Coral bleaching data from BleachWatch in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary from 2023-06-01 to 2023-11-02 (NCEI Accession 0289530)

As the occurrence and severity of coral bleaching has increased in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) since the 1980s, 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 determine 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.

自20世纪80年代以来，佛罗里达礁岛群国家海洋保护区（Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, FKNMS）内珊瑚白化的发生频次与严重程度均呈上升趋势，为此美国国家海洋和大气管理局（National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA）及其他科研人员开发了遥感产品与环境监测站网络，以期更精准地预测佛罗里达礁岛群的珊瑚白化事件。不过，尽管遥感与原位（in-situ）数据采集能够指示环境条件何时适宜珊瑚白化发生，但白化的实际进程往往是渐进式的，且其影响在佛罗里达礁岛群这样广袤的区域内存在显著异质性。为精准评估白化事件的初始影响，并监测白化事件发生期间及过后的珊瑚健康状态，佛罗里达礁岛群白化观察计划（Florida Keys BleachWatch）组建了一支由经过专业培训的观测人员构成的大型网络，定期提交礁体实际珊瑚健康状况的观测报告。每位BleachWatch观测员都会收到一套资料包，内含项目介绍与珊瑚白化常见问题解答、附详细操作指南的报告表格，以及水下视觉辅助工具。报告表格的设计旨在简化观测流程与信息上报工作量，而水下视觉辅助工具则在减少潜水员携带装备总量的同时，确保其在潜水全程可随时取用，便于记录珊瑚的健康状态。该水下视觉辅助工具汇总了监测表格所需的核心信息（如环境条件），并配有参考图像，可辅助估算白化活珊瑚的覆盖占比，同时便于识别珊瑚的主要生长类型以快速完成物种鉴定。潜水出水后，观测人员仅需将上述信息及其他显著观测结果填入指定报告表格即可。项目要求观测人员尽可能定期开展上报工作，并明确告知观测人员未发现白化现象的记录同样具备重要价值。通过对潜在白化事件期间目标地理区域内不同点位的珊瑚健康观测数据进行整合分析，科研人员可进一步厘清不同生境类型、地理位置与珊瑚物种的自然恢复力机制。此类数据将助力研究人员进一步提升现有珊瑚白化早期预警产品的预测精度，同时协助资源管理者在潜在白化事件发生时更高效地传递礁体健康状况，并可将相关信息整合至现有海洋资源管理规划当中。

搜集汇总

背景与挑战

背景概述

该数据集记录了2023年6月至11月期间佛罗里达群岛国家海洋保护区的珊瑚白化观测数据，通过BleachWatch项目由训练有素的潜水观察员收集，旨在实时监测珊瑚状况以补充遥感预警系统。数据集包含珊瑚白化百分比、海面温度、风速等多环境参数，采用现场观测方法，为珊瑚礁保护和研究提供关键实地信息。