Dataset: LTVR - Physical Characteristics

Name: Physical characteristics of long-term vermetid removal reefs in Moorea, French Polynesia from 2012-2016
Published: 2017-12-20
Keywords: oceans

Cite This Dataset

Spatial Extent: N:-17.47499 E:-149.79251 S:-17.47499 W:-149.79251

Temporal Extent: 2012-01-23 - 2016-08-06

Project:

Spatial patterns of coral-vermetid interactions: short-term effects and long-term consequences (Vermetids_Corals)

Principal Investigator:

Craig Osenberg (University of Georgia, UGA)

Co-Principal Investigator:

Thomas Frazer (University of Florida, UF)

International Collaborator:

Jeffrey Shima (Victoria University of Wellington)

Contact:

Craig Osenberg (University of Georgia, UGA)

BCO-DMO Data Manager:

Stephen R. Gegg (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, WHOI BCO-DMO)

Amber D. York (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, WHOI BCO-DMO)

Version:

Version Date:

2017-12-20

Restricted:

Validated:

Yes

Current State:

Final no updates expected

Physical characteristics of long-term vermetid removal reefs in Moorea, French Polynesia from 2012-2016

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Description

Reef morphological dimensions (physical characteristics) were measured specifically for the long term vermetid removal reefs (129-144 and 193-198) beginning in January of 2012. Physical characteristic surveys are meant to characterize the size dimensions of each reef. We ultimately hope to use these data to inform how vermetids influence reef size and shape and benthic composition.

Long Term Vermetid Removal (LTVR) Reef sites in this project are manipulated reefs characterized in the Long Term Reef Physical Characteristics dataset.

Reefs labeled "TOW" in this dataset, numbered 129-144, are a subset of a larger number of Long Term Reefs (LTR) that were monitored as part of the project "Cryptic density dependence: the effects of spatial, ontogenetic, and individual variation in reef fish" beginning in 2003. This long term study continues to monitor those reefs in addition to reefs 193-198 starting in 2012. Data for these reefs between the years 2003 and 2009 can be found on the project site http://www.bco-dmo.org/project/540423.

Location: Moorea, French Polynesia (17.48 degrees S, 149.82 degrees W)

Other associated LTVR datasets:
LTVR - Fate of Reefs - Contains latitude and longitude of reefs used in this dataset
LTVR - Fish Survey
LTVR - Percent Cover Point Contact
LTVR - Percent Visual Cover
LTVR - Pomacentrids
LTVR - Thalasssoma
LTVR - Vermetid Counts
LTVR - Vermetid Removal
LTVR - Vermetid Sizes in Quadrat

Methods & Sampling

Sampling and Analytical Methodology:
Data were collected in 2012 for all reefs that are monitored. A diver swims up to one of the reefs. Using a transect tape, the diver determines the maximum length and perpendicular width. Three height measurements are taken: typical height, max height and water column depth. Using a transect tape, the diver determines the maximum length and perpendicular width. Three height measurements are taken. After 2003, measurements were made by dropping a weighted transect tape from the water surface to an average high point on the reef (typical height), to the highest point on a reef (max height), and to the seafloor (H20 max height). The percent cover and direction of the nearest neighbor reefs were also measured during certain years. These “Nearest Neighbor (NN)” estimates are conducted by visually estimating the percent area within 2 meters of the edge of the sampled reef that is comprised of hard/other substrate (in other words, it is the percent hard/other substrate cover surrounding the sampled reef within a 2 meter radius).

Materials: Transect tape

Data Processing Description

Data Processing:
“NNAVGEST” was calculated as the average of each observer’s estimate (NNJEST, NNCWOEST, NNJSWETS, NNTAEST). When only one observer who was not originally listed in a column heading (i.e., JS, CWO, JSW, TA) made observations, data was recorded directly into the NNAVGEST column.

NA- Not applicable (never recorded) to this data set
NR- Not recorded at certain times throughout the data set

BCO-DMO Processing Notes
- Generated from original file "LTVR_PhysicalCharacteristics.csv" contributed by Rebecca Atkins
- Parameter names edited to conform to BCO-DMO naming convention found at Choosing Parameter Name
- Any blank rows removed

Data version 2: 2017-12-20 replaces data version 1: 2016-05-23

BCO-DMO Data Manager Processing Notes for version 2017-12-20:
* Added a conventional header with dataset name, PI name, version date
* Modified parameter names to conform with BCO-DMO naming conventions
* added name "COMMENT" to un-named column with a comment in it.
* NA values changed to "nd" for "no data"
* NR values unchanged. NR indicates "not recorded" at certain times throughout the data set

Data Files

File
LTVR_PhysicalCharacteristics.csv (Comma Separated Values (.csv), 6.55 KB) MD5:50a7dff8651477609d6d58a2a74c0968 Primary data file for dataset ID 645827

More Information about this dataset

Funding Sources

Funding Source	Award Number
NSF Division of Ocean Sciences	OCE-1130359

Deployments

Deployment	Synonyms	Start Date	Platform	Investigator
Osenberg_et_al_Moorea		2003-05-19	Osenberg et al Moorea	Craig Osenberg (Principal Investigator)	data info

Instruments

Diving Mask and Snorkel

Supplied Name: Mask and snorkel

Supplied Description:

Instrument Type

Generic Name: Diving Mask and Snorkel

Generic Description:

A diving mask (also half mask, dive mask or scuba mask) is an item of diving equipment that allows underwater divers, including, scuba divers, free-divers, and snorkelers to see clearly underwater.

Snorkel: A breathing apparatus for swimmers and surface divers that allows swimming or continuous use of a face mask without lifting the head to breathe, consisting of a tube that curves out of the mouth and extends above the surface of the water.

Measuring Tape

Supplied Name: Transect Tape

Supplied Description:

Materials: transect tape and slates

Instrument Type

Generic Name: Measuring Tape

Generic Description:

A tape measure or measuring tape is a flexible ruler. It consists of a ribbon of cloth, plastic, fibre glass, or metal strip with linear-measurement markings. It is a common tool for measuring distance or length.

Underwater Writing Slate

Supplied Name: Slate

Supplied Description:

Materials: transect tape and slates

Instrument Type

Generic Name: Underwater Writing Slate

Generic Description:

Underwater writing slates and pencils are used to transport pre-dive plans underwater, to record facts whilst underwater and to aid communication with other divers.

Parameters

Date and time formats are described in python strftime() syntax.

Supplied Name	Supplied description	Supplied Units	Standard Name
DATE	Date Data Collected (2003-2005)	DD-MMM-YYYY	date
OBSERV	Name of observer (AS-Amanda Strong; TF-Tom Frazer; JS-Jeff Shima)	text	person
SITE	Name of site	text	site
REEF_let	Letter corresponding to reef ID	text	site
REEF_NUMBER	Number corresponding to reef ID (129-144; 193-198)	dimensionless	site
TREATMENT	Treatment type (Control; Removal)	text	treatment
COMPON	Component of the reef (individual bommies all joined to form a larger patch reef)	text	site
LENGTH	Max Length	meters	length
WIDTH	Perpendicular Width	meters	width
THEIGHT	Typical height of reef	meters	no_bcodmo_term
MHEIGHT	Maximum Height	meters	no_bcodmo_term
H20MHEIG	Water depth to maximum height	meters	no_bcodmo_term
NNAVGEST	Average of Nearest Neighbor Estimate (% cover of “donut” from reef edge out 2 meters)	percentage	no_bcodmo_term
NNJSEST	Jeff Shima’s estimate of Nearest Neighbor Cover; 0-100 or NA (= did not estimate)	number of individuals	number
NNCWOEST	Craig Osenberg’s estimate of Nearest Neighbor Cover; 0-100 or NA (= did not estimate)	number of individuals	number
NNJSWEST	Jada White’s estimates of Nearest Neighbor Cover; 0-100 or NA (= did not estimate)	number of individuals	number
NNTAEST	Tom Adam’s estimate of Nearest Neighbor Cover; 0-100 or NA (= did not estimate)	number of individuals	number

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Dataset: LTVR - Physical Characteristics