Science Advisory Report 2021/048
A National Monitoring Framework for Coral and Sponge Areas Identified as Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures
Summary
- This advice provides national guidance on the selection of monitoring indicators along with the tools, techniques, methodologies, and ecological monitoring design of coral and sponge other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs). Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) regions can utilize this advice while adapting it as appropriate for their individual OECMs.
- For efficient monitoring, corals and sponges have been grouped based on their characteristics, habitat type, or ecological function. These groupings will facilitate the discussion and development of monitoring plans and aid in understanding coral and sponge biodiversity conservation benefits (BCBs).
- Baseline data are required to develop ecological monitoring plans. The level of baseline knowledge for existing coral and sponge OECMs was summarized to determine where gaps exist and where efforts should be focused to collect additional data.
- Indirect biodiversity conservation benefits were reviewed, and multiple indirect BCBs are likely to exist within each OECM. However, to ensure efficient design of monitoring, priority should be placed on monitoring direct BCBs.
- Several criteria were used to select suitable ecological indicators for coral and sponge OECMs. Ecological indicators should include both state and stressor types. The conservation objective(s) as well as the availability of data need to be considered when choosing indicators for monitoring specific OECMs.
- Monitoring plans should include short- and long-term indicators which are able to inform management actions and detect ecological trends. It was recognized that time scales for short-term and long-term indicators will vary depending on the OECM, the conservation objectives, and the corals and sponges that are being assessed. The monitoring timeframes should be revisited as knowledge of the coral and sponge communities improves.
- Best practices were reviewed for monitoring the direct and indirect BCBs of coral and sponge OECMs with a comprehensive overview of potential tools, techniques, and methodologies as well as their strengths and limitations. These should be shared across regions to encourage consistency where practical, recognizing that regional differences will need to be taken into consideration.
- Indicator selection, coral and sponge groupings, monitoring tools, techniques, methodologies, and sampling design should be reviewed as knowledge increases and technological advances occur.
This Science Advisory Report is from the December 1 to 3, 2020 National Peer Review on A National Monitoring Framework for Coral and Sponge Areas Identified as Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures. Additional publications from this meeting will be posted on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science Advisory Schedule as they become available.
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