How to collect data | Leeper Reef

Leeper Reef Explore packs are available to loan from Sarina Library for up to two weeks.

The packs contain a GPS tracker with set coordinates for the reef and coral colonies, an information pack and colour chart from Coral Watch, Information sheets on the specific corals, safety information, a ruler and a thermometer.

Please note you must be a library member to access the pack. Membership to the Mackay Regional Council Libraries is free.

The information we are collecting for each colony are:

Size of the colony

Use the picture and ruler to measure the length and width of the colony. To measure the height, place the end of the ruler on the indicated spot in the picture and measure the height of the highest section of the colony.

Colour of the colony

Use the CoralWatch Coral Health Chart to measure the colour of the colony. Take a measurement of the lightest and darkest colours of the coral.

Observations

Note down if there is damage, or anything that looks different to the picture in the kit.

CoralWatch

CoralWatch is a not-for-profit citizen science program based at the University of Queensland, working with volunteers worldwide to increase understanding of coral reefs, coral bleaching and climate change. The Leeper Reef Project uses the CoralWatch Coral Health Chart to measure the colour of the colony.