Rapid biodiversity surveys of corals and fish in marine parks offshore from the east coast of peninsula Malaysia

In 2000, a total of 17 sites were surveyed across three marine park areas offshore from the east coast of peninsula Malaysia. Six sites were located in the Pulau Redang Marine Parks, 7 sites were located in the Pulau Tioman Marine Parks and 4 sites were located in the Pulau Tinggi Marine Parks.Sites surveyed included a diverse range of habitats which included sandy areas, walls, overhangs, slopes and shallow reef areas. Corals and fish were identified by direct underwater observation, during two, 60 minute dives at each site. Corals and fish were recorded on a slow ascent from the base of the reef, along a zigzag path to the shallowest part of the reef. In addition, quantitative counts of each fish species were recorded.The primary group of corals surveyed were the zooxanthellate scleractinian corals. In addition, a small number of other coral taxa, which also contribute to the reef matrix were recorded. These include zooxanthellate non-scleractinian corals (Heliopora and Millepora), azooxanthellate scleractinian corals (Tubastrea, and Rhizopsammia) and azooxanthellate non-scleractinian corals (Distichopora). The aim of this component of the project was to document coral and fish biodiversity at the study sites. This research was carried out on behalf of Coral Cay Conservation Ltd, in conjunction with the Marine Parks Section of the Department of Fisheries, Malaysia. Funding was provided by UNDEP-GEF.The aim of this project was to update knowledge gained in previous surveys, the last of which was carried out in 2000. Tasks undertaken were:1. to document biodiversity at the study sites2. to provide data on the health of the coral reefs3. to provide information to expand the initial threats analysis completed during an earlier phase of this project

2000年，研究团队于马来西亚半岛东海岸近海的三处海洋公园区域内，共计开展17个调查点位的野外调查工作。其中6个点位位于热浪岛海洋公园（Pulau Redang Marine Parks），7个点位位于刁曼岛海洋公园（Pulau Tioman Marine Parks），剩余4个点位位于丁宜岛海洋公园（Pulau Tinggi Marine Parks）。本次调查覆盖多样的生境类型，涵盖沙质区域、礁壁、悬垂结构、斜坡及浅礁区域。研究人员在每个点位开展两次单次时长60分钟的水下直接观测以识别珊瑚与鱼类：观测过程中沿从礁体基底缓慢上浮、经之字形路线行进至礁体最浅水区的路径完成记录工作。此外，还对各鱼类物种开展了定量计数。本次调查的核心珊瑚类群为虫黄藻共生造礁石珊瑚（zooxanthellate scleractinian corals）。同时研究人员也记录了少量参与珊瑚礁礁体构建的其他珊瑚类群，包括：非造礁的虫黄藻共生珊瑚（如苍珊瑚属Heliopora、千孔珊瑚属Millepora）、不含虫黄藻的造礁石珊瑚（如筒星珊瑚属Tubastrea、根珊瑚属Rhizopsammia）以及不含虫黄藻的非造礁珊瑚（如丛柳珊瑚属Distichopora）。本项目此分支研究的目标为记录调查点位的珊瑚与鱼类生物多样性。本次研究由珊瑚礁保护有限公司（Coral Cay Conservation Ltd）联合马来西亚渔业部海洋公园部门共同实施，资助方为UNDEP-GEF。本项目的整体目标为更新此前调查所获得的认知，其中上一次此类调查开展于2000年。本次执行的研究任务包括：
1. 记录调查点位的生物多样性
2. 提供珊瑚礁健康状况相关数据
3. 补充相关信息以完善本项目早期阶段完成的初始威胁分析。