Improving Biological Reefing Viability Index as a Predictive Tool for Assessment of Potential Reefing Site in the Tropical Shallow Offshore Environment

Abstract

The current study improved the predictive capability of the biological reefing viability index (BRVI) calibrated using local data. The prediction capability of the BRVI improved from 61% to 76% accuracy out of the 181 locations where the underwater videos available for verification. The BRVI includes corals larvae density, age of larvae at site, sea current, sea temperature, chlorophyll-a, water depth and sediment type to predict biological productivity of an area. Among the parameters, corals larvae density and age of the larvae are the most critical parameters that influent establishment of new biological ecosystem. The BRVI uses settlement of corals larvae as the precursors for the establishment of new habitats in the offshore environment because scleractinian corals is known to be able to form backbone of a new habitat in the environment. In this approach, the BRVI focuses on habitat creation instead of just being a fish aggregating device (FAD) when an artificial reef is deployed in an area. The BRVI can be used as a rapid screening tool to identified potential area for deployment of artificial reefs. The BRVI could reduce the chances of artificial reefs deployment that failed to address its objectives and intended outcomes.