121
There needs to be more intensive, rigorous methods conducted throughout Tanzania. While rapid assessment techniques give wide coverage, they should always be accompanied by more rigorous techniques such as the line
intercept transect method in order to improve the reliability and accuracy of the information see Section 3.1 above. Different scientists in various parts of the country have applied even the intensive, rigorous methods in
slightly different forms. A consistent format would improve comparability. If possible data should be collected at regular intervals, while keeping seasonal trends in mind so that observations represent the entire range of
variability in coral reef ecosystems.
4.11.2 Geographical Coverage
A coordinated effort should be made to fill in geographical gaps in coral reef research. Efforts need to be focussed on listed in order of priority Pemba, Dar es Salaam, the coastline between Dar es Salaam and Tanga including
Bagamoyo, and the coast of Lindi. In the areas already studied, some of the reefs, which have remained undocumented, should be examined.
4.11.3 Subject Coverage
As a priority, more detailed taxonomic work needs to be done to assist in the identification of corals to the species level. Comprehensive descriptions of all Tanzanian species and keys for their identification would greatly
facilitate future studies on coral distribution and ecology.
Secondly, there is a need for various types of ecological studies, including the autecology of specific species. Muhando 1998 recommended that more ecological studies are needed in order to generate additional
information and techniques to manage reefs sustainably.
It is important to know more about coral recruitment patterns in Tanzania with respect to seasons, directions of dispersion, and species. Such information would be useful for planning for the protection or restoration of reefs in
certain areas.
While perhaps not a priority at this time, there are several aspects which have not been covered and which should receive some attention, including genetics, reproduction, and physiology.
4.11.4 Research
As was assessed in Section 2, most of the studies conducted to date are baseline studies or review studies. There is a great need to increase the number of experimental and applied studies and to cover a wider range of
observational studies, other than just baseline studies.
In order to provide important information for management purposes, it would be advisable to conduct more studies, which examine coral reefs as integrated ecosystems, which they are, investigating as many biotic and
abiotic factors as possible as well as the complex interactions between these factors. Such studies need to examine nutrient dynamics, ecological processes, biodiversity, food webs, as well as species interactions and associations.
In order to meet the urgent challenge of conserving and restoring reefs, there should be more projects, which actually apply already known techniques for restoring or protecting reefs. At the same time, such projects should
have a built-in research component that evaluates the success of the applied techniques and tries to improve upon them with time. The work done in the Dar es Salaam Marine Reserves System by Wagner et al. 1999, Hansen
1999, Wagner et al. 2000a and Wagner et al. 2000b has attempted to take this approach in connection with restoration work with community involvement.
122
Another very important aspect, with respect to management, is to determine sustainable levels of resource use Horrill et al., 1996. Management programmes always advocate sustainable utilisation of resources, since
communities need to make use of their resources in order to survive, but we know very little about what the actual sustainable rates of exploitation are.
A specific problem that needs to be tackled includes the ecological impact of sedimentation. In particular, there is needs to conduct a detailed study on the impacts of speedboats, both small and large especially the boats that
goes between Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam. This is in order to obtain information on the critical speeds, orientations, and distances for travelling in the vicinity of coral reefs.
4.11.5 Monitoring
