How to Conduct a Coral Reef Survey

A Look at the Living Ocean Foundation's Underwater Survey Methods

Using the M/Y Golden Shadow as a research platform, research scientists implement standardized protocols to map, characterize, and evaluate coral reefs. The research involves comparing coral reefs across gradients of biodiversity, oceanographic conditions and human pressures to determine their status and major threats, and to identify key factors that enhance their health and resilience.

The Living Oceans Foundation looks at three main components when characterizing the health of a reef:
• We look at the fish (Fish Census);
• We look at what's on the bottom—that includes corals and other things (Benthic Survey); and
• We look at the corals (Belt Transect).

By learning how to conduct these types of surveys, you can make your own observations about aquatic resources near you. You may not live near a coral reef, but you can still use these methods to measure other important plants and animals that exist in habitats close to your home or school.