Invertebrate Abundance and Diversity Data on O’ahu
Benthic invertebrates—such as sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and various mollusks—play a vital role in maintaining the balance of coral reef ecosystems. They help control algae growth, recycle nutrients, and serve as food for many reef fish species. However, declines in invertebrate populations across Oʻahu threaten reef resilience and ecosystem function. Therefore, understanding invertebrate data on O’ahu is essential to protecting reef biodiversity.
Our invertebrate data visualizations showcase findings from surveys conducted by Ocean Alliance Project staff, interns, and community scientists. The interactive dashboard below provides real-time and historical insights into invertebrate diversity, density, and distribution across Oʻahu’s nearshore reefs.
About the Data: Monitoring Invertebrates on O‘ahu
We collect invertebrate data on O‘ahu through standardized benthic survey methods during ecological monitoring dives. Each survey includes:
- Species identification (e.g., sea urchins, sea cucumbers, starfish, nudibranchs, and octopuses)
- Abundance and density counts along fixed transects
- Habitat characteristics, including substrate composition and algal coverage
- Environmental conditions, such as depth, temperature, and visibility
All data are collected by trained divers under Ocean Alliance Project supervision. As a result, each entry is verified for accuracy and uploaded to our central monitoring database to ensure consistency and reliability.
Using the Invertebrate Data Dashboard
Explore the dashboard above to:
- View spatial trends of invertebrate abundance across sites (e.g., Maunalua Bay, Kewalo Basin, and Waikīkī)
- Analyze temporal changes, thus identifying patterns in species density and recovery
- Compare site data, thus highlighting restoration versus reference reef conditions
- Evaluate how invertebrate populations respond to environmental or seasonal changes
As more data are added, these visualizations reveal how invertebrate communities shift over time and contribute to overall reef health.
How We Use These Insights
Invertebrate data inform our understanding of reef ecosystem dynamics and restoration success. Analyzing these trends allows Ocean Alliance Project and its partners to:
- Track key indicator species that reflect reef condition
- Detect early warning signs of ecological imbalance
- Assess the success of coral restoration and reef management efforts
- Share data with local communities, researchers, and policymakers
By combining invertebrate monitoring with coral and fish surveys, we can better understand each part of the reef ecosystem, thus supporting long-term resilience.
Get Involved
You can help expand our invertebrate data on O‘ahu by:
- Joining our Ecological Monitoring Program or Citizen Science Snorkel Days
- Participating in benthic survey training to learn invertebrate identification
- Supporting reef conservation through volunteering or donations
Every observation contributes to a clearer picture of Hawaiʻi’s reef ecosystems and strengthens our collective efforts to protect them for future generations.