Measuring Success |Alternative Protocols  
Alternative Protocols
Resources Required Monitoring Program

 Information Provided
 Recommendation
Costs Expertise
Low Low
(e.g., community and volunteer programs)		 Reef Check
http://www.reef
check.org/

Provides limited information on the extent and severity of bleaching. Good for community involvement. Use only if minimal resources are available.
Low to Moderate Low to Moderate (e.g., government programs which include trained staff) Modification to Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN)
http://www.
gcrmn.org/1
At present, this method does not specifically assess the extent and severity of coral bleaching. However, new methods are being developed to specifically address this issue (see Coral Bleaching Monitoring and Reporting Program below). This program does provide methods for assessing recovery of coral communities after bleaching events. Use jointly with Coral Bleaching Monitoring and Reporting Program when it becomes available (see below).
Low to High

 Low to High (everyone)


 Coral Bleaching Monitoring and Reporting Program
(available late 2003) 		ReefBase, World Wildlife Fund, and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority are currently developing a protocol for the reporting and monitoring of bleaching events (see below). This protocol will be used in conjunction with GCRMN methods (see above), and provide a range of useful tools for varying situations depending on the time and resources available. This protocol will be available in late 2003, and will be available on ReefBase at
http://www.wcmc.org.uk/data/
database/reefbase.html
Since this method is being developed specifically to monitor and report on coral bleaching, it may provide the best option for monitoring bleaching when it becomes available. Use jointly with GCRMN methods (see above).
High High (professional scientists with a high degree of technical expertise) Australian Institute of Marine Science Long Term Monitoring Program
http://www.aims.
gov.au/
pages/research/reef-
monitoring/reef-
monitoring-index.html
This method provides an example of a monitoring program that provides more detailed information on the extent and severity of coral bleaching.2 Recommended if high level of funding and expertise is available.

1  Detailed methods found in English, S., Wilkinson, C., and Baker, V. (1997) Survey manual for tropical marine resources, 2nd edition, published by Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville. ISBN 333.952072013. Available for purchase online at: http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/facilities/bookshop/survey-manual/bs-survey-manual01.html

2  Coral bleaching methods are currently being updated on the AIMS website and should be available in the next month. In the interim, bleaching is recorded the following ways. For video and line intercept transects: points are identified by life form/taxonomic group/species and then the colony on which the point falls classified as either not bleached, partially bleached or bleached. For manta tow and scuba search transects: at the end of a manta tow survey or scuba search transect, the proportion of hard corals showing some sign of bleaching are estimated into one of the following categories: 0= no bleaching; 0+= individual colonies; 1- = 1-5%; 1+ = 6-10%; 2 = 11-30%; 3= 31-50%; 4= 51-75%; and 5=76-100%.

Regional Monitoring Programs

• Regional monitoring programs related to coral bleaching exist in some regions, including:

Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) http://www.coral.noaa.gov./

Caribbean Coastal Marine Productivity Program (CARICOMP) http://www.ima.gov.tt/caricomp.htm

Coral Reef Degradation in the Indian Ocean (CORDIO) http://www.cordio.org/

Hawaii Coral Reef Assessment and Monitoring Program http://cramp.wcc.hawaii.edu/

• If you are based in one of these regions, you should contact the relevant program to determine if you wish to participate in a regional initiative.

  
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