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The Kosrae Coral Reef Monitoring Project -- Monitoring Protocols
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Measuring Enviromental Indicators Before Descent
The Kosrae Reef Monitoring Project was begun in 1996 employing a survey approach developed by the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences. In 1998 the data collection approach was changed to encompass procedures developed by Reef Check, an organization focused on involving recreational divers and marine scientists in coral reef monitoring. Modified Reef Check protocols were utilized until 2008, when they were replaced by a more rigorous and robust statistical sampling approach. In a typical monitoring session, five types of data are recorded:
Site Environment. Anecdotal, observational, historical, locational and other data are recorded on a Site Description sheet. Environmental parameters including air and surface water temperature, cloud cover, wind speed and direction are recorded. Underwater horizontal visibility is measured by a dive team using a Secchi disk.
Fish belt transect. Four 5 m wide (centered on the transect line) by 50 m long transects are sampled for fish species typically targeted by spear-fishermen, aquarium collectors and others. The fish transect is carried out first.
Invertebrate belt transect. The same four transects are sampled for invertebrate species typically targeted as food species or collected as curios.
Substrate line transect. The same four transects are digitally photographed at 1.0 m intervals using a camera stand, to record the substrate types on the reef. This data is later analyzed using statistical sampling software.
Temperature Monitoring. Temperature recording devices are recovered, downloaded, and re-installed at critical monitoring sites. These devices remain underwater and record water temperature at depth between annual monitoring sessions.