Contains detailed methods for assessing tropical marine resources (coral reefs, mangrove forests, seagrass beds, soft bottom communities). Most of these methods have already been accepted by the UNEP-IOC-WMO-IUCN Global Task Team on Coral Reefs, for application during the global monitoring programme. The methods were selected to require accessible and inexpensive equipment, and to be suitable for use by researchers with little previous training. The manual is extensively illustrated and includes sample data sets and details of data base structure ensure that baseline data are collected and recorded in a consistent manner. A discussion of sampling design and monitoring provides a useful background for readers who wish to develop specific monitoring programmes for local conditions.