1. Projects in support of ESA corals PIFSC April 7, 2016 Dione Swanson, PhD Coral Reef Ecosystem Program Ecosystem Sciences Division

2. Atlantic/Caribbean (7 species) 2 listed in 2006 – Acropora palmata A. cervicornis Indo-Pacific (15 species) 7 species confirmed in U. S Pacific waters ESA listed coral species

3. Recovery: Atlantic / Caribbean and Pacific U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 3

4. Recovery: Atlantic / Caribbean and Pacific Next steps to support recovery: Address gaps in knowledge Address demographic factors Target elimination or reduction of threats Specific actions : population dynamics, distribution, abundance, trends and structure (including benthic habitats) environmental factors related to threats U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 4

5. Data foundation to support recovery actions U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 5

6. ESA corals: 5 CREP projects Benthic habitat map (2) Benthic mapping project Automated image analysis Species identification(1) Pacific ESA listed coral species ID workshop Abundance and distribution (2) Protected species toolbox: ESA coral population assessment Linking spatial patterns of Isopora with environmental drivers in American Samoa U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 6 SHORT TERM NEEDS LONG TERM NEEDS

7. ESA corals: Benthic habitat map U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 7 CREP Benthic mapping project Goal: Quantification of benthic habitat for ESA-listed corals - Regions: American Samoa, Guam and CNMI, and Pacific Remote Island Areas Components for base map : Depth contours ( potential habitat ) Hard and soft bottom substrates ( coral habitat ) Coral habitat information ( coral cover )

8. U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 8 ESA corals: benthic habitat map Integrated hard/soft Coral cover Contours

9. U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 9 ESA corals: benthic habitat map Integrated hard/soft Coral cover Contours Automated Image Analysis Project Coral.Net

10. ESA corals: Species identification U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 10 Indo-Pacific ESA-listed coral identification workshop I. crateriformis* A. retusa * A. gemmifera I. cuneata

11. ESA corals: Abundance and distribution Protected Species Toolbox: A tool to assess the population status of ESA coral species in U.S. waters Goal: To effectively assess and provide information to managers about the status of threatened coral populations Project components: Predictive species distribution model (NCCOS) Population assessment (PIFSC-CREP) Connectivity and recruitment model (SEFSC) Spatial demographic model (PIFSC-CREP) U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 11

12. Protected Species Toolbox: Population assessment South Florida Focal species Assessment NCRMP StRS data Habitat Use Analysis Performance evaluation U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 12

13. Sampling strata Species –specific habitat strata Post-stratification: Habitat use

14. Montipora capitata: Adult Habitat Use

15. positive neutral negative Habitat use Juveniles Abundance40,738,247.6 Density0.185 (0.04) Adults Abundance52,677,565.2 Density0.765 (0.09) Disease prevalence (%)0.00 Population Assessment Map Tool

16. Protected Species Toolbox Flower Garden Banks, Puerto Rico, & US Virgin Islands Focal species: all listed Assessment NCRMP StRS data Survey design estimates Performance evaluation U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 16

17. ESA corals: Abundance and distribution Isopora project: American Samoa Goals and objectives: support improved assessment ESA-listed coral species Assessment of Isopora spp. Habitat use Link environmental covariates Performance evaluation U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 17

18. ESA corals: Success and challenges Successes: Use of existing data sets and information to support recovery actions - Address federal and jurisdictional needs Collaboration and partnerships Challenges : Integration of various data sets Acquisition of existing data U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 18