You are here:
QUALITY ASSURANCE MEASURES ASSOCIATED WITH CORAL REEF MONITORING
Citation:
Santavy, D L., E. Mueller, E. C. Peters, J. W. Porter, AND V D. Engle. QUALITY ASSURANCE MEASURES ASSOCIATED WITH CORAL REEF MONITORING. Presented at International Conference on Scientific Aspects of Coral Reef Assessment, Monitoring, and Restoration, National Coral Reef Institute, Fort Lauderdale, FL, April 14-16, 1999.
Description:
Systematic efforts began in 1997 to assess the incidence of coral diseases in the Florida Keys. Protocols were developed for the selection of permanent stations and for data collection methodology. Permanent stations and for data collection methodology. Permanent stations were established at random coordinates, and radial belt transects were used to survey each station. A rigorous quality assurance plan was adopted to quantify observer error and minimize data processing errors. The data collection protocols included training to improve identification skills and familiarize participants with the survey protocols, including the completion of standardized data forms. Coral and disease surveyors were evaluated for their ability to identify coral species and coral condition classified as healthy, affected by a specific disease, bleached or being physically damaged. Only qualified observers were employed to make counts. Qualified observers made repeated counts at a single station so that intra- and inter-observer variability could be quantified for the same transect. The quality assurance plan included procedures for several levels of data verification starting in the field and continuing to final data anlysis. The methodology included the coral and disease counters conducting duplicate counts, and all data entries and transformations were independently checked. We propose that use of a standard protocol, as described herein, along with rigorous attention to data qualilty, will allow valid comparison of data from diverse locations, thus providing an emerging picture of the condition of coral reefs in geographically proximal and distant areas.