Research Publication No. 48

Habitat, Cross Shelf and Regional Patterns in the Distributions and Abundances of Some Coral Reef Organisms on the Northern Great Barrier Reef with Comment on the Implications for Future Monitoring

B D Mapstone
Department of Marine Biology
James Cook University

A M Ayling
Sea Research

JHChoat
Department of Marine Biology
James Cook University

March 1998

COVER PAGE & VERSO [Adobe Acrobat Format 89.65KB]
TABLE OF CONTENTS [Adobe Acrobat Format 236.72KB]
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY [Adobe Acrobat Format 94.97KB]
CONTENTS [Adobe Acrobat Format 236.72KB]
- Tables
- Figures
- Acknowledgments
INTRODUCTION [Adobe Acrobat Format 399.59KB]
- Persistent Systematic Effects on Abundances
- Survey of Acanthasterplanci
METHODS [Adobe Acrobat Format 990.41KB]
- Field Methods & Data Processing
  - Timing & Reef Selection
  - Sampling within reefs
    - Habitats
    - Locations, sites, & transects
  - Taxa Surveyed
  - Survey Methods
    - Counts of Fish and Large Discrete Benthos..
    - Percent Coverage by Benthos and Counts of Small Corals
  - Data Processing
- Statistical Methods
  - Preliminary Treatment of Data
  - Hypothesis Testing Approach
    - A posteriori Separation of Effects
  - Spatial Patterns in Mean Abundances
    - Effects of Recent Infestations by A. Planci
    - Effects of Shelf Position, Habitat, and Region
RESULTS [Adobe Acrobat Format 3068.70KB]
- Effects of Recent COTS Outbreaks
  - General Effects of A. planci
  - Effects of A. planci Related to Habitat..
  - Effects of A. pianci Related to Region
  - Effects of A. planci Related to Habitat and Region
  - Summary
- Comparison of Counts of A. planci with Data from Manta Tows
- Effects of Habitat
  - General Effects of Habitat
  - Effects of Habitat Related to Region..
  - Effects of Habitat Related to Shelf Position
  - Effects of Habitat Related to Shelf Position and Region..
  - Summary
- Effects of Shelf Position
  - General Effects of Shelf Position
  - Effects of Shelf Position Related to Habitat
  - Effects of Sherf Position Related to Region
  - Effects of Shelf Position Related to Habitat and Region..
  - Summary
- Differences Among Regions
  - General Differences Among Regions..
  - Differences Among Regions Related to Habitat..
  - Differences Among Regions Related to Shelf Position..
  - Differences Among Regions Related to Habitat and Shelf Position
  - Summary
DISCUSSION [Adobe Acrobat Format 446.00KB]
- Abundances of Acanthaster planci..
- Persistent Effects of Past A. planci Outbreaks..
  - Effects on Fishes
  - Effects on Benthos
- Systematic Spatial Effects
  - Effects of Habitat
  - Effects of Shelf Position
  - Effects of Region
- Sampling to Represent Reef Status and Large Scale Pattern
REFERENCES [Adobe Acrobat Format 339.05KB]
APPENDIX [Adobe Acrobat Format 1604.96KB]