Program overview

The AIMS Long-term Monitoring Program is designed to detect changes in reef communities over time at a regional scale. Regions in this context refer to the combinations of three positions across the shelf (inshore, mid-shelf, outer shelf) at six latitudes (sectors). Where possible, three reefs are selected in each region.

	Surveys by the Long-term Monitoring Program involve three "tasks":
	Manta tow surveys   Manta tow surveys for crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) and reef-wide coral cover.
	Video surveys   Surveys of sessile benthic organisms such as corals using underwater video.
	Visual count   Visual counts of reef fishes.

Currently, 47 reefs are surveyed once annually in a sequence of five or six regional cruises over the summer period. Fish and benthic organisms are sampled at three sites in a predetermined habitat on each reef: the north-east flank of the reef. This habitat was chosen because it is relatively distinct and not too exposed to the prevailing winds. Sites are separated by 250 m if the area of suitable habitat allows for this degree of spread.

Reef fishes are counted and video recordings of corals are made on five 50 m transects within each site. Transects run approximately parallel to the reef crest along the middle of the slope generally following depth contours (usually at 6-9 m depth).

The entire perimeter of each sample reef is surveyed by manta tow.

An additional 35 reefs from the 11 sectors are surveyed each year using manta tow only. Some of these reefs are surveyed every year (key reefs); others are surveyed every three years (cycle reefs).

Crown-of-thorns starfish - Status
Data summaries

web@aims.gov.au
Last updated - October 10, 2001

Copyright ©1996-1999 Australian Institute of Marine Science

URL http://www.aims.gov.au