Data

Reef Life Survey (RLS): Survey Locations

Australian Ocean Data Network
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=http://catalogue-aodn.prod.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/search?uuid=4972fa20-195b-41e4-bee8-8175d6ac792b&rft.title=Reef Life Survey (RLS): Survey Locations&rft.identifier=http://catalogue-aodn.prod.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/search?uuid=4972fa20-195b-41e4-bee8-8175d6ac792b&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data has been superseded by a synthesised global dataset which includes additional ecological data contributed by non-RLS entities (National Reef Monitoring Network).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 - Survey metadata) for the most current version of this data. See Downloads and Links section below.] This dataset shows the location of Reef Life Survey (RLS) sites surveyed by divers along 50m transects on shallow rocky and coral reefs, worldwide. Although surveys are undertaken as part of monitoring programs at particular locations (mostly in Australia), this dataset contains only spatial information, with repeat surveys of sites not included. Biological data (abundance of invertebrates and fish, habitat quadrats) collected from these surveys is available as separate datasets through the AODN Data Portal (https://portal.aodn.org.au/ - search for 'NRMN')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; southlimit=-80.00; eastlimit=-180; northlimit=80.00&rft.coverage=westlimit=-180; southlimit=-80.00; eastlimit=-180; 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): Survey Locations. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS). Data accessed at https://catalogue-rls.imas.utas.edu.au/geonetwork/srv/en/metadata.show?uuid=4972fa20-195b-41e4-bee8-8175d6ac792b 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=Temperate Reef&rft_subject=Tropical Reef&rft_subject=Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl. Marine Ichthyology)&rft_subject=BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES&rft_subject=ECOLOGY&rft_subject=Community Ecology&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): Survey Locations. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS). Data accessed at https://catalogue-rls.imas.utas.edu.au/geonetwork/srv/en/metadata.show?uuid=4972fa20-195b-41e4-bee8-8175d6ac792b 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.

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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 - Survey metadata) for the most current version of this data. See "Downloads and Links" section below.]

This dataset shows the location of Reef Life Survey (RLS) sites surveyed by divers along 50m transects on shallow rocky and coral reefs, worldwide. Although surveys are undertaken as part of monitoring programs at particular locations (mostly in Australia), this dataset contains only spatial information, with repeat surveys of sites not included.

Biological data (abundance of invertebrates and fish, habitat quadrats) collected from these surveys is available as separate datasets through the AODN Data Portal (https://portal.aodn.org.au/ - search for 'NRMN')

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
Credit
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
Credit
Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship
Credit
National Geographic Society
Credit
Conservation International
Credit
Wildlife Conservation Society
Credit
Winifred Violet Scott Trust
Credit
The Ian Potter Foundation
Credit
Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service
Credit
University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Credit
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

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-180,-80 -180,80

-180,0

text: westlimit=-180; southlimit=-80.00; eastlimit=-180; northlimit=80.00

text: uplimit=50; downlimit=0

Subjects
Biological Sciences | Community Ecology | Ecology | Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl. Marine Ichthyology) | Temperate Reef | Tropical Reef | biota | oceans |

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Other Information
(SUPERSEDED BY: IMOS - National Reef Monitoring Network - Survey metadata)

uri : https://catalogue-imos.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/997c2e15-b345-438f-afac-49a4ac19be38

(SUPPLEMENTARY INFO - Reef Life Survey Methods Manual [direct download])

uri : https://reeflifesurvey.com/files/2008/09/NEW-Methods-Manual_15042013.pdf

(Reef Life Survey website)

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

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

Identifiers
  • global : 4972fa20-195b-41e4-bee8-8175d6ac792b
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