A Citizen Science Approach: A Detailed Ecological Assessment of Subtropical Reefs at Point Lookout, Australia

Abstract

Subtropical reefs provide an important habitat for flora and fauna, and proper monitoring is required for conservation. Monitoring these exposed and submerged reefs is challenging and available resources are limited. Citizen science is increasing in momentum, as an applied research tool and in the variety of monitoring approaches adopted. This paper aims to demonstrate an ecological assessment and mapping approach that incorporates both top-down (volunteer marine scientists) and bottom-up (divers/community) engagement aspects of citizen science, applied at a subtropical reef at Point Lookout, Southeast Queensland, Australia. Marine scientists trained fifty citizen scientists in survey techniques that included mapping of habitat features, recording of substrate, fish and invertebrate composition, and quantifying impacts (e.g., occurrence of substrate damage, presence of litter). In 2014 these volunteers conducted four seasonal surveys along semi-permanent transects, at five sites, across three reefs. The project presented is a model on how citizen science can be conducted in a marine environment through collaboration of volunteer researchers, non-researchers and local marine authorities. Significant differences in coral and algal cover were observed among the three sites, while fluctuations in algal cover were also observed seasonally. Differences in fish assemblages were apparent among sites and seasons, with subtropical fish groups observed more commonly in colder seasons. The least physical damage occurred in the most exposed sites (Flat Rock) within the highly protected marine park zones. The broad range of data collected through this top-down/bottom-up approach to citizen science exemplifies the projects' value and application for identifying ecosystem trends or patterns. The results of the project support natural resource and marine park management, providing a valuable contribution to existing scientific knowledge and the conservation of local reefs.

Fig 1. Location of the study site within Moreton Bay Region, South East Coast Queensland, Australia (Left panel).

Point Lookout dive sites offshore of North Stradbroke Island are indicated by the white box, (Right Panel) the offshore dive sites at Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island with Marine Park zonation marked in red and green. The study transect locations are indicated in yellow. Source background image: Landsat Thematic Mapper 5, USGS (http://earthexplorer.usgs.gov).

Fig 2. Example habitat map.

The habitat map created for Shag Rock, Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island, Australia using GIS data and significant feature recording of the benthos. GIS data are available online [44].

Fig 3. Benthic composition of the Point Lookout transect sites derived from a photo transect approach.

(a.) Substrate cover type for each of the five transects at, Shag Rock, Flat Rock and Manta Ray Bommie averaged over the four seasons, and (b.) Substrate cover type per site for each season.

Fig 4. Indicator invertebrates—urchins.

Average abundance of indicator urchins for all Point Lookout sites. Error bars indicate standard deviation.

Fig 5. Reef Impacts for each of the Point Lookout dive sites.

Normalised cumulative abundance of reef impacts weighted by coral cover per site across surveys.

Fig 6. Coral Health at Point Lookout.

The average coral health observed for each season based on CoralWatch coral health chart readings at the five transect sites at Point Lookout, Australia. The error bars represent the range of the average dark to average light scores that were recorded.

Fig 7. Seasonal changes of different trophic groups of fish.

Seasonal abundance (+- SD) of predators, corallivores and omnivores, invertivores and herbivores averaged for each season at the Point Lookout Dive Sites.