Description of Coral Reefs:
Coral reefs are some of the most diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. Though they cover less than 1 percent of the Earth’s surface, they are estimated to provide economic and environmental services worth hundreds of billions of dollars each year. Healthy reefs contribute to local economies through tourism i.e. sportfishing, snorkeling, and diving, and in developing countries contribute about one-quarter of the total fish catch, providing critical food resources for tens of millions of people.
Data:
The coral reef ecosystem scores shown here were analyzed using data from the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). NCRMP collects data in all U.S. coral reef regions in four themes: benthic (corals and algae), reef fish, climate (ocean acidification and thermal stress), and human connections (socioeconomic surveys). The scores you see for each region are composite scores from all four themes assessed together and rolled into one overall score. Source: Status Report Scoring Methodology for Pacific Jurisdictions and 2020 Status Report Scoring Methodology for Atlantic Jurisdictions
Hawaii - Main Hawaiian Islands
Description of gauge:
The Main Hawaiian islands score a 71, meaning they are ranked fair with some indicators meeting reference values.
Description of Hawaiian Archipelago:
The Hawaiian Archipelago includes the state of Hawai‘i and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The archipelago consists of volcanic islands, atolls, and seamounts that stretch over 1500 miles from southeast to northwest. The National Coral Reef Monitoring Program status report, has two main regions, the Main Hawaiian Islands (the State of Hawai‘i) and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The Main Hawaiian Islands were further sub-divided into four regions based on geographic location and data availability. The four regions are O‘ahu, Hawai‘i, Maui Nui, and Kaua‘i/Ni‘ihau.
How Coral Reef indicator data are compiled and scored:
The coral reef ecosystem scores shown here were analyzed using data from the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). NCRMP collects data in all U.S. coral reef regions in four themes: benthic (corals and algae), reef fish, climate (ocean acidification and thermal stress), and human connections (socioeconomic surveys). The scores you see for each region are composite scores from all four themes assessed together and rolled into one overall score.
Overall scores mean the following:
90-100% Very good: All or almost all indicators meet reference values.
80-89% Good: Most indicators meet reference values.
70-79% Fair: Some indicators meet reference values.
60-69% Impaired: Few indicators meet reference values.
0-59% Critical: Very few or no indicators meet reference values.
Scores in the Pacific coral reef gauges were released in 2018, and largely used data from 2012-2016 to determine the scores.
Source: Status Report Scoring Methodology for Pacific Jurisdictions
Hawaii - Northwest Hawaiian Islands
Description of gauge:
The Northwestern Hawaiian islands score a 76, meaning they are ranked fair with some indicators meeting reference values.
Description of Hawaiian Archipelago:
The Hawaiian Archipelago includes the state of Hawai‘i and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The archipelago consists of volcanic islands, atolls, and seamounts that stretch over 1500 miles from southeast to northwest. For the status report, there are two main regions, the Main Hawaiian Islands (the State of Hawai‘i) and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
How Coral Reef indicator data are compiled and scored:
The coral reef ecosystem scores shown here were analyzed using data from the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). NCRMP collects data in all U.S. coral reef regions in four themes: benthic (corals and algae), reef fish, climate (ocean acidification and thermal stress), and human connections (socioeconomic surveys). The scores you see for each region are composite scores from all four themes assessed together and rolled into one overall score.
Overall scores mean the following:
90-100% Very good: All or almost all indicators meet reference values.
80-89% Good: Most indicators meet reference values.
70-79% Fair: Some indicators meet reference values.
60-69% Impaired: Few indicators meet reference values.
0-59% Critical: Very few or no indicators meet reference values.
Source: Status Report Scoring Methodology for Pacific Jurisdictions
American Samoa
Description of gauge:
American Samoa coral reefs score 80, meaning they are ranked Good with most indicators meeting reference values.
Description of American Samoa:
American Samoa is an unincorporated United States Territory in the South Pacific. The Territory consists of five volcanic islands and two atolls, all of which are surrounded by fringing coral reefs. American Samoa was divided into six regions based on geographic location and data availability. The six regions are North Tutuila, South Tutuila, Ta‘u, Swains Island, Ofu/Olosega, and Muliava/Rose Atoll.
How Coral Reef indicator data are compiled and scored:
The coral reef ecosystem scores shown here were analyzed using data from the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). NCRMP collects data in all U.S. coral reef regions in four themes: benthic (corals and algae), reef fish, climate (ocean acidification and thermal stress), and human connections (socioeconomic surveys). The scores you see for each region are composite scores from all four themes assessed together and rolled into one overall score.
Overall scores mean the following:
90-100% Very good: All or almost all indicators meet reference values.
80-89% Good: Most indicators meet reference values.
70-79% Fair: Some indicators meet reference values.
60-69% Impaired: Few indicators meet reference values.
0-59% Critical: Very few or no indicators meet reference values.
Source: Status Report Scoring Methodology for Pacific Jurisdictions
Guam
Description of gauge:
The Guam coral reefs score a 71, meaning they are ranked fair with some indicators meeting reference values.
Description of Guam:
The Guam Status report combines data from hardbottom forereef areas above 30 meters from Western Guam, Eastern Guam, and marine protected areas of Guam.
How Coral Reef indicator data are compiled and scored:
The coral reef ecosystem scores shown here were analyzed using data from the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). NCRMP collects data in all U.S. coral reef regions in four themes: benthic (corals and algae), reef fish, climate (ocean acidification and thermal stress), and human connections (socioeconomic surveys). The scores you see for each region are composite scores from all four themes assessed together and rolled into one overall score.
Overall scores mean the following:
90-100% Very good: All or almost all indicators meet reference values.
80-89% Good: Most indicators meet reference values.
70-79% Fair: Some indicators meet reference values.
60-69% Impaired: Few indicators meet reference values.
0-59% Critical: Very few or no indicators meet reference values.
Source: Status Report Scoring Methodology for Pacific Jurisdictions
Northern Mariana Islands
Description of gauge:
So the Mariana Island coral reefs score a 78, meaning they are ranked fair with some indicators meeting reference values.
Decription of Northern Mariana Islands:
Located just north of Guam in the Western Pacific, the Northern Mariana Islands is a three-hundred-mile archipelago consisting of 14 islands. Data for the Northern Mariana Islands Status report were from four sub-regions: Saipan/Tinian/Aguijan, Northern Islands, Rota, and National Monument.
How Coral Reef indicator data are compiled and scored:
The coral reef ecosystem scores shown here were analyzed using data from the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). NCRMP collects data in all U.S. coral reef regions in four themes: benthic (corals and algae), reef fish, climate (ocean acidification and thermal stress), and human connections (socioeconomic surveys). The scores you see for each region are composite scores from all four themes assessed together and rolled into one overall score.
Overall scores mean the following:
90-100% Very good: All or almost all indicators meet reference values.
80-89% Good: Most indicators meet reference values.
70-79% Fair: Some indicators meet reference values.
60-69% Impaired: Few indicators meet reference values.
0-59% Critical: Very few or no indicators meet reference values.
Source: Status Report Scoring Methodology for Pacific Jurisdictions
Pacific Remote Islands
Description of gauge:
So the Pacific Remote Island coral reefs score a 82, meaning they are ranked good with most indicators meeting reference values.
Description of Pacific Remote Islands:
The Pacific Remote Islands Status report combines data from hardbottom forereef above 30 meters depth from Johnston, Kingman Palmyra, Howland Baker, Jarvis, and Wake.
How coral reef indicator data are compiled and scored:
The coral reef ecosystem scores shown here were analyzed using data from the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). NCRMP collects data in all U.S. coral reef regions in four themes: benthic (corals and algae), reef fish, climate (ocean acidification and thermal stress), and human connections (socioeconomic surveys). The scores you see for each region are composite scores from all four themes assessed together and rolled into one overall score.
Overall scores mean the following:
90-100% Very good: All or almost all indicators meet reference values.
80-89% Good: Most indicators meet reference values.
70-79% Fair: Some indicators meet reference values.
60-69% Impaired: Few indicators meet reference values.
0-59% Critical: Very few or no indicators meet reference values.
Source: Status Report Scoring Methodology for Pacific Jurisdictions
Gulf of Mexico - Flower Garden Banks
Description of gauge:
The Flower Garden Banks coral reefs score 89, meaning most indicators meet reference values.
Description of Gulf of Mexico Flower Garden Banks:
The East and West Flower Garden Banks are submerged topographic features off the shores of Texas and Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico. Rising from over 150 m depth to 17 m below the sea surface, they harbor relatively deep coral reef ecosystems. They were first discovered in the early 1900s and designated as part of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary in 1992. Flower Garden Banks combines data collected from both East and West Flower Garden Banks into a single report. The total coral reef hardbottom habitat less than 30 meters in depth that was monitored for Flower Garden Banks is 0.898 square kilometers.
How coral reef indicator data are compiled and scored:
The coral reef ecosystem scores shown here were analyzed using data from the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). NCRMP collects data in all U.S. coral reef regions in four themes: benthic (corals and algae), reef fish, climate (ocean acidification and thermal stress), and human connections (socioeconomic surveys). The scores you see for each region are composite scores from all four themes assessed together and rolled into one overall score.
Overall scores mean the following:
90-100% Very good: All or almost all indicators meet reference values.
80-89% Good: Most indicators meet reference values.
70-79% Fair: Some indicators meet reference values.
60-69% Impaired: Few indicators meet reference values.
0-59% Critical: Very few or no indicators meet reference values.
Source: 2020 Status Report Scoring Methodology for Atlantic Jurisdictions
Florida
Description of gauge:
So the Florida coral reefs score 69, meaning they score Impaired and few indicators meet reference values.
Description of Florida coral reefs:
Florida’s coral reef extends from Martin County on the Atlantic Coast of Florida through the Keys to the Dry Tortugas in the Gulf of Mexico. Florida’s coral reef is the only coral reef found along the coast of the continental United States. It was divided into three sub-regions to evaluate condition. The three regions are Southeast Florida, Florida Keys, and Dry Tortugas.
How coral reef indicator data are compiled and scored:
The coral reef ecosystem scores shown here were analyzed using data from the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). NCRMP collects data in all U.S. coral reef regions in four themes: benthic (corals and algae), reef fish, climate (ocean acidification and thermal stress), and human connections (socioeconomic surveys). The scores you see for each region are composite scores from all four themes assessed together and rolled into one overall score.
Overall scores mean the following:
90-100% Very good: All or almost all indicators meet reference values.
80-89% Good: Most indicators meet reference values.
70-79% Fair: Some indicators meet reference values.
60-69% Impaired: Few indicators meet reference values.
0-59% Critical: Very few or no indicators meet reference values.
Source: 2020 Status Report Scoring Methodology for Atlantic Jurisdictions
Puerto Rico
Description of gauge:
So the Puerto Rico coral reefs score 70, meaning they rank Fair and some indicators meet reference values.
Description of Puerto Rico coral reefs:
Puerto Rico is a volcanic island in the Greater Antilles located in the north central Caribbean between the U.S. Virgin Islands to the east and the island of Hispaniola to the west. In addition to the main island, the islands of Mona, Monito, Desecheo, Caja de Muertos, Vieques, and Culebra make up the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico was not divided into sub-regions. The total coral reef hardbottom habitat less than 30 meters in depth that was monitored is 994.5 square kilometers.
How coral reef indicator data are compiled and scored:
The coral reef ecosystem scores shown here were analyzed using data from the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). NCRMP collects data in all U.S. coral reef regions in four themes: benthic (corals and algae), reef fish, climate (ocean acidification and thermal stress), and human connections (socioeconomic surveys). The scores you see for each region are composite scores from all four themes assessed together and rolled into one overall score.
Overall scores mean the following:
90-100% Very good: All or almost all indicators meet reference values.
80-89% Good: Most indicators meet reference values.
70-79% Fair: Some indicators meet reference values.
60-69% Impaired: Few indicators meet reference values.
0-59% Critical: Very few or no indicators meet reference values.
Source: 2020 Status Report Scoring Methodology for Atlantic Jurisdictions
US Virgin Islands
Description of gauge:
The US Virgin Islands coral reefs score 71, meaning they rank Good so most indicators meet reference values.
Description of the US Virgin Islands coral reefs:
The Virgin Islands of the United States are an unincorporated Territory located southeast of Florida between the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. The Territory consists of three major islands and many smaller islands, all surrounded by fringing coral reefs. The U.S. Virgin Islands were divided into two subregions to evaluate condition. The two regions are St. Thomas/St. John and St. Croix.
How coral reef indicator data are compiled and scored:
The coral reef ecosystem scores shown here were analyzed using data from the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). NCRMP collects data in all U.S. coral reef regions in four themes: benthic (corals and algae), reef fish, climate (ocean acidification and thermal stress), and human connections (socioeconomic surveys). The scores you see for each region are composite scores from all four themes assessed together and rolled into one overall score.
Overall scores mean the following:
90-100% Very good: All or almost all indicators meet reference values.
80-89% Good: Most indicators meet reference values.
70-79% Fair: Some indicators meet reference values.
60-69% Impaired: Few indicators meet reference values.
0-59% Critical: Very few or no indicators meet reference values.
Source: 2020 Status Report Scoring Methodology for Atlantic Jurisdictions
NOAA's National Coral Reef Monitoring Program
The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program established an integrated and focused monitoring effort with partners across the U.S.—the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP).
National Coral Reef Monitoring Program - Status Reports
NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) supports the National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP) throughout the U.S. Pacific, Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean coral reef areas. This program is a strategic framework for conducting sustained observations of biological, climatic, and socioeconomic indicators in U.S. states and territories. The resulting data provide a robust picture of the condition of U.S. coral reef ecosystems and the communities connected to them.
A key component of this program is a periodic, national-level assessment on the status and trends of U.S. coral reef areas.
Coral Reef Watch Satellite Monitoring and Modeled Outlooks
For more than 20 years, NOAA Coral Reef Watch (CRW) has been using remote sensing, modeled, and in situ data to operate a decision support system (DSS) to help resource managers (our target audience), researchers, decision makers, and other stakeholders around the world prepare for and respond to coral reef ecosystem stressors, predominantly resulting from climate change and warming of the Earth's oceans.
Offering the world's only global early-warning system of coral reef ecosystem physical environmental changes, CRW remotely monitors conditions that can cause coral bleaching, disease, and death; delivers information and early warnings in near real-time to our user community; and uses operational climate forecasts to provide outlooks of stressful environmental conditions at targeted reef locations worldwide. CRW products are primarily sea surface temperature (SST)-based but also incorporate light and ocean color, among other variables.