Belt surveys were conducted to determine coral juvenile densities and size frequencies within each EcoRRAP monitoring plot. Methods followed AIMS LTMP survey protocols (SOP10: AIMS_LTMP_SOP10v2_Benthic-surveys-photography_2020_DOI.pdf). Briefly:
Methods:
Run tape in straight line between plot star pickets. Really big bommies that need to be circumnavigated to pass on the more shallow side on reef slope, others crossed
Survey slate-width belt of 0.34 x 5.00 m along the transect line on the upward side of the tape (=up the reef slope). Skip >1 m patches of sand (ie extend the transect beyond 5 m by the length of the sand patch).
Record all living HC juveniles ≤ 5 cm, to whatever taxonomic resolution possible - at least family, or genus. Estimate size of each to nearest cm. Avoid remnant patches of corals
Record ‘% available substratum’ = estimate % cover of TA+CCA+MA (I also include large rubble as habitable space). This follows LTMP protocol: “proportion of substrate occupied by algae. We used total algal cover as corals do not only settle on coralline algae and we wished to preserve the possible negative effects of macroalgae.”
Record turf algal height (in mm with calliper) at a single point each meter for the first 3 m of the transect. Find nearest turf to each meter mark.
Estimate amount of sediments on surface: 0, none; 1, thin layer; 2, considerable amount of sediment but still removable by fanning, and 3, thick deep layer of sediment.
Estimate the slope of the reef as either 0, 30, 60 or 90 degrees
Photograph unknown juveniles, record time of pic so we can attribute it to plot, and its size.
Transect length 4m in deep, 5m in shallows.
