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In the field of conservation, scientists and resource managers face the ever present challenge of documenting biodiversity, monitoring change, and identifying priority areas for conservation. With limited resources, vast areas to cover and the increased pressures on and destruction of natural resources, the primary dilemma is knowing how to conserve biodiversity when there is little to no scientific data available for an area. In a Small Island Developing State such as The Bahamas, effective management of natural resources is integral to achieving sustainable development and environmental conservation objectives. However, baselines for biodiversity must be established a priori, upon which science-based recommendations can be made. There is a general lack of information about the biodiversity that exists throughout many areas in The Bahamas. These gaps in scientific knowledge prevent effective management of resources and render these areas obscure in light of potential conservation efforts. A few questions that IÕll be addressing are;
1. How can the results from REAs be used to advance conservation in small island developing states?
2. Are REAs effective in documenting biodiversity, particularly in remote areas?
3. What are the criteria for a successful REAs?
Outline:
1) Introduction
a) What is an REA?
b) Background and history of REAs
2) How are REAs used?
a) Research and Conservation
b) Public Awareness and Education
c) Advantages and disadvantages of conducting REAs
3) What methodologies are used in REAs process?
a) Data collection through field observations
b) Data management using geographical information systems (GIS)
4) What are the criteria for successful REAs?
a) Partnerships and collaboration
b) Data quality
c) Public participation
5) Ragged Island REA Example
a) The Bahamas
b) The Study Area: Ragged Island Chain
c) REA Preliminary Results
6) Conclusions
References:
Maragos, J. E. and C. W. Cook Jr. 1996. The 1991-1992 rapid ecological assessment of Palau's coral reefs. Oceanographic Literature Review 43, no. 12:1285.
Russell-Smith, Jeremy, Nimal S. Karunaratne, and Ranjith Mahindapala. 2006. Rapid inventory of wild medicinal plant populations in Sri Lanka. Biological Conservation 132, no. 1:22-32.
Preskitt, Linda B., Peter S. Vroom, and Celia Marie Smith. 2004. A Rapid Ecological Assessment (REA) Quantitative Survey Method for Benthic Algae Using Photoquadrats with Scuba. Pacific Science 58, no. 2:201-209.
Sayre R., Roca E., Sedaghatkish G., Young B., Keel S., Roca R. and Sheppard S..2000. Nature in Focus: Rapid Ecological Assessment. The Nature Conservancy. Island Press, 1718 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Suite 300, Washington, DC 20009.
Schmitt, E. F., R. D. Sluka, and K. M. Sullivan-Sealey. 2002. Evaluating the use of roving diver and transect surveys to assess the coral reef fish assemblage off southeastern Hispaniola. Coral Reefs 21, no. 2:216 - 223.
Stohlgren, Thomas J. , et al. 1997. Rapid Assessment of Plant Diversity Patterns: A Methodology for Landscapes. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 48, no. 1:25-43.
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