Coral Reef Project: Lānaʻi
Science Center Objects
Little is actually known about the overall extent, biodiversity, morphology, or health of Lānaʻi’s reef tracks. As part of the USGS Coral Reef Project, the USGS collected high-resolution swath bathymetry data and underwater video and photography in early 2013 in order to develop high-resolution seafloor habitat and reef morphology maps of the coral reef systems off of eastern Lānaʻi.
US Geological Survey and NASA satellite image of the Hawaiian island of Lānaʻi, from LANDSAT 8 and ASTER satellite imagery.
Overview
Lānaʻi is located 15 km (9 mi) south of Molokaʻi and 15 km southwest of Maui. Also known as the Pineapple Isle, it encompasses 363 sq km (140 sq mi), making it the sixth largest in the Hawaiian Islands chain. While a fringing reef surrounds the island, much of the live coral growth can only be found on the north and east coasts where the reef is protected from waves by the surrounding islands. Reef growth is limited on the south and west coasts due to wave impacts from summer south swell.
Numerous, high coral-cover reef tracts are known to exist off the island of Lānaʻi and are a popular destination for scuba divers. NOAA mapped one of the most extensive reef tracts off the eastern side of the island, but little is actually known about its overall extent, biodiversity, morphology, or health. The USGS collected high-resolution swath bathymetry data and underwater video and photography in early 2013 in order to develop high-resolution seafloor habitat and reef morphology maps of the coral reef systems off of eastern Lānaʻi.
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Date published: May 6, 2019Status: ActiveCoral Reef Project
Explore the fascinating undersea world of coral reefs. Learn how we map, monitor, and model coral reefs so we can better understand, protect, and preserve our Nation's reefs.
Contacts: Curt Storlazzi
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Date published: May 6, 2019Status: ActiveCoral Reef Project: Guam
As part of the USGS Coral Reef Project, the USGS is working on the west coast of Guam to help determine the effects of sedimentation in nearshore waters.
Contacts: Curt StorlazziAttribution: Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center -
Date published: May 6, 2019Status: ActiveCoral Reef Project: Hawaiʻi
As part of the USGS Coral Reef Project, the USGS is working on the Kona (west) coast of Hawaiʻi to evaluate geologic resources at two historical parks.
Contacts: Curt StorlazziAttribution: Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center -
Date published: May 6, 2019Status: ActiveCoral Reef Project: Kahoʻolawe
As part of the USGS Coral Reef Project, the USGS is trying to better understand how nearshore processes impact the deeper, scattered coral reef communities of Kahoʻolawe.
Contacts: Curt StorlazziAttribution: Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center -
Date published: May 6, 2019Status: ActiveCoral Reef Project: Kauaʻi
As part of the USGS Coral Reef Project, the USGS is working on the island of Kauaʻi to identify circulation patterns and a sediment budget for Hanalei Bay to help determine any effects to the coastal marine ecosystem.
Contacts: Curt StorlazziAttribution: Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center -
Date published: May 6, 2019Status: ActiveCoral Reef Project: Lānaʻi
Little is actually known about the overall extent, biodiversity, morphology, or health of Lānaʻi’s reef tracks. As part of the USGS Coral Reef Project, the USGS collected high-resolution swath bathymetry data and underwater video and photography in early 2013 in order to develop high-resolution seafloor habitat and...
Contacts: Curt StorlazziAttribution: Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center -
Date published: May 6, 2019Status: ActiveCoral Reef Project: Maui
As part of USGS Coral Reef Project studies, the USGS has been heavily involved in efforts to improve the health and resilience of Maui's coral reef system, bringing expertise in mapping, circulation and sediment studies, and seismic surveys.
Contacts: Curt StorlazziAttribution: Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center -
Date published: May 6, 2019Status: ActiveCoral Reef Project: Molokaʻi
As part of the USGS Coral Reef Project, recent USGS work on Molokaʻi includes looking into the coral record to find clues to past sedimentation events.
Contacts: Curt StorlazziAttribution: Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center -
Date published: May 6, 2019Status: ActiveCoral Reef Project: Oʻahu
As part of the Coral Reef Project, the USGS is working closely with other local groups to investigate poor water quality issues in Maunalua Bay on the southeast coast of Oʻahu.
Contacts: Curt StorlazziAttribution: Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center -
Date published: May 6, 2019Status: ActiveCoral Reef Project: Tutuila
As part of the USGS Coral Reef Project, the USGS is working on Tutuila with its partners: 1.) in Faga’alu Bay to better understand the impacts of land-based pollutants on the coral reefs, and 2.) on the north coast to help determine the effects of circulation on nearshore waters.
Contacts: Curt StorlazziAttribution: Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center -
Date published: November 5, 2018Status: ActiveCirculation and Sediment, Nutrient, Contaminant, and Larval Dynamics on Reefs
This study is part of the USGS Coral Reef Project.
Contacts: Curt StorlazziAttribution: Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Rigorously valuing the role of U.S. coral reefs in coastal hazard risk reduction
The degradation of coastal habitats, particularly coral reefs, raises risks by increasing the exposure of coastal communities to flooding hazards. The protective services of these natural defenses are not assessed in the same rigorous economic terms as artificial defenses, such as seawalls, and therefore often are not considered in decision making...
Storlazzi, Curt D.; Reguero, Borja G.; Cole, Aaron D.; Lowe, Erik; Shope, James B.; Gibbs, Ann E.; Nickel, Barry A.; McCall, Robert T.; van Dongeren, Ap R.; Beck, Michael W.
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Storlazzi, Curt D.; van Ormondt, Maarten; Chen, Yi-Leng; Elias, Edwin P. L. The effectiveness of coral reefs for coastal hazard risk reduction and adaptation
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Coral reef ecosystems are threatened by unprecedented watershed changes in the United States and worldwide. These ecosystems sustain fishing and tourism industries essential to the economic survival of many communities. Sediment, nutrients, and pollutants from watersheds are increasingly transported to coastal waters, where these contaminants...
Stock, Jonathan D.; Cochran, Susan A.; Field, Michael E.; Jacobi, James D.; Tribble, Gordon The use (and misuse) of sediment traps in coral reef environments: Theory, observations, and suggested protocols
Sediment traps are commonly used as standard tools for monitoring “sedimentation” in coral reef environments. In much of the literature where sediment traps were used to measure the effects of “sedimentation” on corals, it is clear from deployment descriptions and interpretations of the resulting data that information derived from sediment traps...
Storlazzi, C.D.; Field, M.E.; Bothner, Michael H.
Science-Based Strategies for Sustaining Coral Ecosystems
Coral ecosystems and their natural capital are at risk. Greenhouse gas emissions, overfishing, and harmful land-use practices are damaging our coral reefs. Overwhelming scientific evidence indicates that the threats are serious, and if they are left unchecked, the ecological and social consequences will be significant and widespread. Although the...