Reef benthos of Seychelles - A field guide

During the 2019 First Descent: Seychelles Expedition, shallow and deep reef ecosystems of the Seychelles Outer Islands were studied by deploying a variety of underwater technologies to survey their benthic flora and fauna. Submersibles, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and SCUBA diving teams used stereo-video camera systems to record benthic communities during transect surveys conducted at 10 m, 30 m, 60 m, 120 m, 250 m and 350 m depths. In total, ~ 45 h of video footage was collected during benthic transect surveys, which was subsequently processed using annotation software in order to assess reef biodiversity and community composition. Here, we present a photographic guide for the visual identification of the marine macrophytes, corals, sponges and other common invertebrates that inhabit Seychelles’ reefs. It is hoped that the resulting guide will aid marine biologists, conservationists, managers, divers and naturalists with the coarse identification of organisms as seen in underwater footage or live in the field. A total of 184 morphotypes (= morphologically similar individuals) were identified belonging to Octocorallia (47), Porifera (35), Scleractinia (32), Asteroidea (19), Echinoidea (10), Actiniaria (9), Chlorophyta (8), Antipatharia (6), Hydrozoa (6), Holothuroidea (5), Mollusca (2), Rhodophyta (2), Tracheophyta (2), Annelida (1), Crinoidea (1), Ctenophora (1), Ochrophyta (1) and Zoantharia (1). Out of these, we identified one to phylum level, eight to class, 14 to order, 27 to family, 110 to genus and 24 to species. This represents the first attempt to catalogue the benthic diversity from shallow reefs and up to 350 m depth in Seychelles

Railton Community Assessment Project

A collaborative project between Railton Foundation and Stellenbosch University.This booklet is about sharing our process with other people so that they may be able to do the same in other communities. We have realised how valuable this kind of research is in the process of community development and we would like to help share our experiences of collaborative and community participative research. We hope that this handbook will serve as a guideline for any community leader, teacher or researcher who would like to undertake similar research projects. We realise that there are other ways of doing this, but you may find it helpful to see how we went about the community assessment process. In this booklet we will be providing background information that will help to create a context for doing this kind of research, and we will be outlining various steps in the process. To help bring life to this research process, we will give real lived experiences and examples from the Railton Community Assessment Project (CAP) team. Please consult the Railton Community Assessment Project Report for a comprehensive description of the research processes and findings referred to in this booklet. We hope this handbook is helpful to you and your community.Stellenbosch UniversityRailton FoundationPublishers' versio

Low-cost, deep-sea imaging and analysis tools for deep-sea exploration: a collaborative design study

A minuscule fraction of the deep sea has been scientifically explored and characterized due to several constraints, including expense, inefficiency, exclusion, and the resulting inequitable access to tools and resources around the world. To meet the demand for understanding the largest biosphere on our planet, we must accelerate the pace and broaden the scope of exploration by adding low-cost, scalable tools to the traditional suite of research assets. Exploration strategies should increasingly employ collaborative, inclusive, and innovative research methods to promote inclusion, accessibility, and equity to ocean discovery globally. Here, we present an important step toward this new paradigm: a collaborative design study on technical capacity needs for equitable deep-sea exploration. The study focuses on opportunities and challenges related to low-cost, scalable tools for deep-sea data collection and artificial intelligence-driven data analysis. It was conducted in partnership with twenty marine professionals worldwide, covering a broad representation of geography, demographics, and domain knowledge within the ocean space. The results of the study include a set of technical requirements for low-cost deep-sea imaging and sensing systems and automated image and data analysis systems. As a result of the study, a camera system called Maka Niu was prototyped and is being field-tested by thirteen interviewees and an online AI-driven video analysis platform is in development. We also identified six categories of open design and implementation questions highlighting participant concerns and potential trade-offs that have not yet been addressed within the scope of the current projects but are identified as important considerations for future work. Finally, we offer recommendations for collaborative design projects related to the deep sea and outline our future work in this space

Railton Community Assessment (CAP) : research report

Research reportThe main aim of the Community Assessment Project (CAP), which arose out of the above mentioned partnership, was to conduct a community assessment of Railton (within Swellendam) to assist the local community and the Railton Foundation to identify priority areas for community development. This was pursued through a mapping of community assets (including strengths and resources) and a priority needs assessment process. This research was conducted within a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Approach. CBPR is a collaborative approach to research that equitably involves all partners in the research process and recognises the unique strengths that each brings. CBPR begins with a research topic of importance to the community with the aim of combining knowledge and action for social change to improve the community. The first main section of this Report discusses the CBPR approach, and how ethical issues relating to conducting community research were addressed in the CAP research. This is followed by a detailed outlined of the 10 phases of the research design. The research training process is then discussed in some detail. The research participants are identified, and then the various data collection and analysis methods are discussed in some detail. The process of ‘pulling all the data together’ (called triangulation) is then explained. The process of sharing the research findings and recommendations with the community is then discussed. This chapter ends with a focus on both the strengths and limitations of the CAP research.Railton FoundationStellenbosch UniversityPublishers' versio

Railton Gemeenskapsassessering handleiding

A collaborative project between Railton Foundation and Stellenbosch University.Die doel van hierdie handleiding is om die navorsingsproses met ander mense te deel sodat hul op hul beurt dieselfde proses in ander gemeenskappe kan gebruik. Hierdie tipe navorsing is waardevol in die proses van gemeenskapsontwikkeling, en om die rede wil ons graag die ervaring van gemeenskap-deelnemende navorsing met ander deel. Ons hoop dat hierdie handleiding as ‘n riglyn sal dien vir enige gemeenskapsleier, opvoeder of navorser wat soortgelyke projekte wil loots. Alhoewel daar ander maniere is om hierdie tipe navorsing te doen, mag u dalk baat by die manier waarop ons die gemeenskapsassesserings-proses benader het. Ons sal in hierdie handleiding agtergrondinligting verskaf wat as konteks sal dien vir die uitvoer van dié tipe navorsing. Die onderskeie stappe van hierdie proses sal ook belig word. Ons gebruik werklike voorbeelde van die Railton Gemeenskapsassesserings-projek (GAP) om die egtheid van die navorsingsproses weer te gee. Raadpleeg asseblief ook die “Railton Community Assessment Project Research Report” vir addisionele inligting oor hierdie navorsingsaktiwiteite en bevindings. Ons hoop dat beide u en u gemeenskap hierdie handleiding tot groot nut sal vind.Stellenbosch UniversityRailton FoundationPublishers' versio