Dashboard displaying sun coral monitoring data.
A dashboard is an incredibly valuable tool that empowers users to effortlessly visualize and make sense of complex data. By acting as a centralized hub, it presents a wealth of essential metrics, trends, and insights in a visually captivating format. This makes it an ideal solution for environmental agencies seeking to acquire valuable resources for the Early Detection - Quick Response (EDQR) of invasive species. In this documentation, we will explore the pivotal components of data interpretation in the Sun Coral Monitoring Dashboard - PACS REBIO Arvoredo. The dashboard was developed using QGIS to digitize de database and the R to develop the dashboard.
Spatial reference The monitoring data is obtained in localities, in the locality is defined a segment, and in the extension of a segment are obtained information linked to 1 minute transects recorded by the divers.
Snorkelling - Floatation In the depth range of zero to 2 meters of the sampling segment, monitoring will be carried out by a snorkelling diver. The diver will search within this depth range, covering the sampling segment and looking for possible occurrences of sun coral. Autonomous Diving The active search technique for sun coral colonies will be employed in each sampling segment. Autonomous diving samples will be conducted by two pairs of divers. The operational area for each pair will be determined by depth ranges (e.g., from 0 to 8m and from 9 to 15m) along the rocky shore, aiming to cover the greatest vertical extension possible. The division of scanning depths between the pairs may vary depending on the bathymetric characteristics of each sampling segment.
To classify the invasion levels in the sampled segments, we utilize a semi-quantitative scale of abundance known as the DAFOR scale (Sutherland, 2006), specifically adapted for assessing the abundance of sun coral (Creed & Fleury, 2009). The scale assigns values to each relative abundance class, which are described as follows:
Dominant: This category represents highly evident populations that form predominantly monospecific patches of at least 1m². These patches contain numerous isolated colonies and/or smaller patches scattered throughout the substrate. Abundant: Clusters within this category form essentially monospecific patches ranging from 50 to 100 cm in diameter. Similar to the dominant category, isolated colonies and/or small scattered patches can be observed throughout the substrate. Frequent: This class includes isolated colonies and/or small patches ranging from 10 to 50 cm in diameter, scattered across the substrate. Occasional: Here, we have less than 10 colonies or small patches smaller than 10 cm in diameter, but with more than 5 scattered colonies throughout the substrate. Rare: This category encompasses instances where between 1 and 5 colonies are sparsely scattered throughout the substrate. Absent: In this class, no records of sun coral occurrences are found. During the assessment process, divers move along transects delimited by 1 minute of sampling. Observations made on the DAFOR scale are then converted to a relative abundance index (RAI) using the following classification: 10 - dominant, 8 - abundant, 6 - frequent, 4 - occasional, 2 - rare; zero - absent.
For each monitored segment, we record information about the geomorphological structure of the rocky shores. The aim is to document the presence of different geomorphologies on a semi-quantitative scale of area, which helps identify and quantify the relevant structures related to the occurrence and absence of sun coral. The assessment method is described in Silveira et al. (2023).
The assessed geomorphologies are as follows:
Crevices and Cracks (CrCr): Refers to grooves and openings ranging from 10cm to 50cm on the rocky shore, where full diver access is hindered. Boulders and Cliffs (BC): Large rocks with irregular shapes, typically exceeding 5 meters in height and width. Cliffs consist of vertical walls of consolidated substrate. Small and Medium Rocks (SMR): Medium rocks have a height and diameter between 2 and 5 meters, while small rocks are smaller than 2 meters in diameter and height (Figure 8). Flat Slabs (FS): Smooth rock areas with minimal complexity, spanning more than 5 meters in extent (Figure 9). Caves and Caverns (CC): Locations where divers can enter and observe the interior (Figure 10). The characterization of geomorphology is classified using a semi-quantitative scale of area. Each geomorphology is evaluated and assigned a relative area coverage class based on the DAFOR scale (Sutherland, 2006):
Dominant: Occupies 51% to 100% of the area, highly evident and dominant in the landscape. Abundant: Occupies 31% to 50% of the area, present but not exceeding 50% of the total area. Frequent: Occupies 16% to 30% of the area. Occasional: Occupies 6% to 15% of the area. Rare: Occupies 1% to 5% of the area. Absent: No records of occurrences. During the assessment, divers move along transects delimited by 5 minutes of sampling. Observations for each geomorphology are classified on the scale and converted into a relative area coverage index for the geomorphology (RACIGeo) using the following classification: 10 - dominant, 8 - abundant, 6 - frequent, 4 - occasional, 2 - rare; zero - absent. These values are then used to calculate the Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) using the equation (Silveira et al., 2023):
HSI=(CrCr+BC+SMR+(−1∗(FS−10))+(−1∗(CC−10)))/5
Transects with Sun Coral (TWSC): Number of sun coral transects within the locality limits. This metric compensates for the low relative abundances assessed by DAFOR. Selecting a date controls the displayed data period on the map. Habitat Suitability Index (HSI): Average HSI value calculated for the locality. Selecting a date controls the displayed data period on the map. TWSC/1000m: Number of sun coral transects within the locality limits per 1000 meters of monitoring effort. Selecting a date controls the displayed data period on the map. Number of Transects by Locality (NTL): Number of transects within the locality. Selecting a date controls the displayed data period on the map Days since the last management: Computes days elapsed since last management. Days since the last check: Computes days elapsed since last check.
Occurrence: Historical records of sun coral occurrences within REBIO Arvoredo Limits. The data is despaired with TWSC once the data using the DAFOR protocol started to be gathered in January/2023. Selecting a date controls the displayed data period on the map. DAFOR: Raw data recorded during monitoring. Selecting a date controls the displayed data period on the map. Geomorphology: Raw data recorded during monitoring. Selecting a date controls the displayed data period on the map. Target Location: Locations in the PACS Arvoredo project. Locality: Limits and nomenclature of the localities within REBIO Arvoredo. REBIO Limits: Limits of the REBIO Arvoredo Conservation Unit.
Monitored location: Number of localities monitored at REBIO and surroundings.
Number of segments: The segment is a line representing where the divers did the monitoring protocol, this box shows the count.
Transects with sun coral: Transect is part of segment obtained in one minute of active search. Here is showed the count of segments positive for sun coral occurrence.
Dive Time: Sun of dive time by all pair of divers in the monitoring data.
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