Reef Health & Impact Surveys

A powerful tool for tracking reef change

Reef Health and Impact Surveys (RHIS) are one of the most detailed and consistent ways we monitor the condition of the reef around Lady Elliot Island.

Trained staff and marine scientists use this method to assess:

• Coral cover and composition
• Algae, rubble, and sand balance
• Impacts from bleaching, cyclones, or anchor damage
• Outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS)
• Evidence of disease or coral stress

Surveys are completed in small, circular plots and repeated across different reef zones – providing accurate, site-specific snapshots of reef health.

Over the years, RHIS has helped us:

• Track the impacts of bleaching events
• Assess cyclone damage and recovery
• Detect and respond to COTS outbreaks
• Monitor trends in coral cover and reef condition

These long-term records are vital for understanding how our reef is changing and for guiding our management decisions on the island.

2022–2025:

• Over 455 surveys completed
• Tracked reef health and recovery across multiple bleaching events
• Tracked reef health and recovery across multiple weather events