Fish and Macroinvertebrate Evaluation Methods

Abstract

This chapter discusses the importance and need for evaluating fish and invertebrate faunas associated with artificial reefs, reviews the biotic and abiotic factors impacting the faunas, examines the criteria involved in designing relevant studies, and describes the methods (both destructive and nondestructive) used in assessing faunal assemblages. Terms employed in these studies are defined. This is followed by some actual and hypothetical examples relating to assessment studies. The chapter concludes with a discussion of future needs and directions in artificial reef research.