instructions, and an underwater visual aid. The report form has been designed to minimize the effort needed to make observations and report on conditions, and the underwater visual aids are designed to minimize gear for the diver to carry yet be easily accessible and available when needed to help make mental notes on coral condition throughout the dive. The underwater visual aid provides a summary of the important information needed from the monitoring form such as environmental conditions as well as images to help deternine percent of bleached live coral cover and major growth types for ease of coral identification. After exiting the water, observers simply enter these and any other notable observations on the report form provided. Observers are asked to report as regularly as possible, and are made to understand that observations of no bleaching present are equally as important.

By interpreting observations of coral condition from various areas within a geographic zone of concern during potential bleaching events, additional insight can be gained toward determining natural resilience, both for habitat types, geographical location, and species of coral. This information will allow researchers to further develop the accuracy of available coral bleaching early warning products and assist resource managers to better communicate the condition of the reefs as potential bleaching events occur, as well as potentially integrating the information into existing management plans.
Purpose By interpreting observations of coral condition from various areas within a geographic zone of concern during potential bleaching events, additional insight can be gained toward determining natural resilience, both for habitat types, geographical location, and species of coral.
Use Limitations
  • accessLevel: Public
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Dieveney, Beth; Walter, Cory; Bartels, Erich (2016). Coral bleaching data from Bleachwatch in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary from 2016-05-17 to 2016-10-03 (NCEI Accession 0157068). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0157068. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
Principal Investigators
Collaborators
Contributors
Resource Providers
Publishers
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
Place keywords NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
Project keywords NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS CRCP Project Name
  • 430
  • Florida Keys BleachWatch
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Dieveney, Beth; Walter, Cory; Bartels, Erich (2016). Coral bleaching data from Bleachwatch in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary from 2016-05-17 to 2016-10-03 (NCEI Accession 0157068). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0157068. Accessed [date].
Access Constraints
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • 2016-11-29T18:44:08Z - NCEI Accession 0157068 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • thermometer
  • visual estimate
  • visual observation
Last Modified: 2024-02-21T13:36:55Z
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