The overall objectives of this project are to document the dynamics of the remaining Elkhorn populations in the upper Florida Keys and to compare its performance to other Caribbean locations. This is an on-going monitoring project with thrice yearly surveys in the upper Florida Keys and annual surveys in Curaao and only episodic surveys in Navassa (2006, 2009, 2012). Study units are 150 m2 plots in which all attached Acropora palmata colonies are mapped and surveyed each year. In Florida, individually tagged A. palmata colonies are surveyed more frequently to document their condition. Based on these observations, we can estimate basic population parameters including recruitment, growth and mortality, along with the causes of recent tissue mortality and the sources of recruitment (asexual or sexual). All monitored colonies are genotyped such that clones within the population are identified.

To quantify demographic rates (recruitment and mortality) and sources of mortality in remnant populations of Acropora palmata in the upper Florida Keys, Navassa Island, and reference populations in Curacao

Several prior publications on this data: 1) Williams DE, Miller MW (2012) Attributing mortality among drivers of population decline in Acropora palmata in the Florida Keys (USA). Coral Reefs 31:369-382 2) Williams DE, Miller MW, Kramer KL (2008) Recruitm

Cite as: Williams, Dana E.; Miller, Margaret W. (2016). Elkhorn coral demographic monitoring from 2004-03-30 to 2024-08-15 (NCEI Accession 0142175). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0142175.

NCEI Archive

Acropora monitoring plots in Curacao

Navassa Island Acropora monitoring plots

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Data set is not for use in litigation. While efforts have been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages or misrepresentations caused by inaccuracies in these data, or as a result of these data being used on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does distribution constitute any such warranty

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Data are checked for consistency after entry into the database. Photographs are taken and archived to verify/validate recorded attributes of each colony

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The data resides on a secure government network requiring multi-factor authentication for network access.

Data is recorded on data sheets in the field, then entered into ACCESS database.