Coral Reef Targeted Research: Remote Sensing Working Group

To manage coral reefs sustainably, practitioners and scientists require a vast array of spatially-explicit information. Spatial data are, for example, needed to design effective networks of Marine Protected Areas, monitor the health of coral reefs and provide an early warning system of major climate-induced sources of stress. However, reefs are complex systems, affected by multiple natural and anthropogenic processes which operate across many scales. Remote sensing provides the only practical means to measure such processes and quantify their effects on coral reefs at meaningful (often large) spatial scales. This project draws the remote sensing community together and provides the science required to develop a truly multi-scale physical and biological observing system for coral reefs. Through three principal aims, the project will revolutionise access to spatial information concerning coral reefs. These aims are to:

1. Develop an observation system which enables holistic monitoring of the physical environment and stress experienced by coral reefs.
2. Develop and test the tools necessary to measure the status of coral reef ecosystems at multiple ecological, spatial and temporal scales.
3. Integrate (1) and (2) in order to provide a long-term and comprehensive perspective of how global, regional and local processes affect the health of coral reef ecosystems.

Chair:	Peter Mumby, University of Exeter
Members:	see list
Documents:	(in members area)