Surveys
of sessile benthic communities
using the video technique
Standard
operational procedure 2
INTRODUCTION
The major objective of the
sessile benthic component of the Long-term Monitoring Program
(LTMP) is to monitor the status of coral dominated benthic
communities by detecting and quantifying major spatial and
temporal changes in the abundance of benthos.
A video technique has been
developed at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)
to achieve this objective. The video technique is a relatively
new method used to quantify percentage cover of reef benthic
communities (Carleton and Done 1995). This survey technique
has replaced the time consuming line intercept method (Marsh et
al. 1984, Loya 1978).
The video technique has the
advantage of being quicker to implement in the field than the
line intercept method and it provides a permanent record of
the reef benthos (the video tape). Like the line intercept
method, it can be used in most diving conditions, including
limited visibility. It is also an easy technique for an
experienced diver to learn.
The purpose of this Standard
Operational Procedure manual is twofold. Firstly, it is an
explicit account of the methods used by this program at AIMS,
consequently some aspects of the manual are specific to the
equipment used in this program. Secondly, it is intended as a
guide for other users who wish to use video technology to
monitor reef communities.
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