04 Nov 2022
On Thursday 3rd November our year 11 Marine Biology student had a unique experience working with a group of researchers analysing photos and data as part of research of the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Reef Census is organised by Citizens of Great Barrier Reef. It has only been established since 2020.
The Great Reef Census has been developed in partnership with some of the Reef’s leading scientists and managers. The project has the potential to significantly expand survey coverage across the Great Barrier Reef, helping to capture an up-to-date picture of reef condition and developing a scalable infrastructure to support research and management strategies.
Dr Geronomi had her students involved in 2021. However it was a new program then and now they have opened up a program to just a few select schools to participate - only 4 in Queensland and CHHS (only us in NSW)!!! Students are involved in analysing images that have just been taken of the Great Barrier Reef. The aim is to survey as many sites and images as possible to monitor the health of the reef.
With The GBR being so massive scientists need help to monitor what is happening each year so now every year the Great Reef Census will take place and people / students can be citizen scientists and help with the monitoring of the reefs condition.
The Great Reef Census Education and Analysis program is a fantastic opportunity for high school students to meaningfully engage in the Great Reef Census through online Citizen Science Analysis. The data collected from the Great Reef Census analysis complements existing monitoring efforts by filling critical gaps in information, targeting reefs that are outside of current long-term programs and providing critical data for the crown-of-thorns starfish control program.
The program was delivered through a 1.5hr class session. Through the lesson the students were given an information session on the importance of the Great Barrier Reef, its threats and the importance and impacts of Citizen Science. This was followed by an overview of which corals the Great Reef Census is looking for (branching, plate and massive), why these corals are important and how to use the platform to analyse images. with a guided session through the platform to troubleshoot any issues students may have.
As an incentive, every 5 images that students analyse put them in the draw to win a trip for two to Cairns to visit the reef (flights, 2 x nights in a luxury hotel and reef visit). There are also 5 prize packs up for grabs including a citizens t-shirt, bucket hat and a $50 Cotton On Voucher. The students have until the 21st November to submit their analyses. Good luck!!
To read more: https://greatreefcensus.org/