Measuring the Success of Reef Protection
Using eDNA insights to monitor the restoration of degraded reef habitats across a network of MPAs
Project snapshot
- Exceptionally high fish diversity with over 500 taxa detected
- Results will support tracking of conservation outcomes against KPIs
- A clear distinction of fish communities was identified between habitats
- Species highlights included bigeye sixgill shark, clownfish, lionfish moray eels, humpback wrasse, and spiny seahorse
Overview
Blue Finance used eDNA to assess coral reef biodiversity on and around the Puerto Galera Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Philippines. Results revealed exceptionally high fish species diversity, enabling Blue Finance to track conservation outcomes against key performance indicators.
The challenge
In collaboration with governments, Blue Finance co-manages a network of MPAs across the globe, working to restore degraded marine habitats and improve livelihoods. At the Puerto Galera site they aim to promote the recovery of coral and fish after the habitat was degraded by unsustainable fishing activities and various physical assaults. Monitoring recovery is key to determining if management methods are working, but monitoring fish community recovery using conventional diver surveys often misses cryptic species and is very resource intensive. A more comprehensive view of biodiversity was needed to assess MPA effectiveness.
Our role
In 2022, Blue Finance used NatureMetrics service to sample both within the Puerto Galera MPA and in surrounding areas that have reduced protection status. Analysis of the samples found incredibly high species diversity, detecting over 500 fish taxa.
Findings
- Species richness was greater in and around the reef MPA compared to the mangrove conservation area.
- The mangrove and coral reef environments supported clearly distinct species assemblages of fish.
Reef specialists included
- Scaridae = Parrotfish
- Acanthuridae = Tangs, surgeonfishes and unicornfishes
- Pomancentridae = Damselfishes and Clownfishes
The impact
The eDNA data provided Blue Finance with a comprehensive baseline of fish diversity against which to track recovery of the ecosystem over time. Via the NatureMetrics Intelligence Platform, Blue Finance will be able track multiple performance indicators on reef health and fish population improvements, validating their work to donors such as the Global Fund for Coral Reefs. Ongoing eDNA monitoring will strengthen Blue Finance's adaptive, evidence-based management of the site.
In collaboration with
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