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RAP Methods
The Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) provides scientific and conservation training to local scientists. RAP trains scientists in approaches and methodologies that allow them to accomplish their work in the field more efficiently, and to serve as advocates for conservation in their own communities.
Terrestrial RAP Methods
RAP collaborates with the world's leading experts who utilize a standard set of field methods for each taxonomic group and can provide quick field identifications. RAP has developed a set of sampling methods that enables scientists to efficiently inventory and monitor biodiversity. These methods allow for faster collection of reliable data.
Currently, a field manual of RAP's standard methods for biodiversity assessment is in preparation. The first draft will be available in early 2004.
Contact RAP at rap@conservation.org to receive updates on the status of this field manual.
AquaRAP Methods
AquaRAP identifies watersheds and basins that are natural units for effective aquatic conservation. AquaRAP field teams carry out rapid first assessments of entire basins, without regard to political boundaries. The assessments analyze natural physico-chemical and biological processes that are critical for the maintenance of biodiversity. An international team of scientists from seven countries form a Steering Committee that oversees the protocol for these rapid assessments. The scientists each have local institutional affiliations and represent a variety of disciplines, including ichthyology, botany, entomology, macro-invertebrate zoology, limnology and genetics.
AquaRAP scientists work in an integrated fashion that facilitates instant feedback and information sharing. Daily interactions make AquaRAP highly efficient and different from serial surveys that do not share information or use integrated methods. The ultimate goal of AquaRAP is to assess the biological and conservation value of a watershed based on:
- The heterogeneity of the habitats,
- A preliminary survey of the organisms that characterize each of these habitats, and
- The overall intactness of the habitats, and their capacity to support important biological resources and ecological processes.
Field collections are made to identify the organisms, but the size of the collections is minimal. Specimens are identified at the most appropriate taxonomic level (genus or species) in order to compile preliminary data about species diversity and composition. AquaRAP protocol is environmentally friendly, avoiding the use of poison and other destructive sampling methods. | |
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Marine RAP Methods
Corals provide the major environmental framework for most reef-dwelling organisms. Without reef-building corals, there is limited biodiversity. Fish are an excellent survey group as they are the most obvious inhabitants of the reef and account for a large proportion of the reef's overall biomass. Furthermore, fish depend on a huge variety of plants and invertebrates for their nutrition. Therefore, areas rich in fishes invariably have a wealth of plants and invertebrates. Molluscs represent the largest phylum in the marine environment and this relatively well known taxonomical group is ecologically and economically important. Molluscs are particularly useful as a biodiversity indicator for ecosystems adjacent to reefs where corals are generally absent or scarce (e.g., mud, sand, and rubble bottoms).
Marine RAP surveys generally extend over a period of 15-20 days. Our investigations reveal that the majority of corals and fishes can be inventoried during this relatively brief period. Although thorough coverage of molluscs requires a much longer period, the larger, more conspicuous species (which serve as a good indication of total mollusc diversity) are also effectively recorded. Usually three sites are surveyed each day, with activity at each site consisting of a 60-90 minute scuba dive. Each taxonomic expert conducts an underwater inventory of their particular group, utilizing visual survey techniques to a maximum depth of about 50 meters.
Reef Condition Index (RCI)
A team also collects data on the physical condition of reefs, which compliments the biodiversity data. Percentage of coral cover is recorded at each site by means of a 100 meter transect at three depth zones (4-6 m, 12-16 m, 20-25 m). The method consists of laying a 100 m tape measure along the contour of the reef and recording the substrate (live coral, soft coral, dead coral, rubble, sand, sponge, etc.) at one meter intervals. This data is incorporated into a numerical reef condition index (RCI) which also includes overall coral and fish diversity, as well as an assessment of various threat parameters -- including damage from explosives, cyanide, nets, anchors, cyclones, pollution, eutrophication, coral bleaching, coral pathogens and predators (particularly Acanthaster), freshwater runoff, siltation, and fishesing pressure. The resulting numerical index is a valuable tool for comparing sites within the survey region and also facilitates inter-regional comparisons.The RAP team also records the abundance of fishesery indicators of commercial and artisan importance as well as larger fishes, turtles, manta rays and dugongs.In addition to recording ecological data, Marine Rap surveys support parallel assessments of the environmental status and the social context of the areas surveyed. The socio-economic team visits the local stakeholders in the area to inform them of the survey, obtain permission as needed to dive reef areas and assess the role of the marine environment in the daily lives of the stakeholders. The objective of this approach is to analyze biological information in tandem with social, environmental and other ecosystem information to produce appropriate and realistic conservation recommendations. | |
| |  | | New Presentations on Hydrological Services Available Online: Sampurno Bruijnzeel, tropical hydrology expert, talks about vegetation, reforestation, and hydrological services in two CI-sponsored presentations.
Oct. 16 presentation at the World Bank (8 MB PDF)
Oct. 17 presentation at CI (7.2 MB PDF)New CABS Brochure Now Available: Click here to view the latest CABS brochure. Contact us to order a hard copy. The Environmental Systems Research Institute Awards CABS’ GIS & Mapping Lab: The Institute honored the Lab for the fifth time in six years, awarding it First Place in the Best Cartographic Design - Single Map Product category for the Coppename River AquaRAP by Mark Denil.
View the winning map Hotspots Revisited Available Online. Hotspots Revisited details the state of the earth's biodiversity hotspots. The book identifies 34 regions that cover only 2.3 percent of the Earth's surface but are home to 75 percent of the planet's most threatened species.
View Hotspots Revisited | |
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