Discover NOAA's Coral Reef Data

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NOAA's Coral Reef Data

There are three access paths to NOAA's coral data and information. Each access path presents brief descriptions of data sets along with links to data products and full data descriptions (metadata).

Browse Data Descriptions

The browse page provides a quick overview of data available on this Web site. A list of data product types is presented along with the number of data sets of each type. Choose a product type to browse brief data product descriptions. While viewing descriptions, use the Find [Ctrl-F] function to search for specific items.

Text Search (Discovering Data Descriptions)

The CoRIS Text Search allows the user to perform general and targeted text searches of data descriptions associated with NOAA coral reef information. Search results include links to data products, publications and full data descriptions in metadata records. With the Text Search, users can search records by titles, authors, keywords, taxonomic names and more. Help is provided throughout. (Text Search will open in a separate window.)

Map Search (Viewing Maps of Available Products)

The CoRIS Map Search is a Google Maps-based application that allows the user to view an array of products within a specific area. Map Search includes numerous layers and related products, including over 4,000 aerial photos, tide stations, paleoclimatological studies, photo mosaics, coral reef monitoring, bleaching reports, and more. Using spatial tools, users can select an area, choose one or more data information topics and themes (data types), and query the resultant map. The user is then provided with a report, and direct access to specific products, data documentation (metadata), and other information. (Map Search opens in a separate window.)

Regional Data Portal

The purpose of the CoRIS Regional Data Portal is to better serve users by presenting region-specific data in a clear, concise, and integrated way. The user should be able to find a wide range of data and information from a single page, without prior knowledge of NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP). The focus of the information is specifically NOAA Coral data, activities, and information; non-CRCP activities that fall under the US Coral Reef Task Force umbrella may be included as well.

About CORIS Data

Information about coral data sets on this Web site is provided by NOAA scientists, managers and program offices in the form of metadata files. These files contain descriptions of the data, when and where data were collected, who collected the data and how to obtain a copy of the data. The Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata is the standard for metadata files in CoRIS. Data providers are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of metadata records, and data and information offerings. Data providers are identified in the metadata records and should be contacted directly with any questions about the data.

Readers are referred to "Metadata in Plain Language" for a description of the contents of metadata files

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