Ever struggled with trying to decide which habitat to mark on your survey? You are not alone. It can sometimes be a tricky decision. Did you know that with all survey regions combined there are a total of 29 habitat options? Don’t worry, you don’t need to know all of them, but, if you happen to survey in a certain region, you may not know about other habitat types. Some unique habitats on REEF surveys from around the world are: Seamounts, Pinnacles, Bull Kelp, Kelp Forest, Eel Grass bed, Rocky Boulder/Shale Reef, Volcanic, Low-Profile Coral Reef. Click here to see types of habitats and their descriptions that are surveyed in each REEF’s eleven regions.
How did REEF determine different types of habitats and why? The original TWA habitat types were developed in consultation with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) following their 13 key classes that they use in their mapping, conservation planning, and ecosystem service modeling across the region. REEF wanted to provide broad-enough categories that could be easily distinguished, while giving meaningful data and information. The habitat types provide a good filter for high and low profiles, alternative habitats (sand, seagrass, etc.), and artificial.
When scientists use REEF data in connection with habitat information, they will often pair it with a habitat-specific set of data from TNC or another source. When surveys were expanded beyond the TWA, REEF followed a similar model and used a similar list, modifying as necessary to meet local ecosystems.
Remember, mark the habitat that you spent the most time surveying, even if you traveled to several habitats; try to avoid using “mixed” as an option. What is your favorite type of habitat to survey in and why?