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Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) Benthic Surveys (Basic/Level 1 Survey Methods)

Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) Benthic Surveys (Basic/Level 1 Survey Methods). By Julie Galkiewicz SNI - Tarpon Springs (updated 11/2011). Outline. Why should we use AGRRA? How do we use AGRRA? Two different parts Types of measurements. Why AGRRA?.

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Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) Benthic Surveys (Basic/Level 1 Survey Methods)

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  1. Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA)Benthic Surveys(Basic/Level 1 Survey Methods) By Julie Galkiewicz SNI - Tarpon Springs (updated 11/2011)

  2. Outline • Why should we use AGRRA? • How do we use AGRRA? • Two different parts • Types of measurements

  3. Why AGRRA? • Used by professionals (Dr. Beth and Dr. Chris!) • Used throughout the GoM and Atlantic • Lots of different types of data • Coral spp. and overall environment • Different levels of difficulty • We’ll use Basic, work up to Intermediate

  4. What is AGRRA? • Used to rapidly assess the reef environment • Looks at coral cover, diseases, bottom types, presence of harmful/helpful species • Experienced researchers can complete two full AGRRA surveys in an hour • Two different parts • Point count and coral recruits • Belt transect

  5. Step 1 - Above the Water! • Record on the data sheets • Your name • Date • Site name, Number (first or second site visited?) • Long & Lat (ask the Captain!) • Reef type - Patch/Sponge 

  6. Step 2 - Below the Water! • Lay the transect line • Don’t overlap with another group • Want it to lie along the reef • Write down depth at 0, 10 m • Water temp • Time you start 

  7. Point Count Step 3: Point Count • Transect is 10 meters long, marked every 1 meter • Meter stick is marked every 10 cm • Write down the bottom type under each 10 cm mark • Sand, Rubble, Pavement • Live Coral, Dead Coral • Macroalgae, Turf Algae, Sponges, Gorgonians 

  8. Point Count 3 m Sand Macroalgae Rubble 2 m Sponge 10 m Point Count 0 m 

  9. Point Count Different Bottom types - 1 1c 1b 1a 

  10. Point Count Different Bottom types - 2 2b 2a 2c 

  11. Point Count Different Bottom types - 3 3a 3b 

  12. Point Count Step 4: Quadrats! • Every other meter • 5 quadrat measurements per transect line • Place quadrat next to line • Record every baby coral (coral recruit) smaller than 2 cm • Main substrate type in the quadrat • Live coral, Dead coral, Pavement, Rubble, Sand, Other

  13. Point Count Quadrats 10 m 9 7 5 3 1 0 m Sand Macroalgae Sponge Coral 

  14. Belt Transect Belt Transects • Point Counts give us a general overview of different bottom types • Belt Transects focus in on corals • Size, diseases, bleaching

  15. Belt Transect What is a “Belt Transect”? • Uses a “belt” or wider area around the transect line • 50 cm on each side, 1 m total width • Measures more of the small corals From AGRRA v5 Protocol

  16. Belt Transect ? ? Measuring Corals • Along the Springs Coast, most of our corals are small • Measurements estimate total volume • Length, width, height

  17. Belt Transect • Find the direction the coral is growing • Up? Diagonally? • Look directly down at the coral from the direction it’s growing in

  18. Belt Transect • Find the longest diameter looking down from above. • Perpendicular to that line, find the widest part. 

  19. Belt Transect 5. Using the direction of growth, measure the height of the coral 

  20. Belt Transect Height Width Special Measurements • But what if the coral has tipped over? What do you measure?

  21. Summary • Most important! • RECORD DATA CORRECTLY! • Ask for help if you need it • This is YOUR data, find ways to use it

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