Transect

a sample area, usually in the form of a long, continuous strip; in coral reef monitoring, often a marked line across the reef (M4, M5)

Sustainable yield

using resources in a way that can be maintained over time; taking animals at a time and in a way that enables their populations to maintain themselves over time (M5)

Significant

in statistics, refers to differences that are unlikely to occur based on chance alone (M5)

Observer bias

error introduced into scientific investigations because of the person collecting data (M4, M5)

Natural population

a group of organisms of the same species that inhabits a certain area absent of human interference (M5)

Marine protected area

a part of the ocean protected by legal restrictions on fishing, collecting, and other human activities that directly affect populations of marine and other life (M5)

Impact site

a site being studied to determine the effects of an activity or agent (M5)