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SFCN Water Temperature Monitoring Data - Biscayne National Park, Buck Island Reef National Monument, Dry Tortugas National Park, Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve, Virgin Islands National Park (1998-2011) (Protocol Data)

Published by National Park Service | Department of the Interior | Metadata Last Checked: January 07, 2026 | Last Modified: 2011-01-01T00:00:00Z
The Coral Reef Water Temperature Protocol is a guide for the deployment, maintenance, and data management of SFCN temperature loggers, integral for a more comprehensive understanding of the connection between corals and water temperature within SFCN parks. Water temperature has been historically collected as a basic environmental parameter of water quality monitoring efforts at coral reef sites throughout the world. There are numerous references in scientific literature suggesting a link between water temperature anomalies and coral colony survivorship. Reef water temperature has been found to be a key factor when trying to understand long-term coral survival. Coral bleaching occurs when the coral host loses zooxanthelae from its tissue due to physiological stress, most-often associated with high water temperatures and/or high incidence of solar radiation. Additionally, unusual cold water temperatures have been found to affect the survivorship of corals and other reef dwelling organisms. The National Park Service (NPS) and United States Geological Survey (USGS) have collected water temperature data around St. John and Virgin Islands National Park (VIIS) since 1990. These loggers are currently deployed as part of long-term coral reef monitoring program. This effort has been expanded throughout the network, with 30 long-term in-situ water temperature monitoring sites managed by SFCN in Dry Tortugas National Park (DRTO), Biscayne National Park (BISC), Buck Island Reef National Monument (BUIS) and VIIS. The database developed with this protocol is a repository for SFCN parks legacy temperature data. This protocol serves as a guide for the deployment, maintenance, and data management of the SFCN temperature loggers. Data collected under this protocol will be useful to NPS efforts outside the network such as the Climate Change Response Program to help address climate change strategies. This data also complements in situ seawater temperature data information collected by several partners throughout the Florida reef tract.

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