The aim of this study was to develop a practical low-technology methods for assessment of coral reef fish community, based on bioindicators. We assessed an integral index of coral reef fish community integrity, reflecting species richness, and abundance of most common nearshore fishes. This was the basis for the development of three tests for rapid low-tech assessment of one important constituent of the coral reef ecosystem, the fish community, Nhatrang bay, Vietnam. These tests can be used for assessment of the overall condition of the fish community and coral cover at depths from 1 to 5 m. The tests developed in this project have several important advantages: (1) Expensive equipment is not required for the assessment of the coral reef condition, it is enough to have just the basic snorkelling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins). (2) Special qualification is not essential for the observer. It is enough if he/she has a high school education level. It is not necessary to have any extended experience of identifying fish species underwater. The personnel can be trained to identify only a few indicator species, having characteristic appearance, during a very short term. (3) There is no necessity to count fish number underwater, because the observer should only note the presence/absence of a few indicator species. (4) The tests are based on the most common, rather than rare species. Therefore, zero values of certain items would really reflect absence of this indicator rather than poor attention of the observer. This would increase the objectivity of assessment. (5) The tests are devised for a very rapid assessment of local coral reef conditions. (6) The primary data processing is extremely simple, and involves elementary summing of several items. Our assessment of the coral reef conditions in Nhatrang bay showed a clear efficiency of the tests.

plus-circle Add Review

comment

Reviews