Abstract:
A number of Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) research activities involve monitoring different aspects of coral reefs. Surveys of coral community structure, composition and diversity were carried out at nearshore reefs of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. 466 sites on 96 reefs between Mackay and Cooktown (latitude 14-21 degrees South) were surveyed between 1994 and 1997 to a depth of 20m. The aim of the study was to characterise nearshore coral communities in this region. Hard corals were identified to species level and rated by relative abundance. 285 species from 69 genera are represented in this dataset. This data was collected by scuba divers and snorkelers.
Quality
Data is from published data and collections available in research centres; taxonomic accuracy relies on these measures.
Access Constraints
None
Use Constraints
Acknowledge the use of specific records from contributing databases in the form appearing in the 'Citation' field thereof (if any); and acknowledge the use of the OBIS facility.
For information purposes, email to obissupport@marine.rutgers.edu the full citation of any publication made (printed or electronic) that cites OBIS or any constituent part.
DeVantier, L.M., G. De'ath, T.J. Done and E. Turak. 1998. Ecological assessments of a complex natural system: a case study from the Great Barrier Reef. Ecological Applications 9: 480-496.
Devantier LM, De'ath G, Turak E, Done TJ, Fabricius KE (2006). Species richness and community structure of reef-building corals on the nearshore Great Barrier Reef. Coral Reefs (in press).
