Data

Reef Life Survey (RLS): Global reef fish dataset

University of Tasmania, Australia
Edgar, Graham ; Stuart-Smith, Rick
Viewed: [[ro.stat.viewed]] Cited: [[ro.stat.cited]] Accessed: [[ro.stat.accessed]]
ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2FANDS&rft_id=https://metadata.imas.utas.edu.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/9c766140-9e72-4bfb-8f04-d51038355c59&rft.title=Reef Life Survey (RLS): Global reef fish dataset&rft.identifier=https://metadata.imas.utas.edu.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/9c766140-9e72-4bfb-8f04-d51038355c59&rft.description=[This data has been superseded by a synthesised global dataset which includes additional ecological data contributed by non-RLS entities (National Reef Monitoring Network). Please visit the corresponding NRMN Collection (IMOS - National Reef Monitoring Network Sub-Facility - Global off-transect species observations || Global reef fish abundance and biomass) for the most current version of this data. See Downloads and Links section below.] This dataset contains records of bony fishes and elasmobranchs collected by Reef Life Survey (RLS) divers along 50m transects on shallow rocky and coral reefs, worldwide. Abundance information is available for all records found within quantitative survey limits (50 x 5 m swathes during a single swim either side of the transect line, each distinguished as a Block), and out-of-survey records are identified as presence-only (Method 0). Although surveys are undertaken as part of monitoring programs at particular locations (mostly in Australia), this dataset contains does not include repeat surveys of sites.Maintenance and Update Frequency: irregularStatement: Data in the RLS global reef fish dataset have been collected by a combination of experienced scientists and skilled recreational divers, with all divers having either substantial prior experience in reef fish surveys or extensive training in the RLS methods. Quality control procedures are described in detail in Edgar & Stuart-Smith 2014 and results of an analysis of data quality differences between volunteer divers and professional scientists are presented in Edgar & Stuart-Smith 2009. Line transects 50 m in length are laid along a depth contour. Fishes are surveyed in two 5 m wide by 5 m high bands or (blocks), parallel with the 50 m transect line. During the fish survey, the number and estimated size-category of all fishes sighted within 5 m blocks either side of the transect line, and within a 5 m high ceiling (and 5 m deep floor if applicable, see section on methods for surveying walls in appendix 2, in manual) is recorded as the divers swim slowly along the block. Size-classes of total fish length (from snout to tip of tail, or longest distance, including for stingrays) used are 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, 15.0, 20.0, 25.0, 30.0, 35.0, 40.0, 50.0, 62.5 cm, and above. Lengths of fish larger than 62.5 cm should be estimated to the nearest 12.5 cm and individually recorded. GPS location, date, time, depth and visibility are also recorded. See link to the Methods Manual: A Standardized Survey Procedures for Monitoring Reef Ecosystems, for more information.&rft.creator=Edgar, Graham &rft.creator=Stuart-Smith, Rick &rft.date=2014&rft.coverage=westlimit=-180.00; southlimit=-80.00; eastlimit=180.00; northlimit=80.00&rft.coverage=westlimit=-180.00; southlimit=-80.00; eastlimit=180.00; northlimit=80.00&rft.coverage=uplimit=50; downlimit=0&rft.coverage=uplimit=50; downlimit=0&rft_rights= https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/&rft_rights=https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by/3.0/au/88x31.png&rft_rights=WWW:LINK-1.0-http--related&rft_rights=License Graphic&rft_rights=Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License&rft_rights=https://creativecommons.org/international/au/&rft_rights=WWW:LINK-1.0-http--related&rft_rights=WWW:LINK-1.0-http--related&rft_rights=License Text&rft_rights=Edgar, GJ and Stuart-Smith, RD [year-of-data-downloaded], Reef Life Survey (RLS): Global reef fish dataset. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS). Data accessed at https://catalogue-rls.imas.utas.edu.au/geonetwork/srv/en/metadata.show?uuid=9c766140-9e72-4bfb-8f04-d51038355c59 on [date-of-access].&rft_rights=Please also cite the associated data paper when using this data: Edgar, GJ and Stuart-Smith, RD, “Systematic global assessment of reef fish communities by the Reef Life Survey program”, Scientific Data, 1 Article 140007. doi:10.1038/sdata.2014.7 ISSN 2052-4463 (2014)&rft_rights=The data described in this record are the intellectual property of the Reef Life Survey Foundation Inc. and is managed by the University of Tasmania through the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania.&rft_rights=Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au&rft_subject=biota&rft_subject=oceans&rft_subject=FISH&rft_subject=EARTH SCIENCE&rft_subject=BIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION&rft_subject=ANIMALS/VERTEBRATES&rft_subject=Temperate Reef&rft_subject=Tropical Reef&rft_subject=diver&rft_subject=Abundance of biota&rft_subject=Biotic taxonomic identification&rft_subject=Community Ecology&rft_subject=BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES&rft_subject=ECOLOGY&rft_subject=Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl. Marine Ichthyology)&rft.type=dataset&rft.language=English Access the data

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License Text

Edgar, GJ and Stuart-Smith, RD [year-of-data-downloaded], Reef Life Survey (RLS): Global reef fish dataset. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS). Data accessed at https://catalogue-rls.imas.utas.edu.au/geonetwork/srv/en/metadata.show?uuid=9c766140-9e72-4bfb-8f04-d51038355c59 on [date-of-access].

Please also cite the associated data paper when using this data: Edgar, GJ and Stuart-Smith, RD, “Systematic global assessment of reef fish communities by the Reef Life Survey program”, Scientific Data, 1 Article 140007. doi:10.1038/sdata.2014.7 ISSN 2052-4463 (2014)

The data described in this record are the intellectual property of the Reef Life Survey Foundation Inc. and is managed by the University of Tasmania through the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania.

Access:

Open

Brief description

[This data has been superseded by a synthesised global dataset which includes additional ecological data contributed by non-RLS entities (National Reef Monitoring Network). Please visit the corresponding NRMN Collection (IMOS - National Reef Monitoring Network Sub-Facility - Global off-transect species observations || Global reef fish abundance and biomass) for the most current version of this data. See "Downloads and Links" section below.] This dataset contains records of bony fishes and elasmobranchs collected by Reef Life Survey (RLS) divers along 50m transects on shallow rocky and coral reefs, worldwide. Abundance information is available for all records found within quantitative survey limits (50 x 5 m swathes during a single swim either side of the transect line, each distinguished as a Block), and out-of-survey records are identified as presence-only (Method 0). Although surveys are undertaken as part of monitoring programs at particular locations (mostly in Australia), this dataset contains does not include repeat surveys of sites.

Lineage

Maintenance and Update Frequency: irregular
Statement: Data in the RLS global reef fish dataset have been collected by a combination of experienced scientists and skilled recreational divers, with all divers having either substantial prior experience in reef fish surveys or extensive training in the RLS methods. Quality control procedures are described in detail in Edgar & Stuart-Smith 2014 and results of an analysis of data quality differences between volunteer divers and professional scientists are presented in Edgar & Stuart-Smith 2009. Line transects 50 m in length are laid along a depth contour. Fishes are surveyed in two 5 m wide by 5 m high bands or ("blocks"), parallel with the 50 m transect line. During the fish survey, the number and estimated size-category of all fishes sighted within 5 m blocks either side of the transect line, and within a 5 m high ceiling (and 5 m deep floor if applicable, see section on methods for surveying walls in appendix 2, in manual) is recorded as the divers swim slowly along the block. Size-classes of total fish length (from snout to tip of tail, or longest distance, including for stingrays) used are 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, 15.0, 20.0, 25.0, 30.0, 35.0, 40.0, 50.0, 62.5 cm, and above. Lengths of fish larger than 62.5 cm should be estimated to the nearest 12.5 cm and individually recorded. GPS location, date, time, depth and visibility are also recorded. See link to the Methods Manual: A Standardized Survey Procedures for Monitoring Reef Ecosystems, for more information.

Notes

Credit
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania
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Caring for our Country, Community CoastCare Grant
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NRM and local management boards around Australia
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State Marine Biodiversity Management Agencies around Australia
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Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities (CERF) Program, an Australian Government initiative supporting world class, public good research - Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
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Marine Biodiversity Hub, a collaborative partnership supported through the Australian Government’s National Environmental Research Program (NERP)
Credit
Australian Research Council (ARC)
Credit
Fullbright Visiting Scholarship
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Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship
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National Geographic Society
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Conservation International
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Wildlife Conservation Society
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Winifred Violet Scott Trust
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The Ian Potter Foundation
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Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service
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University of Tasmania (UTAS)
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ASSEMBLE Marine
Credit
Trained volunteer diver network
Purpose
The dataset generated by recreational divers provides a national framework for monitoring the state of the inshore environment and the identification of those threats and locations of greatest conservation concern. The project also increases awareness and interest by the recreational diving community in marine issues, and enhanced scientific capacity of personnel in regional areas.

Created: 15 10 2014

Data time period: 02 01 2006

This dataset is part of a larger collection

180,80 180,-80 0,-80 -180,-80 -180,80 0,80 180,80

0,0

text: westlimit=-180.00; southlimit=-80.00; eastlimit=180.00; northlimit=80.00

text: uplimit=50; downlimit=0

Other Information
(SUPERSEDED BY (appears in 2 collections): IMOS - National Reef Monitoring Network - Global reef fish abundance and biomass)

uri : http://catalogue-imos.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/b273fafa-03d6-4fc2-9acf-39d8c06581e5

(SUPERSEDED BY (appears in 2 collections): IMOS - National Reef Monitoring Network - Global off-transect species observations)

uri : http://catalogue-imos.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/a73907b7-3686-4dcf-8a1d-7efc4e5ffc05

(Reef Life Survey website)

uri : https://www.reeflifesurvey.com/

(Reef Life Survey Methods Manual [direct download])

uri : https://reeflifesurvey.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/NEW-Methods-Manual_150815.pdf

global : 4b5ae6b0-36b2-11dd-9409-00188b4c0af8

Identifiers
  • global : 9c766140-9e72-4bfb-8f04-d51038355c59