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Reef Life Survey: establishing the ecological basis for conservation of shallow marine life
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 19:17 authored by Graham EdgarGraham Edgar, Antonia CooperAntonia Cooper, Susan BakerSusan Baker, Barker, W, Neville BarrettNeville Barrett, Becerro, MA, Bates, AE, Brock, D, Ceccarelli, DM, Ella ClausiusElla Clausius, Davey, M, Davis, TR, Day, PB, Green, A, Griffiths, SR, Hicks, J, Hinojosa, IA, Jones, BK, Kininmonth, S, Larkin, MF, Lazzari, N, Lefcheck, JS, Scott LingScott Ling, Mooney, P, Elizabeth OhElizabeth Oh, Perez-Matus, A, Pocklington, JB, Riera, R, Sanabria-Fernandez, JA, Seroussi, Y, Shaw, I, Shields, D, Shields, J, Smith, M, German Soler AlarconGerman Soler Alarcon, Jemina Stuart-SmithJemina Stuart-Smith, Turnbull, J, Richard Stuart-SmithRichard Stuart-SmithReef 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).
Funding
Australian Research Council
History
Publication title
Biological ConservationVolume
252Article number
108855Number
108855Pagination
1-14ISSN
0006-3207Department/School
Institute for Marine and Antarctic StudiesPublisher
Elsevier Sci LtdPlace of publication
The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, England, Oxon, Ox5 1GbRights statement
Copyright 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd.Repository Status
- Restricted