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T1 Monitoring Coral Reefs for Global Change - Reference Methods for Marine Pollution Studies No. 61
A1 United Nations Environment Programme, 
K1 coral reef
K1 environmental aspect
K1 data processing
K1 logistics
K1 climate change
K1 environmental monitoring
K1 coastal area
K1 marine ecosystem
K1 environmental degradation
K1 living marine resource
YR 1993
FD 1993
LK https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/31571
UL https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/31571
NO This technical reference manual sets out standardized methods for long-term monitoring of coral reefs to detect environmental change. It was produced following an expert meeting on a global monitoring system for coastal and near-shore phenomena related to climate change, and it adopts field protocols developed through a regional collaboration involving Southeast Asian countries and Australian marine scientists. The document explains how to select reefs and sites that are suitable for repeat surveys, and it specifies a core set of ambient environmental measurements, including temperature, salinity, light penetration, cloud cover, wind, and visibility, using practical, low-cost equipment. It then details two main survey approaches: a manta tow survey for rapid, broad-scale assessment of benthic condition and major disturbances, and a line intercept transect method for characterizing sessile benthic communities using lifeform categories along fixed-length transects at defined depths. The manual stresses observer training, standardization, and strict protocols for data entry. It also describes a relational database structure linking sample information, biological observations, and ambient data to enable consistent storage, retrieval, and analysis across monitoring sites and years.
DS UN Environment Document Repository
RD Sep 24, 2026