Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) of coral biodiversity and reef health in the Banda Islands, Maluku, eastern Indonesia

In 2002, the fringing reefs at eighteen locations around the six major islands and associated islets in the Banda Islands were surveyed. At each site, the reef was assessed by taking an inventory of scleractinian coral species, habitat characteristics and reef health over sections of reef from 100 to 300m in length. Fifteen of the eighteen sites were sampled at two depths: shallow (surface to 8-10m) and deep (>12m, maximum to 50m).An inventory of scleractinian coral species was compiled per site, and each species assigned a relative abundance score. Where in situ identification of coral species was not possible, notes and digital images were taken and samples collected, to consult with references. When necessary, small coral samples were collected, labelled and taken to Australia for identification.A series of site characteristics were noted in a semi-quantitative manner. These were depth range, slope, bottom cover of the major benthic groups, physical structure, reef development level, exposure rating and visibility. Visual estimates were also made of the percent cover of benthos in the following biotic categories: hard coral, soft coral, macroalgae, turf algae, coralline algae and dead coral.Reef health was determined by assessing the severity of the damage a reef had incurred due to the following factors: anchor damage, silt from the land, blast fishing, coral disease, coral predators (the gastropod snail, Drupella sp. and the crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster planci) and coral bleaching. Damage was rated on a five point scale from 0 (not seen ) to 4 (serious damage). The relative contribution of each factor to the total damage observed was also recorded. The objectives of this component of the REA survey were:1. to survey the coral reefs of the Banda archipelago, to obtain an index of the coral biodiversity in the area2. to assess the health of the coral reefs, giving special attention to human impacts The Nature Conservancy was commissioned to undertake this research by UNESCO. The overall objectives of the Rapid Ecological Assessment were:1. to assess the status of coastal and marine biodiversity, focusing on corals, fish, mangroves, seagrass beds, and other marine biota2. to identify areas in the Banda archipelago that would be eligible for a site conservation program considering the present biodiversity status, the status of the threats to biodiversity, and the likelihood of conservation success.3. to help in assessing whether Banda is a candidate for designation as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site.

2002年，研究人员对班达群岛（Banda Islands）六座主要岛屿及附属小岛周边18个地点的边缘礁（fringing reefs）开展了调查。在每个调查点，通过编制造礁石珊瑚（scleractinian coral）物种清单、记录栖息地特征及评估100至300米长礁段的健康状况，完成对珊瑚礁的综合评估。18个调查点中的15个在两个深度层进行采样：浅层（水面至8-10米）和深层（>12米，最大深度达50米）。

每个调查点均编制了造礁石珊瑚物种清单，并为各物种赋予相对丰度评分。若无法现场（in situ）鉴定珊瑚物种，则记录相关信息、拍摄数字图像并采集样本，以便后续参考资料进行鉴定；必要时，采集小型珊瑚样本并标记后送往澳大利亚完成鉴定。

研究以半定量方式记录了一系列调查点特征，包括深度范围、坡度、主要底栖生物类群的底质覆盖度、物理结构、礁体发育水平、暴露等级及能见度。同时，对以下生物类群的底栖生物覆盖百分比进行了视觉估计：硬珊瑚、软珊瑚、大型藻类、turf algae、珊瑚藻及死珊瑚。

珊瑚礁健康状况通过评估礁体因以下因素遭受损害的严重程度来确定：锚泊损害、陆源淤泥、炸鱼（blast fishing）、珊瑚疾病、珊瑚捕食者（腹足类螺Drupella属及棘冠海星Acanthaster planci）以及珊瑚白化（coral bleaching）。损害程度采用5分制评分：0分（未发现损害）至4分（严重损害）。此外，还记录了各因素对观测到的总损害的相对贡献。

快速生态评估（Rapid Ecological Assessment, REA）中本部分调查的目标为：
1. 调查班达群岛的珊瑚礁，获取该区域珊瑚生物多样性指数；
2. 评估珊瑚礁健康状况，特别关注人类活动的影响。

自然保护协会（The Nature Conservancy）受联合国教科文组织（UNESCO）委托开展此项研究。快速生态评估的总体目标包括：
1. 评估海岸与海洋生物多样性现状，重点关注珊瑚、鱼类、红树林、海草床及其他海洋生物群；
2. 识别班达群岛中符合地点保护计划的区域，综合考量当前生物多样性状况、生物多样性面临的威胁状态及保护成功的可能性；
3. 协助评估班达群岛是否适合列为UNESCO世界自然遗产地。