Abstract

Two NCCOS benthic habitat survey methods were compared to determine their effectiveness in estimating percent cover of marine benthos within the Tortugas Ecological Reserve (TER). Each survey method was conducted simultaneously by two separate divers along linear transects on nine sites. One representative diver from CCMA collected in situ estimates on percent cover of idnvidual species and major species groups (corals, macroalgae and gorgonians) within four 1m^{2 quadrat surveys at random points within 5m intervals along the length of the reef transect. Data were averaged from the four quadrats to obtain synoptic representative estimates of the variables (Caldow et al., in press). One representative CCHFR diver collected 1m2 digital photo quadrats at every meter along the length of the reef transect. CCFHR images were post processed to estimate percent cover using Point Count for Coral Reefs software (Wheaton et al., 2001). Data on the percent cover of major species and species groups (corals, macroalgae and gorgonians) were analyzed between methodologies, as well as effort and cost efficiency among methods. Large differences in estimates of percent cover are not expected, but differences in effort and cost efficiency are anticipated. While several methods to survey benthic habitats have been compared and recommended (Leujak and Ormand, 2007), this investigation focused specifically on the advantages and disadvantages of each method with respect to the collection of benthic habitat data pertinent to the management questions and needs of the TER.}