BISC June 2004 Benthic Monitoring
Miller J and Loomis C. 2004. BISC June 2004 Benthic Monitoring. Virgin Islands National Park. St. John, Virginia
From Appendix II: Selecting Random Sample Points using GPS; We are trying to develop a way for folks to (inexpensively) conduct random sample selection (as opposed to haphazard). This protocol would involve snorkeling around the perimeter of a study site making a recording of the positions with a GPS in some kind of waterproof bag. They would download that recording/tracing and then load it into Arc View. From there, using scripts and extensions, they can generate random points within that study area, sort them for ease of navigating to them, then get a list of range and bearings from one point to another. Those ranges and bearings would be written on a slate and using a transect tape and compass, the divers could navigate from random one point to another. If the site were to be monitored "permanently", it would be beneficial to pound in a pin at the random point to aid in return relocation. Additionally, having someone on the surface with the GPS to could increase accuracy of navigating to the random points (in addition to the divers using the range and bearings).