NaGISA
The concept of NaGISA is based on examining patterns of biodiversity at both global and local scales on rocky shores and seagrass beds by using a nested sampling design and a simple standardized protocol that includes passive and active sampling, as well as some assessment of physical parameters. To NaGISA, the world’s ocean shorelines are divided into boxes of 20° longitude and latitude. Within each of these boxes, three distinct geographic areas are chosen, and within each area, three sites are selected. One of these sites or core site, should be sampled once every year, and the other two sites, or satellite sites should be sampled at least once within this decade. Besides estimating biodiversity coverage and abundance, this nested sampling design will allow to estimate the variability at each scale as well as to identify the scale at which most of the variability occurs. On the other hand, NaGISA is also committed to develop educational products and capacity building, involving local communities as well as students of different levels.
NaGISA constitutes one example of international collaboration among different regions such as the Caribbean, South America and the Indian Ocean. The NaGISA protocol has also proved to be of interest as a monitoring and educational program to assess environmental impact and involve the local communities. An example of this is a three-year project dedicated to monitor marine biodiversity along the Venezuelan coast with the support of Chevron.
Active sites in the Caribbean: Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago.
Actives sites in South America: Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil (2), Argentina (2), Chile, Peru, Ecuador
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