Methodology
Restoration & Control Area Monitoring
Ecosystem-level and bommie/cell-level monitoring of outplant, control, and reference areas, plus outplant maintenance.
Restoration area and control area are monitored at the ecosystem level and at the bommie/cell level.
Coming soon: Ecosystem-level monitoring is being re-defined in Spatial Intelligence. Until this is ready to be reliably used, the methods below are followed.
Bommie-Level (Outplant, Control)
In-water monitoring of each bommie/cell in outplant and control areas by Gardeners to estimate:
- % live coral cover
- % survival
- % bleaching of outplants
Done in pairs — each Gardener estimates and records their monitoring of each bommie.
In-water monitoring should be conducted:
| Timing | Trigger |
|---|---|
| Before outplant (on cleaned bommie/cell) | Pre-outplant baseline |
| Immediately after outplant | T0 |
| Annually — before next year's outplant | Pre-outplant check |
| Annually — after each year's outplant | Post-outplant check |
Ecosystem-Level (Restoration, Control, Reference)
Transects
Fish/invertebrate/recruit/benthic cover transects should be completed:
| Timing | Trigger |
|---|---|
| Before any manipulation (cleaning, tagging) to the area | Initial baseline |
| 1 year after completion of outplant | First-year check |
| Annually — before next outplant season | Pre-outplant check |
Outplant Maintenance
Our restoration sites are our most important product. Therefore, maintenance of the outplant, and control of threats to it, takes precedence over all other restoration activities. Outplant sites should be maintained as required, and it is up to the restoration manager to adjust maintenance as needed.
- Macroalgae should be cleared from the restoration site annually, and as frequently as required as determined by the branch restoration manager.
- Cyanobacteria should be cleared as often as required (potentially 1× per week during hot season).
- Tags / cell markers must be maintained and replaced as required to ensure they are clear and accurate.