Hierarchical Methods and Sampling Design for Conservation Monitoring of Tropical Marine Hard Bottom Communities

Sullivan, K.; Chiappone, M.

1. A 4-year study developed methods for annual monitoring of shallow-water tropical marine benthic communities to detect changes in spatial patterning and benthic diversity. Two low-relief sponge/octocoral communities were selected from natural colour photography to gain a broader perspective on spatial variability in the benthic community structure of similar community types. 2. Changes in benthic spatial patterning were studied using four methods: (i) substrata and lifeform coverage characterization, (ii) species inventories, (iii) belt quadrat measurements of taxa-level (algae, sponges, octocorals and stony corals) density, area coverage and size, and (iv) belt quadrat measurements of species-level density, area coverage and area per individual or colony. 3. A sampling hierarchy of multiple parameters was utilized to detect changes in benthic community diversity. Substrata and lifeform characterizations (at the taxa- versus species-level) were the least sensitive and serve as indicators of catastrophic change in community structure. 4. Changes in spatial patterning of the benthos that may be attributed to low-level, chronic anthropogenic disturbances can be best studied utilizing belt quadrat measurements. The use of multiple study sites and a sampling hierarchy was useful in minimizing Type II errors and to determine the level of monitoring necessary to segregate natural rates of change from anthropogenic impacts.

Hierarchical Methods and Sampling Design for Conservation Monitoring of Tropical Marine Hard Bottom Communities

Series