Synthesis, challenges and future prospects

tem for habitat mapping of coral reefs and seagrass beds by integrating satellite images and acousticand ecological sea-truth information. In the field of harmful algal blooms (HAB), our taxonomic and biological knowledge on the HAB species has been much expanded through the program, as exemplified by the identification of the causative species of paralytic (PSPs)and amnesic (ASPs) shellfish poisoning in Southeast Asia. There have also been many advancements in the biology and ecology of the blooms of green Noctiluca, a phenomenon highly characteristic to Southeast Asia. The four research groups on marine biodiversity, i.e. Seaweed/Seagrass, Plankton, Fish, and Benthos Groups, have actively held training courses and workshops to disseminate taxonomic and ecological knowledge and expertise to a large number of students and researchers in Southeast Asia. They also compiled and/or published training manuals, field guides and sampling/analytical protocols as among the major legacies from the projects. Their collaborative faunal researches in selected Chapter 21