Table 2 Scoring system for a variety of reef characteristics, as adapted from the S. spinulusa scoring system, proposed by Hendrick and Foster-Smith (2006), p. 667
Characteristic score | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Low 0 | Medium 50 | High 100 | |
Elevation score | |||
Relative height of the patch | ~5 cm | 5–9 cm | >9 cm |
Sediment consolidation score | |||
Shear vane stress | ~1 kg cm−2 | ~1.5 kg cm−2 | ~2 kg cm−2 |
Area score | |||
Extent of total area | 1,000 m2 | 50,000 m2 | >100,000 m2 |
Average area of individual reefs | ~1 m2 | ~2 m2 | 2–10 m2 |
Patchiness score | |||
Percentage cover of patches within the total area | ~5% | 5–10% | >10% |
Lanice conchilega Density score | |||
Average density of L. conchilega (/m2) | ~500 individuals | 500–1,500 individuals | >1,500 individuals |
Biodiversity score | |||
Species richness(S) | ~18 | ~25 | >30 |
Margalef’s index (d) | ~2 | ~2.5 | >3 |
Longevity score | 1 year | 2 years | >2 years |