Linking separate tables (or covariates) for coral reef monitoring data provides a useful means for extending the utility of information. This integration of different data types (e.g. monitoring site informaiton, taxonomy or functional groups) builds on the core monitoring data to provide new perspectives and ways to communicate patterns in the data. In addition, the ability to link your data with remote data bases can also increase the utlitiy of your monitoring data without having to store duplicate information (e.g. IUCN Redlist information).
This module provides an overview of core skills for linking covariates to coral reef monitoring data. Skills learned from examples can be applied to a variety of data types and remote data bases.