Oliver et al (2004) Monitoring bleaching

Designing a Program for your needs
In the previous sections we have had a quick look at what bleaching is, and what basic actions should
be taken if you see bleaching. Before describing the detailed procedures for taking the various
measurements recommended, it is important to take a bit of time to consider how to decide exactly
what questions you wish to address, what measurements are most appropriate and where and how
often they should be taken. While a set protocol in which everyone records the same measurements
might seem to be the best approach, this is not likely to work in practice. The unique circumstances and
sets of questions faced by different organizations and teams will require different monitoring programs.
In many people have particular methods or procedures that they prefer because of their skill or
experience. In many instances, alternat methods can provide similar data that can still be compared
across programs. Thus the most effective approach is to carefully identify the objectives of the
monitoring initiative and to then design a program from a list of commonly used and comparable
procedures to best suit the specific questions, and local environment, resources and logistics.
The design of a monitoring and assessment program for coral bleaching should be approached in the
same way as any monitoring program. A logical top-down approach should be used, beginning with the
identification of the specific objectives (often phrased in the form of a question) and the area over
which the question is addressed (global, national, a reef, a dive spot). This should be followed by the
selection of variables to measure, methods for measurement and sampling site and frequency. Only
after all these issues have been resolved should any field work be commenced. This is especially
important when a substantial investment in time and resources is to be made in monitoring a bleaching
event or events. However some careful thought about objectives and spatial scales will also result in
more relevant and reliable information even when assessment is limited to casual observations and
questionnaires. The following steps should always be followed in the development of any protocol.
The design of a monitoring and assessment program for coral bleaching should be approach in the same
way as any monitoring program. A logical top down approach should be used, beginning with the
identification of the specific objectives and (often phrased in the form of a question) and the area over
which the question is addressed (global, national, a reef, a dive spot). This should be followed by the
selection of variables to measure, methods for measurement and sampling site and frequency. Only
after all these issues have been resolved should any field work be commenced. This is especially
important when a substantial investment in time and resources is to be made in monitoring bleaching
events. However some careful thought about objectives and spatial scales will also result in more
relevant and reliable information even when assessment is limited to causal observations and
questionnaires. The following ten steps should always be followed in the development of any protocol
1. Identify question
2. Clarify spatial and temporal scope
3. Choose the best method from the options available
4. Choose the right variables to suit the question and scope
5. Select a sampling strategy to suit the methods, questions and scope
6. Carry out the field work
7. Enter the data
8. Check the data
9. Analyse the data or submit it for analysis by others
10. Store the data securely, or lodge it with a another database
Typical Questions/Objectives
In theory, there is an unlimited number of questions which could be posed in relation to coral
bleaching. The more specific the question which is being asked, the more specific the design of the
monitoring program can be. This will more likely will result in data which can unambiguously answer
to the questions. Vague questions like “Is bleaching affecting the health of the reef” can provide
frustratingly vague answers such as: “This depends on the measure you use for reef health” or “Yes in
some places and depths for some species, but not for others” Often, if some thought is given to the
general questions being posed, it turns out that they can, and should be separated out in to several more
specific questions, each of which need to be addressed separately in determining the optimum
monitoring protocol. It is possible to design a monitoring program that can efficiently address more
than one question, but there is a great risk that vague questions will result in a monitoring program
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