Document Type
Article
Department/Program
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Publication Date
1-2017
Journal
Bioscience
Volume
67
Issue
2
First Page
134
Last Page
146
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
DOI
10.1093/biosci/biw180
Keywords
Convention on Biological Diversity; state of the environment; ecological indicator; Marine Trophic Index; community temperature index
Recommended Citation
Stuart-Smith, Rochelle; Edgar, GJ; et al; Lefcheck, JS; and et al, Assessing National Biodiversity Trends for Rocky and Coral Reefs through the Integration of Citizen Science and Scientific Monitoring Programs (2017). Bioscience, 67(2), 134-146.
10.1093/biosci/biw180
