the reef biota at Wilsons promontory marine national - Parks Victoria

Parks Victoria Technical Series #74SRMP Wilsons Promontory MNPabalone and the carapace length of rock lobsters were measured in situ using Verniercallipers and the sex of rock lobsters was recorded. Selected specimens were photographedor collected for identification and preservation in a reference collection.2.2.5. Method 3 – MacroalgaeThe area covered by macrophyte species was quantified by placing a 0.25 m 2 quadrat at10 m intervals along the transect line and determining the percent cover of all macrophytespecies (Figure 2.4). The quadrat was divided into a grid of 7 x 7 perpendicular wires, with 49wire intersections and one quadrat corner making up 50 points. Cover is estimated bycounting the number of points covering a species (1.25 m 2 every 10 m along a 200 mtransect line). The dominant observed seaweed species are listed in Table 2.5. Macroalgaeand seagrass (Method 3) taxa censused in central Victoria.Selected specimens were photographed or collected for identification and preservation in areference collection.Figure 2.4. The cover of macrophytes is measured by the number of points intersecting each specieson the quadrat grid.2.2.6. Method 4 – MacrocystisWhere present, the density of string kelp Macrocystis pyrifera was estimated. Whileswimming along the transect line between quadrat positions for Method 3, a diver counted all19