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Coral bleaching data from Bleachwatch in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary from 2019-03-30 to 2019-10-15 (NCEI Accession 0213521)

Published by NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce | Metadata Last Checked: January 29, 2026 | Last Modified: 2020-07-30T00:00:00.000+00:00
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 FAQs 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.

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0213521 AIR TEMPERATURE biological data cloud amount/frequency CORAL - BLEACHING DEPTH - OBSERVATION HABITAT - BENTHIC SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE WATER TEMPERATURE WIND SPEED thermometer visual estimate visual observation biological in situ Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) CORAL REEF STUDIES Coastal Waters of Florida Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Gulf of Mexico North Atlantic Ocean oceanography DOC/NOAA/NOS/NMS > National Marine Sanctuaries, National Ocean Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce 430 Florida Keys Bleach Watch Documents > Coral Bleaching Report EARTH SCIENCE > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Air Temperature EARTH SCIENCE > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Coral Diseases > Bleaching EARTH SCIENCE > Oceans > Ocean Temperature > Water Temperature EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC WINDS > SURFACE WINDS > WIND SPEED EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > CLOUDS > CLOUD PROPERTIES > CLOUD FREQUENCY EARTH SCIENCE > BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION EARTH SCIENCE > BIOSPHERE > ECOSYSTEMS > MARINE ECOSYSTEMS > BENTHIC EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > COASTAL PROCESSES > CORAL REEFS > CORAL BLEACHING EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN TEMPERATURE > SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN TEMPERATURE > WATER TEMPERATURE THERMOMETERS > THERMOMETERS VISUAL OBSERVATIONS > VISUAL OBSERVATIONS COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Florida > Monroe County > Florida Keys (24N081W0007) OCEAN BASIN > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Florida Reef Tract > Florida Keys (24N081W0007) OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > GULF OF AMERICA OCEAN > ATLANTIC OCEAN > NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN > GULF OF MEXICO

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