These data represent the individual octocoral genera, height, and density that compose octocoral forests in in Lameshur Bay St. John U.S. Virgin Islands. These data were used in conjunction with invertebrate abundance data to test for an association between octocoral forest parameters and benthic invertebrate community composition. Surveys of octocoral forests were conducted on SCUBA during July – August of 2019 and in January of 2020 quadrats (1 m2) placed at ≤ 13-m depth. These data were c...
Show moreLocation: Lameshur Bay St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands at depth ≤ 13 m. Research conducted from the University of the Virgin Islands Marine Station in Lameshure Bay during July – August 2019 and January 2020.
Methods:
Quadrats were randomly placed along 20 m, non-overlapping transects that were positioned haphazardly along fringing reefs. Organisms were identified to genera in situ. Octocorals were counted and measured when their holdfast was present in a quadrat. Octocoral height was measured from the holdfast to most distal branch perpendicular to benthos.
Instruments:
PVC Quadrats (1 m2)
Transect tapes
Measuring ribbons with mm graduations
Girard, J., Edmunds, P. J. (2023) Octocoral height, density, and genera from in situ observations within octocoral forests in Lameshur Bay St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands from July 2019 to Jan 2020. Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO). (Version 1) Version Date 2023-03-21 [if applicable, indicate subset used]. doi:10.26008/1912/bco-dmo.892265.1 [access date]
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