Zooxanthellate scleractinian corals of the Calamianes Islands, Palawan Province, Philippines (Marine RAP Survey)

Zooxanthellate scleractinian corals were identified at 38 sites in the Calamianes Islands, Palawan Province, Philippines in 1998, using rapid assessment methods. Sites surveyed covered a diverse range of habitats including sandy areas, walls, overhangs, slopes and shallow reef areas. Areas where few or no corals were expected to be found, such as sea grass beds and mangroves were not surveyed. Surveys were conducted using SCUBA to a maximum depth of 40m. The survey method consisted of direct underwater observation of corals, usually during a single 60-90 minute dive at each site. Corals were recorded on a slow ascent from the base of the reef, along a zigzag path to the shallowest part of the reef. New, rare or unusual species were photographed and collected for further study.
The aims of this survey were:1. to compile an inventory of corals on the reefs of the Calamianes Islands, Palawan Province, Philippines2. to use this information to compare the faunal richness of these islands with other parts of Southeast Asia and adjoining regions.

1998年，研究人员采用快速评估法，在菲律宾巴拉望省卡拉绵群岛的38个调查点位开展了虫黄藻共生造礁珊瑚（Zooxanthellate scleractinian corals）调查。本次调查覆盖了多样的生境类型，涵盖沙质底床、礁墙、悬垂礁面、斜坡及浅礁区域。而预期珊瑚分布稀少或无分布的区域（如海草床、红树林）未纳入本次调查。调查采用水肺潜水（SCUBA）开展，最大作业水深达40米。单点位调查通常依托单次60至90分钟的潜水完成，以直接水下观测的方式记录珊瑚。观测路径为从礁体基底缓慢上浮，沿之字形路线行进至礁体最浅处。对于新发现、稀有或异常的珊瑚物种，研究人员会进行拍摄并采集样本以供后续研究。本次调查的目标如下：1. 编制菲律宾巴拉望省卡拉绵群岛礁区的珊瑚物种名录；2. 利用本次调查获取的数据，对比该群岛与东南亚其他区域及邻近区域的物种丰富度。