Tracing Coral Reefs: A Citizen Science Approach in Mapping Coral Reefs to Enhance Marine Park Management Strategies

Autor: Chai Ming Lau, Abdul Adzis Kee-Alfian, Yang Amri Affendi, Julian Hyde, Alvin Chelliah, Yun Sing Leong, Yin Lee Low, Putri Asma Megat Yusop, Ven Thye Leong, A. Mohd Halimi, Yaman Mohd Shahir, R. Mohd Ramdhan, Ai Gaik Lim, Noor Ikhwanie Zainal
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2019
Předmět:
Zdroj: Frontiers in Marine Science, Vol 6 (2019)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2296-7745
DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2019.00539
Popis: Effective marine park management and protection of coral reefs can only happen if managers have adequate knowledge of reef health and area. However, obtaining such information is labor intensive and difficult with limited funding and time. Reef Check Malaysia was engaged by Department of Marine Parks Malaysia to map the coral reefs surrounding Tioman Island Marine Park and document health status and site specific threats. To achieve this, we utilized the Reef Check survey method, a simple, rapid and holistic standardized reef monitoring protocol based on scientific principles. This method is suitable where funds and time are limited. A total of 95 sites surrounding Tioman Island were surveyed with the assistance of certified Reef Check EcoDiver volunteers and representatives from local stakeholders. This citizen science approach proved successful and generated a baseline map revealing a difference in the health of coral reefs between the west and east sides of Tioman Island, where the West had 50% on the East. Combined with data on indicator fish and invertebrates, as well as human and natural impacts, the results suggest that Tioman Island should be separated into three distinctive conservation priority zones to enhance management strategies of this marine park. This is an example of an innovative way to engage and involve local stakeholders in planning conservation and management strategies.
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