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RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

Conservation value of a subtropical reef in south-eastern Queensland, Australia, highlighted by citizen-science efforts

Monique G. G. Grol https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7788-6768 A B C M , Julie Vercelloni A D , Tania M. Kenyon A D E , Elisa Bayraktarov A F , Cedric P. van den Berg A G H , Daniel Harris I J , Jennifer A. Loder A C K , Morana Mihaljević A J L , Phebe I. Rowland A and Chris M. Roelfsema A I J
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A UniDive, The University of Queensland Underwater Club, 159 Sir William MacGregor Drive, Saint Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia.

B CoralWatch, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, QBI Building 79, Research Road, Saint Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia.

C Reef Citizen Science Alliance, Conservation Volunteers Australia, Ballarat, PO Box 423, Vic 3353, Australia.

D Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Sir George Fisher Research Building, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia.

E Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Goddard Building 8, University Dr, Saint Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia.

F Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, Goddard Building 8, University Dr, Saint Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia.

G Visual Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Goddard Building 8, University Dr, Saint Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia.

H Sensory Neurophysiology Lab, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, QBI Building 79, Research Road, Saint Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia.

I Remote Sensing Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, Chamberlain Building 35, Campbell Rd, Saint Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia.

J School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, Chamberlain Building 35, Campbell Rd, Saint Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia.

K Reef Check Australia, Brisbane, 1/377 Montague Road, West End, Qld 4101, Australia.

L Science Lab UZH, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.

M Corresponding author. Email: mgggrol@hotmail.com

Marine and Freshwater Research 72(1) 1-13 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF19170
Submitted: 13 May 2019  Accepted: 9 April 2020   Published: 22 May 2020

Journal Compilation © CSIRO 2021 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND

Abstract

Subtropical reefs are important habitats for many marine species and for tourism and recreation. Yet, subtropical reefs are understudied, and detailed habitat maps are seldom available. Citizen science can help fill this gap, while fostering community engagement and education. In this study, 44 trained volunteers conducted an ecological assessment of subtropical Flinders Reef using established Reef Check and CoralWatch protocols. In 2017, 10 sites were monitored to provide comprehensive information on reef communities and to estimate potential local drivers of coral community structure. A detailed habitat map was produced by integrating underwater photos, depth measurements, wave-exposure modelling and satellite imagery. Surveys showed that coral cover ranged from 14% to 67%. Site location and wave exposure explained 47% and 16% respectively, of the variability in coral community composition. Butterflyfishes were the most abundant fish group, with few invertebrates being observed during the surveys. Reef impacts were three times lower than on other nearby subtropical reefs. These findings can be used to provide local information to spatial management and Marine Park planning. To increase the conservation benefits and to maintain the health of Flinders Reef, we recommend expanding the current protection zone from 500- to a 1000-m radius.

Additional keywords: benthic substrate mapping, coral composition, CoralWatch, ecological assessment, Moreton Bay, Reef Check Australia, subtropical reefs, wave exposure.


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