INVERTEBRATE & ALGAE
Where? | What
species are monitored? | How and why did these programs
get developed? | How do I conduct a survey? |
What materials are available? | When and where
can I conduct a survey? | What happens to my surveys? | How can I access the data? | How do I interpret
the data and reports? | Why collect invertebrate survey
REEF has programs to monitor invertebrates
in California (launched in 2006) and
the Pacific Northwest (launched in
1998) (the California program also includes a few species of algae).
Both of these were created to serve as a companion to the fish monitoring
program that has been in place from California to Alaska since 1997.
Each program monitors a discrete list of species that were carefully
selected in order to provide valuable information on the status and health
of regional marine ecosystems.
What species are monitored?
The Pacific Northwest program includes 44
invertebrates - the list of species included in the
program is posted at http://www.reef.org/data/pac/invertsp.htm.
of images of the species included is posted on this website.
The California program includes 63 invertebrates and algae
- the list of species included in the program is posted at http://www.reef.org/data/pac/CAinvertsp.htm.
A gallery of images
of the species included will be posted soon.
How and why did these programs
add invertebrates to a program that primarily focuses on fishes?
Invertebrates such as colorful anemones, starfish, and sponges
dominate the landscape seen by divers in cold water rocky reef
environments. Whereas tropical divers spend most of their time looking at
fish seen in front of a backdrop of invertebrates, invertebrates are
predominant in cold water. In addition to a desire by West Coast REEF
members to learn more about these fascinating spineless creatures so
apparent to underwater naturalists, invertebrates and algae can serve as
valuable indicators of the health and status of local environments.
list of invertebrates and algae monitored in these programs is not an
exhaustive list of all of those a diver will encounter in California or
the Pacific Northwest (this is in contrast to REEF's fish monitoring
programs, which have divers/snorkelers record all fish species
encountered during a dive that can be positively identified). A variety of animals and algae from different Phyla were
chosen in order to familiarize REEF volunteers with the characteristics of
major taxonomic groups and exhibit the biological diversity of nearshore
marine environment. Each species in the programs was carefully selected
based on specific monitoring criteria so that the survey data will be
useful to resource agencies and scientists trying to better understand and
protect coastal marine resources.
The Pacific Northwest program was developed through a
partnership with the Living Oceans Society, a non-profit
organization based in British Columbia that is committed to the
preservation of marine biological diversity and creation of sustainable
fisheries through the establishment of a network of marine protected areas
and ecosystem management (for more information, visit their website at www.livingoceans.org).
Special thanks to Dana Haggarty and Susan Francis for developing the
species list and writing the training curriculm.
California program was developed with guidance from the Monterey Bay and
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuaries, the Channel Islands National
Park and the California Department of Fish and Game. Special thanks
to Steve Lonhart, Laura Francis, Dan Richards and John Ugoretz for their
assistance in developing the species list.
How do I conduct an
invertebrate/algae REEF survey?
As part of the programs, invertebrates are monitored using the same Roving
Diver Technique (RDT) survey method used in REEF fish surveys. The
RDT is a visual survey method specifically designed for volunteer
data. The only materials needed are an underwater slate and pencil, a scantron form
available at no charge from REEF, and a good reference book. Where
can I get Scantron forms? Find
out more about doing a survey.
The Survey Method- During RDT surveys in the Pacific region
(California to Alaska), divers can conduct a fish survey, an invertebrate
survey, or both during each dive. During the survey dive, the
surveyor swims freely throughout a dive site
and records the presence of all fish species and/or each of the invertebrate/algae species
included in the program that are encountered and that can be positively
identified. The search for
fishes and/or invertebrates begins as soon as the diver enters the water. The goal is to find as many species
as possible so divers are encouraged to look under ledges and up in the water column.
At the conclusion of each survey, each recorded fish species is assigned one of four abundance
categories based on about how many were seen throughout the dive [single (1); few (2-10),
many (11-100), and abundant (>100)]. The invertebrates are assigned
either the abundance codes (Single, Few, Many, Abundant) or Present,
depending on the species. Species that tend to be present in aggregations
rather than as discrete individuals, such as strawberry anemones and sand
tube worms, will be recorded as present if seen during the dive rather than
assigning an abundance category. The list of invertebrates included in
each program are listed at:
- Pacific Northwest
Filling out the Scansheet- Following the dive, each surveyor records the species
data along with survey time, depth, temperature, and other environmental information on
the REEF scansheet specific for the Pacific region. The location of
the survey is recorded using the common dive site name and the REEF Geographic Zone Code. The Zone Codes are a hierarchical list of
codes. A separate survey and scansheet are done for each dive. Completed scansheets are
returned to REEF HQ, at P.O. Box 246, Key Largo, FL 33037, USA.
What materials are available?
As part of these programs, survey and training materials have been created
that include information about the invertebrates and algae included,
including image-based training curricula ("Introduction to Identification of Pacific
Northwest Invertebrates" and "Introduction to Invertebrates and
Algae in California").
Waterproof survey paper that lists
both fish and invertebrates is available and color identification cards.
All of these materials are available through our online
store or from REEF HQ.
When and where are
invertebrate surveys conducted?
Just like REEF fish surveys, the invertebrate surveys are conducted as part of a diver's regular diving activities; anytime they
are in the water.
Because each project area has different scanforms and survey materials, be
sure to have the Pacific scanform and materials.
What happens to the survey after it's returned to REEF
REEF personnel review the completed forms and then scan the forms into a computer. A
series of quality control programs are run on the datafiles and then the survey data are
loaded into REEF's online database. From this database, a variety of reports can be
generated on species distribution and population trends, for a specific site
or region. The time frame from receipt of a survey at REEF HQ to uploading to the
database is usually between 4-8 weeks.
How can I access the data?
All data collected by REEF volunteers is returned to REEF and entered into our database.
This database is accessible online and a variety of reports can be
generated. A summary report can be generated for a given location or region, with data on
all species that have been documented there. Distribution reports can be generated for a
specific species or family. And you can view your own lifelist of fish and
invertebrate sightings using
your REEF member ID number.
How do I interpret the data and the reports?
Roving diver survey data generate a species list along with sighting frequency and
abundance estimates for each species. Click here for
information on interpreting these frequency and abundance estimates.
What are the data used for?
As the invertebrate and algae database grows, the data will be
useful in a variety of management and conservation applications.
While there are no examples of invertebrate data applications yet, the
REEF Fish Survey Project data have been used in several scientific papers
and have become integrated into several projects. To read
more about these papers and projects and about using volunteers in data collection, visit
our Monitoring and Research page.
Why collect survey data?
Once you start conducting fish and/or inveterate surveys, your diving experience will change. Suddenly
you will start to notice things on your dives that have always been there, but the
difference is that now you will know them. You will realize when a species you encounter
is a great find, and who are the usual suspects. Another reason- it allows you to
participate, become a scientist, become an explorer. It gives you a voice to
make a difference. We hope you will use it.
To learn more, you may be interested in reading Learning to See
Underwater, a paper published in the Underwater Naturalist in April 2001
(click here to download a pdf).