This C-BRACT Reef Assessment training module is designed to disseminate the findings and methods of the Synoptic Investigations of Human Impacts on Nearshore Environments (SHINE) project, the coral-focused arm of the 2015-2017 Nationwide Assessment of Coral Reef Environments (NACRE) program. NACRE-SHINE was the most comprehensive assessment of Philippine coral reefs since the first national assessment conducted nearly four decades ago1. Although it was conducted with relatively fewer assessment stations, NACRE-SHINE improved upon the first national assessment by having consistent statistically valid sampling design and standardized methodologies in both data gathering and data processing. This module will focus on the reef assessment method rationale and standard protocols developed by the NACRE-SHINE team.
With clear understanding of the different environmental factors affecting coral reef formation and coral distribution, NACRE-SHINE developed standard site selection criteria for all coral survey stations. It focused on shallow, well-developed fringing reefs. Sampling was random and stratified between marine biogeographic regions. The number of stations per biogeographic region was proportioned according to existing estimates of their coral reef area, and the location of stations was randomly selected. As a result of this sampling design, the project was able to arrive at a representative average of coral cover2 and diversity3 for shallow fringing reefs in the country.
The project also adopted the coral reef targeted research (CRTR) methodology of van Woesik et al.4 This method involves the use of photo-transects in distinct, mappable stations with dimensions of 25 m x 75 m. All stations are placed on the upper reef slope beginning at a tide-corrected depth of 5m to ensure their comparability. Transects are randomized within stations to provide a statistically sound representation of each station, and photos are then taken along each transect. The use of photos, unlike manually recorded line-intercept transect data, allows for validation of identified substrate categories.
Finally, NACRE-SHINE significantly expanded the taxonomic resolution of surveys through the use of taxonomic amalgamation units (TAUs). These TAUs correspond to genera, life forms, or a combination thereof, and were modified from those of van Woesik et al.4 to better suit the Philippine context. These TAUs were chosen to provide the maximum possible taxonomic resolution while accounting for the limitations of the photo-transect method.
While capacitation in the NACRE-SHINE methods is meant to empower you to conduct surveys efficiently in your own reefs of interest, it should be noted that even the best methods alone do not guarantee reliable data. Rather, these methods must be used in the context of a sound sampling design. This training modules intends to teach you both.
