Designing Marine Monitoring Plans
A monitoring plan keeps field teams aligned and makes reporting defensible. Use MariMap to define baselines, repeat surveys, and QA/QC thresholds before fieldwork begins.
Plan essentials
- Choose protocols that match the habitat and outcome goals.
- Define baseline surveys and lock geometry for repeatability.
- Set cadence (seasonal, quarterly, annual) and responsible teams.
Baselines and repeat surveys
- Create a baseline survey with full metadata and media.
- Reuse geometry for repeat surveys to track change over time.
- Document deviations and uncertainty conservatively.
QA/QC and uncertainty
- Use validation rules for required fields and media.
- Flag anomalies before exporting indicators.
- Record conservative assumptions when data gaps exist.
Reporting outputs
- MRV summaries and biodiversity sections for funders.
- Environmental context to explain trends.
- Metrics aligned to the Metrics Reference.
MRV readiness and disclosure alignment
- Baseline vs repeat surveys: mark baselines and keep repeat surveys on comparable geometry.
- Monitoring plan logic: define cadence, QA/QC thresholds, and conservative handling of uncertainty.
- Outcome types and claims discipline: record uplift, avoided loss, or maintenance credits; separate inputs from verified outcomes.
- Rights and integrity: document FPIC, customary marine tenure, OECM, ICCA, benefit sharing, durability mechanisms, and leakage risk.
- Disclosure alignment: map indicators to TNFD, CSRD, ESRS, EU Taxonomy, SBTN, and SBTi requirements.
- Use the Metrics Reference and Data Providers for definitions and sources.