Journal article
Establishing the ecological basis for conservation of shallow marine life using Reef Life Survey
Biological Conservation, Vol.252, 108855
2020
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Abstract
Reef Life Survey (RLS) provides a new model for ecological monitoring through training experienced recreational divers in underwater visual census methods to the level of skilled scientists. Detail produced is similar to that of programs with professional scientific teams, at low cost to allow global coverage. RLS differs from most other citizen science initiatives in its emphasis on rigorous training and data quality rather than open participation, selectively involving the most skilled and committed members. Volunteers participate primarily because they appreciate the close relationship with scientists, other divers, and managers, and see their efforts directly contributing to improved environmental outcomes. RLS works closely with Australian management agencies, scheduling annual events at core monitoring sites associated with 10 inshore marine protected areas Australia-wide. Surveys of 12 offshore Australian Marine Parks (AMPs) are realized through 2–4 week voyages in a sailing catamaran crewed by volunteers. Across the AMP network, RLS surveys have quantified densities of fishes, mobile invertebrates, macroalgae and corals at 350 shallow coral reef sites (180 sites surveyed on two or more occasions), providing an understanding of (i) population changes amongst threatened species including sea snakes, (ii) responses of fish and invertebrate populations following fisheries closures, (iii) ecosystem-wide impacts of marine heat-waves, and (iv) the extent that AMPs spanning the network comprehensively encompass national coral reef biodiversity. This scientist/volunteer/manager collaboration could be greatly expanded globally (presently 3537 sites in 53 countries).
•Global monitoring of reef communities using standardized visual census methods•Divers assess densities of fishes, reptiles, mobile and sessile invertebrates, and macro-algae•Involves collaboration of highly trained volunteer divers, researchers and managers•Data now collected from 3537 sites in 53 countries•Management agencies use data to assess effects of fishing, climate change and pollution
Details
- Title
- Establishing the ecological basis for conservation of shallow marine life using Reef Life Survey
- Creators
- Graham J Edgar (Author) - Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, AustraliaAntonia Cooper (Author) - Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, AustraliaSusan C Baker (Author) - School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, AustraliaWilliam Barker (Author) - Nature Coast Marine Group, 20 Trunketabella Street, Potato Point, NSW 2545, AustraliaNeville S Barrett (Author) - Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, AustraliaMikel A Becerro (Author) - The BITES Lab, Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Acc Cala S Francesc 14, 17300 Blanes, Gerona, SpainAmanda E Bates (Author) - Department of Ocean Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL A1C 5S7, CanadaDanny Brock (Author) - Department for Environment and Water, 81-95 Waymouth Street, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, AustraliaDaniela M Ceccarelli (Author) - ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, AustraliaElla Clausius (Author) - Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, AustraliaMarlene Davey (Author) - Reef Life Survey Foundation, 60 Napoleon St, Battery Point, Tasmania 7000, AustraliaTom R Davis (Author) - Fisheries Research, NSW Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 4321, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, AustraliaPaul B Day (Author) - Carijoa – Marine Environmental Consulting, 29 Sydenham Street, Rivervale, Perth, WA 6103, AustraliaAndrew Green (Author) - Nature Coast Marine Group, 10 Garden Street, Geelong, Victoria, AustraliaSamuel R Griffiths (Author) - Exto En Vism, P.O. Box 113, Dodges Ferry, Tasmania 7173, AustraliaJamie Hicks (Author) - Department for Environment and Water, 81-95 Waymouth Street, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, AustraliaIván A Hinojosa (Author) - Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias y Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Ambientes Sustentables (CIBAS), Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, ChileBen K Jones (Author) - School of Natural Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, AustraliaStuart Kininmonth (Author) - School of Marine Studies, The University of the South Pacific, Suva, FijiMeryl F Larkin (Author) - National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, Bay Drive, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2456, AustraliaNatali Lazzari (Author) - The BITES Lab, Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Acc Cala S Francesc 14, 17300 Blanes, Gerona, SpainJonathan S Lefcheck (Author) - Tennenbaum Marine Observatories Network, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD, USAScott D Ling (Author) - Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, AustraliaPeter Mooney (Author) - Reef Life Survey Foundation, 60 Napoleon St, Battery Point, Tasmania 7000, AustraliaElizabeth Oh (Author) - Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, AustraliaAlejandro Pérez-Matus (Author) - Subtidal Ecology laboratory, Estación Costera de Investigaciones Marinas, Departamento de Ecologia, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla 114-D, Santiago, ChileJacqueline B Pocklington (Author) - Science and Management Effectiveness Branch, Parks Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, AustraliaRodrigo Riera (Author) - Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias y Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Ambientes Sustentables (CIBAS), Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, ChileJose A Sanabria-Fernandez (Author) - The BITES Lab, Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Acc Cala S Francesc 14, 17300 Blanes, Gerona, SpainYanir Seroussi (Author) - Underwater Research Group of Queensland, 24 Pulle St, Yeerongpilly, QLD 4105, AustraliaIan Shaw (Author) - Solitary Islands Underwater Research Group, PO Box 4096, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, AustraliaDerek Shields (Author) - Reef Life Survey Foundation, 60 Napoleon St, Battery Point, Tasmania 7000, AustraliaJoe Shields (Author) - Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, AustraliaMargo Smith (Author) - Combined Hunter Underwater Group, 106 Northcott Drive, Adamstown Heights, NSW 2289, AustraliaGerman A Soler (Author) - Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, AustraliaJemina Stuart-Smith (Author) - Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, AustraliaJohn Turnbull (Author) - School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of NSW, Kensington 2033, AustraliaRick D Stuart-Smith (Author) - Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
- Publication Details
- Biological Conservation, Vol.252, 108855
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Identifiers
- 991012927069302368
- Academic Unit
- National Marine Science Centre
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article