JSON RDF ISO19115-3 XML

Sponge species distribution and biomass surveys of Caribbean Reefs

Created 24/06/2017

Updated 09/10/2017

JSON RDF ISO19115-3 XML

Sponge species distribution and biomass was investigated in Caribbean and western Atlantic reefs in 7 countries (Belize, Jamaica, USA (Florida), Bahamas, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and Barbados).

The reefs of Belize were intensively surveyed. Surveys were conducted at 5, 10, 15 and 20 m on the seaward facing slopes of Wee Wee Cay, South Water Cay and Glovers Reef. Triplicate 20 m x 2 m transects were surveyed along the depth profile at each depth. All sponges, except boring, thin encrusting and cryptic species were collected, identified to species where possible and weighed. Surveys at Wee Wee Cay at 10 and 15 m were limited to 8 m² because of the large number and volume of sponges. Any additional species that occurred in the remaining 32 m² were recorded. Very large specimens of Xestospongia muta were not collected, but the weights were estimated by calculating the volume from linear measurements and using a weight/volume correction factor calculated from smaller specimens or parts of larger animals which were weighed. Such estimates were made conservatively, erring on the side of underestimation.

Similar surveys were carried out in Jamaica (Discovery Bay), USA (Key Largo - French Reef), Bahamas (Exuma Cays - Lee Stocking Island), Puerto Rico (Cayo Enrique, Media Luna), US Virgin Islands (Saint Croix - Buck Island, Tague Bay, Salt River Canyon) and Barbados (West). Triplicate transects were surveyed at depths of 10 m and 20 m at most locations. Transects were variable in size, ranging from 3 m x 2 m to 30 m x 2 m.

Files and APIs

Tags

Additional Info

Field Value
Title Sponge species distribution and biomass surveys of Caribbean Reefs
Language English
Licence Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia
Landing Page https://devweb.dga.links.com.au/data/dataset/aff9dbde-34e7-48a8-8685-57c67b6cd614
Contact Point
Australian Institute of Marine Science
adc@aims.gov.au
Geospatial Coverage {"type": "Point", "coordinates": [-88.076944, 16.8125]}
Data Portal data.gov.au

Data Source

This dataset was originally found on data.gov.au "Sponge species distribution and biomass surveys of Caribbean Reefs". Please visit the source to access the original metadata of the dataset:
https://devweb.dga.links.com.au/data/dataset/sponge-species-distribution-and-biomass-surveys-of-caribbean-reefs