aab086d2-0408-4d4c-b40f-566264f007e0 Monitoring of rocky reef communities in the Canary Islands 2000-01-01 This integrated monitoring program focuses on subtidal rocky reef ecosystems in the Canary Islands, with current efforts concentrated on Gran Canaria. It combines two complementary approaches: the legacy Costa Viva program (2000-2005, resumed in 2023) and the globally standardized Reef Life Survey (RLS) method (2013-ongoing). The program monitors large mobile invertebrates, benthic habitat structure, and reef fish using standardized underwater visual census protocols. Sampling spans depths of 1-5-30 meters, and surveys are conducted biannually, in April-May (RLS) and September-November (Costa Viva). The program supports biodiversity assessments, evaluation of climate impact indicators (e.g. Community Thermal Index, habitat loss), and population-level trend analyses to inform species protection and IUCN assessments.<div>Costa Viva uses 8 quadrats (1x1 m) per site and larger 50 square meters areas for macroinvertebrate and cryptic fish counts. RLS applies 2x50 m belt transects for fish and benthos. The program aims to expand to other islands in the archipelago depending on resources.</div> Canary Islands reef fish macroinvertebrates biodiversity monitoring Nestor E. Bosch Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria nestor.bosch@ulpgc.es Gran Canaria, Canary Islands -18.02 -13.33 27.60 29.39 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320720309137?via%3Dihub