MCR LTER: Coral Reef: Long-term Population and Community Dynamics: Fishes

These data describe the species abundance and size distributions of fishes surveyed as part of MCR LTER's annual reef fish monitoring program. This study began in 2005 and the dataset is updated annually. The abundances of all mobile taxa of fishes (Scarids, Labrids, Acanthurids, Serranids, etc.) observed on a five by fifty meter transect which extends from the bottom to the surface of the water column are recorded by a diver using SCUBA. The diver then swims back along a one by fifty meter section of the original transect line and records the abundances of all non-mobile or cryptic taxa of fishes (Pomacentids, Gobiids, Cirrhitids, Holocentrids etc). Surveys are conducted between 0900 and 1600 hours (Moorea time) during late July or early August each year. In 2006, divers also began to estimate the size (length) of each fish observed to the nearest half cm. Four replicate transects are surveyed in each of six locations on the forereef (two on each of Moorea's three sides), six locations on the backreef (two on each of Moorea's three sides) and on six locations on the fringing reef (two on each of Moorea's three sides) for a total of 72 individual transects. Transects are permanently marked using a series of small, stainless steel posts affixed to the reef. Transects on the forereef are located at a depth of approximately 12m, those on the backreef are located at a depth of approximately 1.5m and those on the fringing reef are located at a depth of approximately 10m. In addition to the biotic data collected, divers also record data on the date and time each transect was surveyed, wind speed and sea state, swell height in m, amount of cloud cover in % and horizontal visability in m. This monitoring program is consistent with the protocols adopted by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network and the Australian Institute of Marine Science for use with the Great Barrier Reef Long-term Monitoring Program.

本数据集记录了MCR LTER年度礁鱼监测计划中开展调查的鱼类的物种丰度与体型分布情况。该监测计划始于2005年，数据集每年更新一次。研究人员采用水肺潜水（SCUBA）方式，在从水底延伸至水面的5米×50米样带上，记录所有洄游性鱼类类群的丰度，涵盖鹦嘴鱼科（Scarids）、隆头鱼科（Labrids）、刺尾鱼科（Acanthurids）、鮨科（Serranids）等类群。随后，潜水员沿原样带的1米×50米区段折返，记录所有底栖隐匿性鱼类类群的丰度，涵盖雀鲷科（Pomacentids）、鰕虎鱼科（Gobiids）、䱵科（Cirrhitids）、金鳞鱼科（Holocentrids）等类群。每年的调查均于莫雷阿岛（Moorea）当地时间的09:00至16:00时段内，在7月下旬或8月初开展。2006年起，潜水员还开始对观测到的每条鱼类的体型（体长）进行估算，精度精确至0.5厘米。该监测计划在莫雷阿岛的礁前斜坡设置6个采样点（岛屿三侧各设2个）、礁后坪设置6个采样点（岛屿三侧各设2个）以及岸礁设置6个采样点（岛屿三侧各设2个），每个采样点布设4条重复样带，总计72条独立样带。所有样带均通过固定在礁体上的小型不锈钢桩进行永久标记。礁前斜坡样带的布设水深约为12米，礁后坪样带约为1.5米，岸礁样带约为10米。除采集生物数据外，潜水员还会记录每条样带的调查日期与时间、风速与海况、涌浪高度（单位：米）、云量占比（单位：%）以及水平能见度（单位：米）。本监测计划符合全球珊瑚礁监测网络（Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network）与澳大利亚海洋科学研究所（Australian Institute of Marine Science）为大堡礁长期监测计划所采用的标准规程。