A series of surveys were carried out on the northern reef at Balaclava as part of a UNESCO/COMARAF training workshop on coral reef ecology and management, held 1-12 October 1990.Line transects (20 m long) estimated percent cover of benthic attributes (Att.), non-colonised substrate (Coral rock, Dead coral, Rubble, Sand) and other benthos. Corals were identified to species where possible and the number (No.) of each colony was recorded. The maximum lateral dimension (Dia.) of each coral intercepted by the tape and an extimated of coral injury (Inj.) were also recorded.Belt transects were used to restimate composition, density and size frequency distribution of corals (12 x 0.6 m, divided into 4 m segments). Fish data recorded a tally of each type (species, family) observed as present or passing through 2 belt transects (50 x 4 m). Belt transects (100 x 0.6 m, 100 x 2 m, divided into 10 m segments) were also used to record the densities of 4 urchin species within 0.3 m of the tape for Echinometra mathaei and Echinostrephus mollaris; and within 1.0 m for Diadema setosum and Tripneustes gratilla. To train participants in basic survey methods and analyses using a local reef. Balaclava is also known as Baie de l'Arsenal.Coral species: Acropora grandis; Alveopora mortensoni; Astreopora myriopthalma; Echinophyllia orpheensis; Favia flexuosa; F. paliida, F. speciosa, F. stelligera, Favia sp.; Favites abdita; Favites sp.; Fungia repanda; Galaxea fascicularis; Goniastrea pectinata, Goniastrea sp., Goniastrea spat; Montipora danae, M. grisea, M. incrassate, M. spumosa, M. tuberculosa; Mycedium elephantotus; Pavona cactus, P. decussata, P. varians, P. venosa; Platygyra daedalea; Porites cylindrica; Porites massive; Porites nigrescens; Porites rus.Fish families: Acanthuridae; Chaetodontidae; Labridae; Lethrinidae; Lutjanidae; Pomacentridae; Scaridae; Serranidae; Siganidae.Echinoderm species: Diadema setosum; Echinometra mathaei; Echinostrephus mollaris; Tripneustes gratilla.

Surveys of 4 coral reefs (Balaclava, Blue Bay, Point du Diable, Trou aux Biches) were carried out as part of a UNESCO/COMARAF training workshop on coral taxonomy and management of coral reefs, held 18-28 October 1988.Specimens were collected from Trou aux Biches for taxonomy determinations.Surveys to define coral associations were carried out at Balaclava, Point du Diable and Trou aux Biches. Each species seen during a 20 min swim was recorded and given a score based on its relative contribution to total (hard and soft) coral cover (1 = 1-5%; 2 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-30%; 4 = 31-80%; 5 = >80%). In addition, the following site characteristics were recorded: maximum and minimum depth; slope; % hard substrate; % hard coral; % dead standing hard coral; % soft coral; % macroalgae; % sponge; % cover substate (continuous limestone platform; large blocks > 1 m; small blocks 0.1-1 m; mud; rubble; sand).Line transect (30 m) surveys to estimate percent coral cover and size frequency distribution were conducted at Blue Bay (8) and Trou aux Biches (3). Coral (identified to species where possible), substrate or other benthic organims were recorded (l = live; d = dead; a = algae; n = non-colonisable substrate; c = colonisable substrate; s =sponge).Quadrat stereophotographs were taken at Trou aux Biches to demonstrate this monitoring technique. To train participants in basic survey methods and analyses on local reefs. Coral species: Acropora; Acropora 'bottlebrush'; Acropora 'nobilis'; Acropora aculeus; Acropora clathrata; Acropora elseyi; Acropora florida; Acropora gemmifera; Acropora hemprichi; Acropora hyacinthus; Acropora hyacinthus; Acropora pharonis; Acropora robusta; Acropora tenuis; Acropora variabilis; Alveopora sp.; Echinopora gemmacea; Echinopora lamellosa; Favia stelligera; Favites sp.; Fungia sp.; Galaxea fascicularis; Goniastrea retiformis; Goniopora sp.; Hydnophora exesa; Leptroia phrygia; Millepora platyphylla; Millepora tenera; Montipora circumvallata; Montipora sp.; Pavona cactus; Pavona varians; Pocillopora; Porites massive.Algae identified: Turbinaria ornata.

The abundance of newly settled corals following the 2009 and 2010 annual coral spawning peaks was measured in the northern half of Ningaloo Reef at eleven locations between Coral Bay, Tantabiddi and Bundegi. An annual influx of coral recruits were detected at all locations, using terracotta tiles deployed by divers on the reef using permanent tile mounting fixtures, then subsequently retrieved and counted under a dissecting microscope. This study has measured annual coral recruitment rates at Ningaloo Reef using deployed tiles, but has also had a particular focus on evaluating some alternative methods for coral juvenile census. Deploying, recovering and assessing tiles is labor intensive, requires use of SCUBA and a specialist using a microscope in the laboratory for census of the tiles. A key aim of this project has been to understand the tradeoffs associated with simplified and more cost-effective approaches. The objective was to assess methods that could still yield robust research data, yet utilize non-specialist regional DEC staff for routine field surveys, maximizing the effectiveness of Perth-based specialist research staff for more complex analytical tasks.

Transects of the coral colonies at 21 sites in American Samoa were surveyed by Dr. Charles Birkeland during an underwater swim in March 2002. Data for each coral species include abundance and size distribution of the colonies. The living coral cover can be estimated from the size distribution data.

Species richness, cover and community structure of reef-building corals were assessed at 599 sites on 135 reefs along the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) between 1994 and 2001, with a focus on the nearshore area. Reefs were surveyed using a standard method of Rapid Ecological Assessment. On each reef, from 1 to 31 habitats were surveyed in up to 3 depth zones (sites), comprising (a) the shallow reef flat and crest; (b) the shallow reef slope (between 3 and 7m depth); and (c) the deeper reef slope (maximum depth of 16m) respectively. At each site, an inventory of reef-building corals was compiled. Approximately 600 of the ~2,400 reefs of the GBR are located nearshore. The biological structure and ecological status of many nearshore reefs remain relatively poorly understood. This gap in knowledge was addressed by undertaking the first broad-scale assessment of nearshore reefs along >75% of the length of the GBR focusing on patterns in the species composition, richness and community structure of reef-building corals. Haphazardly-chosen starting positions were recorded with a portable Global Positioning System. The swims took an average of 45 min and covered varying distances along the slope; generally areas were surveyed until no new taxa had been encountered for some time. Corals were identified to species level wherever possible, otherwise to genus and growth form (e.g. massive Porites). At the end of each site survey, the abundance of each taxon was recorded in six broad abundance categories - absent, rare, uncommon, common, abundant, or dominant. A visual estimate of average cover of live hard coral was also made, recorded in 6 categories: 0=0%, 1=1-10%, 2=11-30%, 3=31-50%, 4=51-75%, 5=76-100%. Data have been used for the e-Atlas: http://e-atlas.org.au/content/hard-coral-biodiversity-surveys-gbr A subset of the data has been provided to the Ocean Biogeographic Information System: Australian Institute of Marine Science - Great Barrier Reef nearshore coral diversity (https://obis.org/dataset/eee81b0b-6b72-4963-9f43-ff1631bbfea3)

Reef corals were surveyed at 45 sites in the Raja Ampat Islands, Papua Province, Indonesia, using rapid assessment methods, in 2001. Sites surveyed included a diverse range of habitats encompassing reefs and sediments within and around reefs. Habitats included sandy areas, walls, overhangs, slopes and shallow reef areas. Areas where few or no corals were expected to be found, such as sea grass beds and mangroves were not surveyed. Surveys were conducted using SCUBA to a maximum depth of 50m. The survey method consisted of direct underwater observation of corals, usually during a single 70 minute dive at each site. Corals were recorded on a slow ascent from the base of the reef, along a zigzag path to the shallowest part of the reef. Additional species were also recorded from outside the designated study sites.The primary group of corals surveyed were the zooxanthellate scleractinian corals. In addition, a small number of other coral taxa, which also contribute to the reef matrix were recorded. These included azooxanthellate scleractinian corals and non-scleractinian species.Corals that could not be identified in the field were photographed in situ and representative samples were collected and labelled for later identification. Specimens of Porites and Montipora were also collected for molecular studies. The aims of this survey were:1. to compile an inventory of corals on the reefs of the Raja Ampat Islands of Papua Province, Indonesia.2. to use this information to compare the faunal richness of these islands with other parts of Southeast Asia and adjoining regions. The Marine Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) is an initiative of Conservation International (CI). This survey was a component of the project "A marine rapid assessment of the Raja Ampat Islands, Papua Province, Indonesia".

All surveys were carried out by the principal researcher using Rapid Ecological Assessment. The dataset comprises 41 sites.Each site was surveyed with up to 5 transects (usually 200-300m long, 1-3m wide for 10-15 minutes) at pre-defined depths (1-3m, 3-8m, 8-13m, 13-18m and reef flat).Species recorded: octocorals (soft corals, gorgonians, sea fans, sea whips, sea pens, leather corals, arborescent octocorals, blue coral, stoloniferans), black and wire coral. Note that taxa were recorded mostly at generic level.Site variables comprise: visibility (a modified Secchi technique - estimating maximum visible distance of a bright object in metres); depth; exposure (very exposed, protected, exposed, moderate); orientation (E, NNE, etc.); formation (Point, Face, Bay/Inlet, Channel); slope angle (assigned to 5° categories); flowspeed (estimated by timing the traveling speed of suspended particles along a ruler at cm/second); wave exposure (0=sheltered to 4=very exposed); sediment deposit (0=none, 1=thin layer, 2=considerable, 3=thick layer); rubble % cover; sand % cover.Visual estimates of overall abundance (percent cover) were estimated in 2.5% increments from 1-10%, 5% increments from 10-30% and 10% increments over 30%). Categories are: hard corals, soft corals, dead coral, turf algae, coralline algae, macroalgae (conspicuous macroalgae - Halimeda and Sargassum - were recorded separately), and total percent cover including sand and silt.Octocoral genera (in some cases species) were given a taxon abundance ranking (0=absent, 1=rare, 2=uncommon, 3=common, 4=abundant, 5=dominant).Zooxanthellate and azooxanthellate richness was calculated based on the numbers of octocoral taxa with (or without) zooxanthellae.Site locations: Alotau Clubhouse, Barbara Reef, Double Tower, Lauwadi, Manta Station, Michelles, Observation Points (off Pier, off Village, off Volcano Lake), Pinnacle, Sulloviens patch, Wahoo Reef. To survey the cover of the main benthic groups, richness and abundance of octocorals in the reefs of Papua New Guinea and related spatial and water quality gradients.Because roughly half Octocorals have photosynthetic symbionts they are ideal to assess how biodiversity is related to spatial and environmental factors, and photosynthetic symbionts and energy supply.To examine principal drivers of biodiversity, community composition, and ranges ofcoral reef benthos. Comparable data are held for the Great Barrier Reef, Hong Kong, Palau, Torres Strait, and Rowley Shoals (WA).A subset of the data has been provided to the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS, http://www.iobis.org/OBISWEB/DisplayMetaData.jsp?content=meta/1461.html).