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Assessing National Biodiversity Trends for Rocky and Coral Reefs through the Integration of Citizen Science and Scientific Monitoring Programs

Stuart-Smith, Rick D. and Edgar, Graham J. and Barrett, Neville S. and Bates, Amanda E. and Baker, Susan C. and Bax, Nicholas J. and Becerro, Mikel A. and Berkhout, Just and Blanchard, Julia L. and Brock, Daniel J. and Clark, Graeme F. and Cooper, Antonia T. and Davis, Tom R. and Day, Paul B. and Duffy, J. Emmett and Holmes, Thomas H. and Howe, Steffan A. and Jordan, Alan and Kininmonth, Stuart and Knott, Nathan A. and Lefcheck, Jonathan S. and Ling, Scott D. and Parr, Amanda and Strain, Elisabeth and Sweatman, Hugh and Thomson, Russell (2017) Assessing National Biodiversity Trends for Rocky and Coral Reefs through the Integration of Citizen Science and Scientific Monitoring Programs. BioScience, 67 (8). pp. 774-786. ISSN 0006-3568

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Abstract

Reporting progress against targets for international biodiversity agreements is hindered by a shortage of suitable biodiversity data. We describe a cost-effective system involving Reef Life Survey citizen scientists in the systematic collection of quantitative data covering multiple phyla that can underpin numerous marine biodiversity indicators at high spatial and temporal resolution. We then summarize the findings of a continental- and decadal-scale State of the Environment assessment for rocky and coral reefs based on indicators of ecosystem state relating to fishing, ocean warming, and invasive species and describing the distribution of threatened species. Fishing impacts are widespread, whereas substantial warming-related change affected some regions between 2005 and 2015. Invasive species are concentrated near harbors in southeastern Australia, and the threatened-species index is highest for the Great Australian Bight and Tasman Sea. Our approach can be applied globally to improve reporting against biodiversity targets and enhance public and policymakers’ understanding of marine biodiversity trends.

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
Divisions: Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > School of Marine Studies
Depositing User: Fulori Nainoca - Waqairagata
Date Deposited: 06 Jun 2018 04:55
Last Modified: 06 Jun 2018 04:55
URI: https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/10810

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