Western Pacific Seagrass Project - Packard Foundation (C1.8)

Task leader: Dr Rob Coles, Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries .

Task associate: NA.

Objectives:

1. Complete the research methods book and establish a group of basic methodologies to create a research monitoring protocol of seagrass habitat, selected from the Global Seagrass Research Methods (Short and Coles 2001)

2. Establish an Internet/Web based data collection and dissemination platform, SeagNet, for data exchange and analysis of seagrass monitoring

3. Identify 6 - 8 scientists in the Western Pacific region to participate in a pilot study testing the research monitoring protocol (1, above) and the SeagNet data retrieval network (3, above) by initiating a 2 year monitoring program

4. Develop a simplified and effective monitoring manual, produced both as a paper copy and CD-ROM, for community monitoring of seagrass habitat in the Western Pacific, train community-based individuals and organizations in seagrass monitoring techniques using workshops and the manual, and implement community-based monitoring in several Western Pacific countries

5. Complete the research methods book and establish a research monitoring protocol