title: Tropical islands quick data gap analysis guided by coral reef geomorphological maps.
abstract: A gap analysis is the initial step towards the identification of areas where data are needed. However, often, data coverage cannot be assessed against a reference that objectively guides the identification of both gaps and priority areas for data acquisition. Here, we describe a quick, effective and reproducible spatial data gap analysis approach based on the relationship between location of available metadata and coral reef geomorphological richness. In Solomon Islands, we identified gaps defined by high richness and low biological data coverage. We collected metadata only, to avoid dealing with data ownership, availability, and formats, and to be able to identify gaps in less than two months. This fast method does not replace quantitative and comprehensive gap analysis, but provides effective identification of areas of high natural value and limited knowledge. The method is widely applicable and particularly invaluable for large and complex domains such as the Coral Triangle.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Recherche Pour le Développement, Centre de Nouméa, B.P. A5, 98848 Nouméa, New Caledonia. Electronic address: serge.andrefouet@ird.fr.
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andréfouët
authors.affiliation: Institut de Recherche Pour le Développement, Centre de Nouméa, B.P. A5, 98848 Nouméa, New Caledonia. Electronic address: melanie.hamel@my.jcu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Mélanie A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hamel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D057894:Coral Reefs; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D010139:Pacific Islands; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: Coral Triangle; Marine protected area; Millennium Coral Reef Mapping Project; Pacific Island Countries and Territories; Remote sensing; Solomon Island