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Researchers use satellites to analyze global reef biodiversity
  • [2024]
  • Phys.org covered our latest scientific paper, which used satellite imagery and data from the Global Reef Expedition to analyze global coral reef biodiversity. This new satellite mapping technique can help guide future efforts to identify and protect highly biodiverse reefs, according to the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science research team that conducted the study.

In Phys.org
February 10, 2024

 

 

Researchers used Earth-orbiting satellites to map coral reef biodiversity at a global scale to show that areas of high habitat diversity also have high species diversity. This new satellite mapping technique can help guide future efforts to identify and protect highly biodiverse reefs, according to the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science research team that conducted the study.

“As becomes more advanced, and we continue to use to map ecological habitats, we must understand the biological and ecological meaning of these products,” said Sam Purkis, Cheif Scientist at the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation and Professor and Chair of the Department of Marine Geosciences at the Rosenstiel School and the senior author of the study. “We showed that these maps can be used as a proxy for , and therefore they can be used to guide ecosystem protection and restoration.”

 
Read the full article here

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