NCRMP_BenthicCommunityAssessment_Protocols_2022_FRC_508c.pdf

The NCRMP Benthic Community Assessment surveys are designed to provide the following data:

1. Estimates of benthic cover for ecologically important cover species or functional groups types/groups (e.g., macroalgae, turf algae, crustose coralline algae, corals, sponges, sand/sediment, etc.).

2. Estimates of topographic complexity (substratum rugosity) of the NCRMP Benthic Community Assessment within the survey area (15 x 2m).

3. Abundance of commercially and ecologically-important macroinvertebrates (i.e., Caribbean spiny lobster, Queen conch, long-spined sea urchins [Diadema antillarum]) within the survey area (15 x 2m). Abundance of healthy, diseased, and dead D. antillarum within the survey area. Presence or absence of diseased, dying, or dead D. antillarum (newly added in 2022) at the site.

4. Presence or absence of Threatened coral species within the survey area (15 x 2m) and at the site.

At each NCRMP Benthic survey site, a single Benthic Community Assessment survey is conducted. A NCRMP Benthic survey includes one Benthic Community Assessment Survey and one Coral Demographics survey (CRCP 2022a). NCRMP Benthic surveys may occur at all or a subset of NCRMP Fish surveys. Benthic surveys may be conducted concurrently with co-located NCRMP Fish surveys.

This protocol includes an overview of the field methodology, including pre-dive, site orientation, and the coral demographics survey, as well as an overview of data accessibility and use.

CRCP. 2022. National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) Benthic Community Assessment Survey Field

Protocols for U.S. Atlantic: Florida, Flower Garden Banks, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands 2022. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program. 29 pp. doi: 10.25923/0708-8333