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The Kosrae Coral Reef Monitoring Project -- Monitoring Protocols
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Measuring Enviromental Indicators Before Descent
Reef Check is the largest international coral reef monitoring program involving recreational divers and marine scientists. In 1997, Reef Check teams completed the first global survey of coral reefs. Over 750 volunteer sport divers were trained and led by 100 volunteer scientists in surveys of more than 300 reefs in 31 countries. The results of Reef Check 97 provided the first solid evidence that coral reefs have been damaged on a global scale. Reef Check 98 covered 40 countries and documented an unprecedented global bleaching and mortality event. Each subsequent year, Reef Check has grown, and the value of the global database has increased. The results have been published in technical reports and scientific journals and have been used to help formulate government policies. In addition to producing valuable scientific results, Reef Check 97 raised the awareness of scientists, governments, politicians and the general public about the value of coral reefs, threats to their health and solutions to coral reef problems. The Kosrae Reef Monitoring Project follows a modified ReefCheck protocol. In a typcial monitoring session, four types of data are recorded:
Site description. Anecdotal, observational, historical, locational and other data are recorded on a Site Description sheet. These data are extremely important when we interpret global correlations in the dataset.
Fish belt transect. Four 5 m wide (centered on the transect line) by 20 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 point sampled at 0.5 m intervals to determine the substrate types on the reef.