Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef
Assessment (AGRRA)
Benthic Surveys
(Basic/Level 1 Survey Methods)
By Julie Galkiewicz
SNI - Tarpon Springs
(updated 11/2011)
Outline
• Why should we use AGRRA?
• How do we use AGRRA?
– Two different parts
– Types of measurements
Why AGRRA?
• Used by professionals (Dr. Beth and Dr.
Chris!)
• Used throughout the GoM and Atlantic
• Lots of different types of data
– Coral spp. and overall environment
• Different levels of difficulty
– We’ll use Basic, work up to Intermediate
What is AGRRA?
• Used to rapidly assess the reef environment
– Looks at coral cover, diseases, bottom types,
presence of harmful/helpful species
– Experienced researchers can complete two full
AGRRA surveys in an hour
• Two different parts
– Point count and coral recruits
– Belt transect
Step 1 - Above the Water!
• Record on the data sheets
– Your name
– Date
– Site name, Number (first or second site
visited?)
– Long & Lat (ask the Captain!)
– Reef type - Patch/Sponge
Step 2 - Below the Water!
• Lay the transect line
– Don’t overlap with
another group
– Want it to lie along
the reef
• Write down depth at
0, 10 m
• Water temp
• Time you start
Point Count
Step 3: Point Count
• Transect is 10 meters long, marked
every 1 meter
• Meter stick is marked every 10 cm
• Write down the bottom type under each
10 cm mark
– Sand, Rubble, Pavement
– Live Coral, Dead Coral
– Macroalgae, Turf Algae, Sponges,
Gorgonians
Point Count
10 m
Point Count
3m
0m
Sand
Macroalgae
2m
Rubble
Sponge
Point Count
Different Bottom types - 1
1c
1b
1a
Point Count
Different Bottom types - 2
2b
2a
2c
Point Count
Different Bottom types - 3
3a
3b
Point Count
Step 4: Quadrats!
• Every other meter
– 5 quadrat measurements per transect line
• Place quadrat next to line
– Record every baby coral (coral recruit) smaller
than 2 cm
– Main substrate type in the quadrat
• Live coral, Dead coral, Pavement, Rubble, Sand, Other
Point Count
10 m
Quadrats
9
7
5
3
0m
1
Sand
Macroalgae
Sponge
Coral
Belt Transect
Belt Transects
• Point Counts give us a general overview
of different bottom types
• Belt Transects focus in on corals
– Size, diseases, bleaching
Belt Transect
What is a “Belt Transect”?
• Uses a “belt” or
wider area around
the transect line
• 50 cm on each side,
1 m total width
• Measures more of
the small corals
From AGRRA v5 Protocol
Belt Transect
Measuring Corals
• Along the Springs
Coast, most of our
corals are small
• Measurements
estimate total
volume
– Length, width, height
?
?
Belt Transect
1. Find the direction
the coral is growing
•
Up? Diagonally?
2. Look directly down
at the coral from
the direction it’s
growing in
Belt Transect
3. Find the longest
diameter looking
down from above.
4. Perpendicular to
that line, find the
widest part.
Belt Transect
5. Using the direction
of growth, measure
the height of the
coral
Belt Transect
Special Measurements
• But what if the coral
has tipped over?
What do you
measure?
Height
Width
Summary
• Most important!
– RECORD DATA
CORRECTLY!
• Ask for help if you
need it
• This is YOUR data,
find ways to use it