Experimental Coral-Growth Data and Time-Series Imagery for Acropora palmata and Pseudodiploria strigosa in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

The U.S. Geological Survey Coral Reef Ecosystems Studies project (CREST) provides science that helps Department of Interior and other resource managers tasked with the stewardship of coral reef resources. This data release contains data on coral-growth rates and time-series photographs taken of colonies of the elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata, and the symmetrical brain coral, Pseudodiploria strigosa, grown at three sites at Buck Island Reef National Monument from June 2019 to August 2021. The data will be used to inform resource managers of the capacity for restoration and growth of these habitat-forming species of coral within National Park (and Virgin Islands territory) waters.