CRCP Changes in growth, vitality, and habitat value of Acropora cervicornis in the US Caribbean

The project was planned to document the habitat value of Acropora cervicornis, staghorn coral, colonies or stands/thickets as they changed in configuration through growth and disturbance. Research addressed environmental condition and productivity of A. cervicornis by investigating variations over time in health, vitality, and growth and use as habitat for reef fishes, including disturbances by human or natural events.

Data are intended to elucidate the relationship between colony configuration and fish assemblages to foster understanding of ecological services provided by the branching coral and guide manager's decisions and restoration activities. Data include 1) reef fish assemblage measures (i.e., abundance, individual sizes, and identification to the lowest taxonomic level possible) and 2) colony measures of size, coverage, growth, mortality, and indications of stress (e.g., presence of disease or predation).

General_Taxonomic_Coverage: Identified to species or the lowest practicable taxa.

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Kingdom

Taxon_Rank_Value: Animalia

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Phylum

Taxon_Rank_Value: Cnidaria

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Class

Taxon_Rank_Value: Anthozoa

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Order

Taxon_Rank_Value: Scleractinia

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Family

Taxon_Rank_Value: Acroporidae

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus

Taxon_Rank_Value: Acropora

Taxonomic_Classification:

Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus and Species

Taxon_Rank_Value: Acropora cervicornis

Applicable_Common_Name: staghorn coral

While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.

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The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Galveston Laboratory Fishery Ecology Branch compiled this data set in order to develop a scientific basis for understanding coral reef ecosystem dynamics and for refining essential fish habitat designation for future amendments to fishery management plans. NMFS is not responsible for any uses of these data sets beyond those for which they were intended, and NMFS makes no claims regarding the accuracy of any data provided by agencies or individuals outside NMFS. NMFS does not approve, recommend, or endorse any proprietary product or proprietary material mentioned in these files. Dataset credit requested and NMFS would appreciate recognition as the resource from which these data were obtained in any publications and/or other representations of these data.

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