Chapter 16
Reefscape Ecology Within the South Pacific:
Confluence of the Polynesia Mana Network and
Very High Resolution Satellite Remote Sensing
Antoine Collin, Yannick Chancerelle and Robin Pouteau
Abstract Services provided by coral reef ecosystems are now highly altered by
natural and anthropogenic disturbances. The integrated management of marine biodiversity hotspots relies on the description and the evolution of reef landscape at
various scales. The network of Polynesia mana ensures punctual and biennial recovery monitoring of Scleractinian corals at a decametric scale resolution over seven
countries and territories located in the central area of the South Pacific. Despite
the wide regional coverage of such a monitoring, the structure and dynamics of the
outer reefs cannot be continuously described. Very high resolution remote sensing
overcomes this shortcoming and provides spatial digital models of bathymetry and
benthic albedo at 0.5–0.6 m resolution. The synergy of the two methods allowed
(1) the structure of Tiahura outer reef (case study, Moorea, French Polynesia) to be
represented, (2) the temporal fluctuations that occurred between 2006 and 2010 to be
elucidated, and (3) the impact of the joint proliferation of predator Acanthaster planci
and Cyclone Oli to be identified. Coherence and complementarity of in situ and satellite data encourage its extension to other sites in the network and its application in
the study and management of reef landscapes.
Keywords Coral reef monitoring network · Reefscape · Benthic photography · Very
high resolution remote sensing · Multi-scale
16.1 Introduction
Coral reefs represent nearly a third of known marine species and provide valuable
ecological services such as disturbance regulation (coastal protection), water
recycling, biological control, refugia/habitat, food production (fishing, aquaculture),
raw materials, recreo-tourism, and cultural or spiritual stimulation. All of these
ecosystem services were estimated at US$ 375 billion worldwide per year (Costanza
et al. 1997). However, these systems undergo increased anthropogenic disturbances:
A. Collin () · Y. Chancerelle · R. Pouteau
CRIOBE, USR 3278 CNRS-EPHE, BP 1013, 98729 Papetoai, Moorea, Polynésie française
e-mail: antoinecollin1@gmail.com
O. Musard et al. (eds.), Underwater Seascapes, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-03440-9_16,
245
© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014
Reefscape Ecology Within the South Pacific:
Confluence of the Polynesia Mana Network and
Very High Resolution Satellite Remote Sensing
Antoine Collin, Yannick Chancerelle and Robin Pouteau
Abstract Services provided by coral reef ecosystems are now highly altered by
natural and anthropogenic disturbances. The integrated management of marine biodiversity hotspots relies on the description and the evolution of reef landscape at
various scales. The network of Polynesia mana ensures punctual and biennial recovery monitoring of Scleractinian corals at a decametric scale resolution over seven
countries and territories located in the central area of the South Pacific. Despite
the wide regional coverage of such a monitoring, the structure and dynamics of the
outer reefs cannot be continuously described. Very high resolution remote sensing
overcomes this shortcoming and provides spatial digital models of bathymetry and
benthic albedo at 0.5–0.6 m resolution. The synergy of the two methods allowed
(1) the structure of Tiahura outer reef (case study, Moorea, French Polynesia) to be
represented, (2) the temporal fluctuations that occurred between 2006 and 2010 to be
elucidated, and (3) the impact of the joint proliferation of predator Acanthaster planci
and Cyclone Oli to be identified. Coherence and complementarity of in situ and satellite data encourage its extension to other sites in the network and its application in
the study and management of reef landscapes.
Keywords Coral reef monitoring network · Reefscape · Benthic photography · Very
high resolution remote sensing · Multi-scale
16.1 Introduction
Coral reefs represent nearly a third of known marine species and provide valuable
ecological services such as disturbance regulation (coastal protection), water
recycling, biological control, refugia/habitat, food production (fishing, aquaculture),
raw materials, recreo-tourism, and cultural or spiritual stimulation. All of these
ecosystem services were estimated at US$ 375 billion worldwide per year (Costanza
et al. 1997). However, these systems undergo increased anthropogenic disturbances:
A. Collin () · Y. Chancerelle · R. Pouteau
CRIOBE, USR 3278 CNRS-EPHE, BP 1013, 98729 Papetoai, Moorea, Polynésie française
e-mail: antoinecollin1@gmail.com
O. Musard et al. (eds.), Underwater Seascapes, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-03440-9_16,
245
© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014