Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

Satellite Imaging Coral Reef Resilience at Regional Scale. A Case-Study From Saudi Arabia

ORCID

0000-0002-6003-9324

ResearcherID

B-8552-2013; F-8807-2011

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Marine Pollution Bulletin

ISSN

0025-326X

Publication Date

6-2012

Keywords

Red Sea, Remote-sensing, Satellite, Coral, Resilience, GIS

Abstract

We propose a framework for spatially estimating a proxy for coral reef resilience using remote sensing. Data spanning large areas of coral reef habitat were obtained using the commercial QuickBird satellite, and freely available imagery (NASA, Google Earth). Principles of coral reef ecology, field observation, and remote observations, were combined to devise mapped indices. These capture important and accessible components of coral reef resilience. Indices are divided between factors known to stress corals, and factors incorporating properties of the reef landscape that resist stress or promote coral growth. The first-basis for a remote sensed resilience index (RSRI), an estimate of expected reef resilience, is proposed. Developed for the Red Sea, the framework of our analysis is flexible and with minimal adaptation, could be extended to other reef regions. We aim to stimulate discussion as to use of remote sensing to do more than simply deliver habitat maps of coral reefs.

DOI

10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.03.003

Volume

64

Issue

6

First Page

1222

Last Page

1237

Comments

©2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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