New imaging technologies offer a clearer view of coral reef change
From a drone flying above the waves to a camera just inches from the seafloor, University of Miami researchers are transforming how scientists observe coral reefs and measure changes that were once difficult, costly or time-consuming to document.
Scientists at the University of Miami have developed advanced imaging technologies to provide clearer views of coral reef changes. The research, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, includes two studies that utilize drone imaging and artificial intelligence to map entire reef systems at the scale of individual coral colonies.
One study mapped over 5 square kilometers of coral reef habitat in Tumon Bay, Guam, before and after Category 4 Typhoon Mawar in 2023, revealing a 59% decline in massive coral cover and a 35% decline in coral fore-reef habitat. The technology could help scientists detect reef decline sooner, assess damage after natural disasters, evaluate restoration projects, and direct conservation resources more effectively.
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