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APPENDIX 1.

Glossary

No-take zone

An area where no fishing, hunting or extraction is allowed.

Nutrification

A process of nutrient enrichment in which the increased availability of nutrients (e.g.,nitrate,

phosphate) stimulates the growth of plants (e.g., benthic algae, phytoplankton). Extreme

cases lead to eutrophic conditions in which the oxygen content is depleted (often leading to

fish kills, etc) and carbon sequestered.

Ocean acidification

The decrease in the ocean's pH and the resulting increase in acidity as the oceans

absorb carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by human activities.

Ocean color

A term that refers to the spectral reflectance leaving a water body, as measured with a variety

of satellites or airborne sensors that are used to help access primary production, run-off and

sedimentation.

Overfishing

Harvesting at a rate greater than the population can sustain. A level of fishing effort or fishing

mortality such that a reduction of this level would, in the medium term, lead to an increase in

the total catch;

Pelagic

Of, relating to, or living in open oceans or seas rather than waters adjacent to land or inland

waters.

Phytoplankton

Microscopic green plant component of the plankton which is responsible for most of the

photosynthetic activity in the ocean.

Predation

The act of capturing prey (animal) as a means of active feeding.

Productivity

The rate at which radiant energy is used by producers to form organic substances as food for

consumers

Proxy

A measured variable used to infer the value of a variable of interest (but for which direct

measurement is not feasible).

Polyp

A coelenterate, such as a hydra or coral, having a cylindrical body and an oral opening usually

surrounded by tentacles.

Quadrat

Any of a group of small, usually rectangular plots arranged for close study of the distribution of

plants or animals in an area.

Recruitment

The influx of new members into a population by reproduction or immigration.

Red Flag

A red flag is a warning signal that indicates a level of concern for the indicator.

Remote sensing

The use of infrared, radar or other satellite imagery to assess something from a far distance

(e.g. landscape/seascape patterns).

Resilience

Refers to an organisms ability to withstand high levels of environmental stress

(temperature,sediment, etc) without mortality.

Riparian

Of, on, or relating to the banks of a natural course of water.

Runoff

Water that has been on land and moves seaward as a result of rain, flooding, irrigation or

flushing. Runoff is frequently high in nutrients and suspended sediments, possibly including

chemical contaminants.

Rugosity

The topographic complexity of the reef, the physical relief.

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