Mapping Coral Reefs Completed
No single mapping approach is effective for evaluating the overall health of a reef or to determine the cause of its demise. It is only through combining techniques that scientists can establish the most complete view of a reef, one that can be used for evaluating current reef health and providing a baseline to detect future change.
This study is part of the USGS Coral Reef Project.
The Problem
One of the strategic goals of the USGS Pacific Coral Reefs Project is to assist land-use managers in their protection efforts by establishing the geologic framework for ecosystem structure and function. Mapping of coral reefs provides important information about a number of reef characteristics, such as overall structure and morphology, abundance and distribution of living coral, and distribution and types of sediment.
To document evidence of change in any ecosystem, one must first have a starting point—a "baseline" inventory of resources. Thematic maps providing this baseline inventory are an important tool for assessing changes in coral reef ecosystems, allowing scientists to spatially document changes in coral location, percentage of cover, and relative overall health of the system. In the past two decades, scientists and managers have recognized the lack of thematic maps for coral reefs worldwide.
No single mapping approach is effective for evaluating the overall health of a reef or to determine the cause of its demise. It is only through combining techniques that scientists can establish the most complete view of a reef, one that can be used for evaluating current reef health and providing a baseline to detect future change.
The Approach
We first aim to identify innovative mapping methodologies to find the most efficient methods of mapping and remote sensing that can be used to address coral reef issues of distribution, morphology, benthic cover, and history of existing U.S. coral reef systems in the Pacific Basin. We then conduct scientific mapping of critical coral reef environments, including pristine reefs, sediment- or pollutant-impacted reefs, or those of special significance and concern such as reefs in State or National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, or National Marine Sanctuaries. Our goals are to determine the spatial variability of the following parameters at high resolution:
1. Reef tract structure, including overall morphology, rugosity, and complexity
2. Benthic habitat, including bottom type (for example, limestone or volcanic pavement, sand, mud), bottom cover (for example, coral, algae, macroalgae), and biodiversity
3. Transitions between colonized coral reef habitat and adjacent depauperate environments
The approach to these efforts relies on a combination of field measurements and laboratory studies in order to characterize coral reef habitats. We use a wide range of tools, including in-water observations made by scuba divers, high-resolution bathymetry from airborne LIDAR (LIght Detecting And Ranging, e.g., laser range-finding), airborne and space-based multispectral remote sensing imagery, underwater towed digital photo/video mapping systems, and swath acoustic seabed mapping systems.
Below are publications associated with this project.
The major coral reefs of Maui Nui, Hawai‘i—distribution, physical characteristics, oceanographic controls, and environmental threats
End of the chain? Rugosity and fine-scale bathymetry from existing underwater digital imagery using structure-from-motion (SfM) technology
Benthic habitat map of U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Faga‘alu Bay priority study area, Tutuila, American Samoa
Benthic habitat map of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Watershed Partnership Initiative Kā'anapali priority study area and the State of Hawai'i Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area, west-central Maui, Hawai'i
Seafloor video footage and still-frame grabs from U.S. Geological Survey cruises in Hawaiian nearshore waters
Photography applications
Seafloor morphology and coral habitat variability in a volcanic environment: Kaloko-Honokohau National Park, Hawaii, USA
Science-Based Strategies for Sustaining Coral Ecosystems
The coral reef of South Moloka'i, Hawai'i— Portrait of a sediment-threatened fringing reef
Geologic resource evaluation of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Hawai'i: Geology and coastal landforms
Geologic resource evaluation of Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, Hawai'i; Part I, geology and coastal landforms
Geologic resource evaluation of Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, Hawai'i; Part I, geology and coastal landforms
- Overview
No single mapping approach is effective for evaluating the overall health of a reef or to determine the cause of its demise. It is only through combining techniques that scientists can establish the most complete view of a reef, one that can be used for evaluating current reef health and providing a baseline to detect future change.
This study is part of the USGS Coral Reef Project.
The Problem
One of the strategic goals of the USGS Pacific Coral Reefs Project is to assist land-use managers in their protection efforts by establishing the geologic framework for ecosystem structure and function. Mapping of coral reefs provides important information about a number of reef characteristics, such as overall structure and morphology, abundance and distribution of living coral, and distribution and types of sediment.
To document evidence of change in any ecosystem, one must first have a starting point—a "baseline" inventory of resources. Thematic maps providing this baseline inventory are an important tool for assessing changes in coral reef ecosystems, allowing scientists to spatially document changes in coral location, percentage of cover, and relative overall health of the system. In the past two decades, scientists and managers have recognized the lack of thematic maps for coral reefs worldwide.
No single mapping approach is effective for evaluating the overall health of a reef or to determine the cause of its demise. It is only through combining techniques that scientists can establish the most complete view of a reef, one that can be used for evaluating current reef health and providing a baseline to detect future change.
The Approach
We first aim to identify innovative mapping methodologies to find the most efficient methods of mapping and remote sensing that can be used to address coral reef issues of distribution, morphology, benthic cover, and history of existing U.S. coral reef systems in the Pacific Basin. We then conduct scientific mapping of critical coral reef environments, including pristine reefs, sediment- or pollutant-impacted reefs, or those of special significance and concern such as reefs in State or National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, or National Marine Sanctuaries. Our goals are to determine the spatial variability of the following parameters at high resolution:
1. Reef tract structure, including overall morphology, rugosity, and complexity
2. Benthic habitat, including bottom type (for example, limestone or volcanic pavement, sand, mud), bottom cover (for example, coral, algae, macroalgae), and biodiversity
3. Transitions between colonized coral reef habitat and adjacent depauperate environments
The approach to these efforts relies on a combination of field measurements and laboratory studies in order to characterize coral reef habitats. We use a wide range of tools, including in-water observations made by scuba divers, high-resolution bathymetry from airborne LIDAR (LIght Detecting And Ranging, e.g., laser range-finding), airborne and space-based multispectral remote sensing imagery, underwater towed digital photo/video mapping systems, and swath acoustic seabed mapping systems.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 25The major coral reefs of Maui Nui, Hawai‘i—distribution, physical characteristics, oceanographic controls, and environmental threats
Coral reefs are widely recognized as critical to Hawaiʻi’s economy, food resources, and protection from damaging storm waves. Yet overfishing, land-based pollution, and climate change are threatening the health and sustainability of those reefs, and accordingly, both the Federal and State governments have called for protection and effective management. In 2000, the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force stateAuthorsMichael E. Field, Curt D. Storlazzi, Ann E. Gibbs, Nicole L. D'Antonio, Susan A. CochranEnd of the chain? Rugosity and fine-scale bathymetry from existing underwater digital imagery using structure-from-motion (SfM) technology
The rugosity or complexity of the seafloor has been shown to be an important ecological parameter for fish, algae, and corals. Historically, rugosity has been measured either using simple and subjective manual methods such as ‘chain-and-tape’ or complicated and expensive geophysical methods. Here, we demonstrate the application of structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry to generate high-resolutAuthorsCurt D. Storlazzi, Peter Dartnell, Gerry Hatcher, Ann E. GibbsBenthic habitat map of U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Faga‘alu Bay priority study area, Tutuila, American Samoa
The coral reef in Faga‘alu Bay, Tutuila, American Samoa, has suffered numerous natural and anthropogenic stresses. Areas once dominated by live coral are now mostly rubble surfaces covered with turf or macroalgae. In an effort to improve the health and resilience of the coral reef system, the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force selected Faga‘alu Bay as a priority study area. To support these efforts, the UAuthorsSusan A. Cochran, Ann E. Gibbs, Nicole L. D'Antonio, Curt D. StorlazziBenthic habitat map of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Watershed Partnership Initiative Kā'anapali priority study area and the State of Hawai'i Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area, west-central Maui, Hawai'i
Nearshore areas off of west-central Maui, Hawai‘i, once dominated by abundant coral coverage, now are characterized by an increased abundance of turf algae and macroalgae. In an effort to improve the health and resilience of the coral reef system, the Kahekili Herbivore Fisheries Management Area was established by the State of Hawai‘i, and the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force selected the Kā‘anapali regAuthorsSusan A. Cochran, Ann E. Gibbs, Darla J. WhiteSeafloor video footage and still-frame grabs from U.S. Geological Survey cruises in Hawaiian nearshore waters
Underwater video footage was collected in nearshore waters (AuthorsAnn E. Gibbs, Susan A. Cochran, Peter W. TierneyPhotography applications
Photographic imaging is the oldest form of remote sensing used in coral reef studies. This chapter briefly explores the history of photography from the 1850s to the present, and delves into its application for coral reef research. The investigation focuses on both photographs collected from low-altitude fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, and those collected from space by astronauts. Different types oAuthorsSusan A. CochranSeafloor morphology and coral habitat variability in a volcanic environment: Kaloko-Honokohau National Park, Hawaii, USA
Kaloko–Honokohau National Historical Park (KAHO) is one of three National Park lands along the leeward, west, or Kona, coast of the island of Hawaii, USA. The park includes 596 acres (2.4 km2) of submerged lands and marine resources within its official boundaries. The offshore region of KAHO, part of the insular shelf of the island of Hawaii, comprises a volcanic embayment that extends nearly 3.5AuthorsAnn E. Gibbs, Susan A. CochranScience-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 primary stressors to coral ecosystems are known, scAuthorsThe coral reef of South Moloka'i, Hawai'i— Portrait of a sediment-threatened fringing reef
Moloka‘i, with the most extensive coral reef in the main Hawaiian Islands, is especially sacred to Hina, the Goddess of the Moon. As Hinaalo, she is the Mother of the Hawaiian people; as Hinapuku‘a, she is the Goddess of Fishermen; and in the form Hina‘opuhalako‘a, she is the Goddess who gave birth to coral, coral reefs, and all spiny marine organisms. Interdependence between the reef’s living resGeologic resource evaluation of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Hawai'i: Geology and coastal landforms
Geologic resource inventories of lands managed by the National Park Service (NPS) are important products for the parks and are designed to provide scientific information to better manage park resources. Park-specific geologic reports are used to identify geologic features and processes that are relevant to park ecosystems, evaluate the impact of human activities on geologic features and processes,AuthorsBruce M. Richmond, Ann E. Gibbs, Susan A. CochranGeologic resource evaluation of Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, Hawai'i; Part I, geology and coastal landforms
Geologic resource inventories of lands managed by the National Park Service (NPS) are important products for the parks and are designed to provide scientific information to better manage park resources. Park-specific geologic reports are used to identify geologic features and processes that are relevant to park ecosystems, evaluate the impact of human activities on geologic features and processes,AuthorsBruce M. Richmond, Susan A. Cochran, Ann E. GibbsGeologic resource evaluation of Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, Hawai'i; Part I, geology and coastal landforms
Geologic resource inventories of lands managed by the National Park Service (NPS) are important products for the parks and are designed to provide scientific information to better manage park resources. Park-specific geologic reports are used to identify geologic features and processes that are relevant to park ecosystems, evaluate the impact of human activities on geologic features and processes,AuthorsBruce M. Richmond, Susan A. Cochran, Ann E. Gibbs