While occupying less than 1 % of the area of the ocean, shallow coral reef systems
host an extraordinary diversity of fish (about 25 % of the known marine species)
and twice as many phyla of animals as the notably rich and diverse rainforests of
the world. If coral reefs are in trouble, the ocean is in trouble. That is bad news for
the planet, and therefore for us.
A recent Joint Statement by the heads of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Commission, the United Nations Environment Program, and the International
Union for the Conservation of Nature states:
Globally, best estimates suggest that about 10 % of coral reefs are already degraded,
many beyond recovery, and another 20 % are likely to decline further within the next 20
years. At least two thirds of the world’ s coral reefs may collapse ecologically within the
lifetime of our grandchildren, unless we implement effective management of these ecosystems as an urgent priority.
This assessment may be optimistic. The 2011 World Resources Institute report,
‘‘Reefs at Risk’’ notes that three-quarters of all of the world’s coral reefs are at risk
from overfishing, pollution, and the effects of climate change. In the Philippines,
70 % of the coral reefs are gone and only 5 % are estimated to be in good condition.
In the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, the decline may be as much as 80 % in 30
years. More than 100 countries have coral reefs within their jurisdiction, and some
island nations, with small land mass have large ocean assets centered on coral reefs.
Effective management of these valuable ecosystems requires the ability to document their present status and monitor changes over time.
During the past two decades, there have been remarkable advances in the ability
to remotely measure and monitor the health and status of coral reef systems across
the planet as well as the conditions of the water and surrounding environment. The
techniques documented in this volume complement on-site observations and
together, provide critically important insights necessary for effective management.
Included here is an overview of technologies for reef mapping, technical
information useful for scientists and other research and policy development
experts, ideas for application of remote sensing to resolve questions, and thoughts
about future remote sensing technologies and their applications.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to scientists, students, managers, remote
sensing specialists, and anyone who would like to be inspired by the ingenious new
ways that have been developed and are being applied to solve one of the world’s
greatest challenges: how to take care of the ocean that takes care of us.
If it had been available in 1834, Charles Darwin would surely have had a copy
on his shelf.
Sylvia A. Earle
National Geographic Explorer in Residence
Founder, Mission Blue
vi
Foreword and Onward
host an extraordinary diversity of fish (about 25 % of the known marine species)
and twice as many phyla of animals as the notably rich and diverse rainforests of
the world. If coral reefs are in trouble, the ocean is in trouble. That is bad news for
the planet, and therefore for us.
A recent Joint Statement by the heads of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Commission, the United Nations Environment Program, and the International
Union for the Conservation of Nature states:
Globally, best estimates suggest that about 10 % of coral reefs are already degraded,
many beyond recovery, and another 20 % are likely to decline further within the next 20
years. At least two thirds of the world’ s coral reefs may collapse ecologically within the
lifetime of our grandchildren, unless we implement effective management of these ecosystems as an urgent priority.
This assessment may be optimistic. The 2011 World Resources Institute report,
‘‘Reefs at Risk’’ notes that three-quarters of all of the world’s coral reefs are at risk
from overfishing, pollution, and the effects of climate change. In the Philippines,
70 % of the coral reefs are gone and only 5 % are estimated to be in good condition.
In the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, the decline may be as much as 80 % in 30
years. More than 100 countries have coral reefs within their jurisdiction, and some
island nations, with small land mass have large ocean assets centered on coral reefs.
Effective management of these valuable ecosystems requires the ability to document their present status and monitor changes over time.
During the past two decades, there have been remarkable advances in the ability
to remotely measure and monitor the health and status of coral reef systems across
the planet as well as the conditions of the water and surrounding environment. The
techniques documented in this volume complement on-site observations and
together, provide critically important insights necessary for effective management.
Included here is an overview of technologies for reef mapping, technical
information useful for scientists and other research and policy development
experts, ideas for application of remote sensing to resolve questions, and thoughts
about future remote sensing technologies and their applications.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to scientists, students, managers, remote
sensing specialists, and anyone who would like to be inspired by the ingenious new
ways that have been developed and are being applied to solve one of the world’s
greatest challenges: how to take care of the ocean that takes care of us.
If it had been available in 1834, Charles Darwin would surely have had a copy
on his shelf.
Sylvia A. Earle
National Geographic Explorer in Residence
Founder, Mission Blue
vi
Foreword and Onward