Coral comeback? Scientists uncover vast hidden reefs around the world

By Stephen Beech via SWNS

Coral reefs are more widespread around the world than previously thought, satellite analysis has revealed.

A new study, led by the University of Queensland in Australia, has identified 348,000 square kilometers (134364 square miles) of shallow coral reefs, up to 30 meters (98 feet) deep.

Dr. Mitchell Lyons, from the University of Queensland’s School of the Environment, working as part of the Allen Coral Atlas project, says the detailed satellite mapping will help to conserve the vital ecosystems.

He said: “This revises up our previous estimate of shallow reefs in the world’s oceans.

“Importantly, the high-resolution, up-to-date mapping satellite technology also allows us to see what these habitats are made from.

“We’ve found 80,000 square kilometers of reef have a hard bottom, where coral tends to grow, as opposed to soft bottoms like sand, rubble or seagrass.

“This data will allow scientists, conservationists, and policymakers to better understand and manage reef systems.”

More than 1.5 million samples and 100 trillion pixels from the Sentinel-2 and Planet Dove CubeSat satellites were used to capture fine-scale detail on a high-resolution global map.

Dr. Lyons said. “This is the first accurate depiction of the distribution and composition of the world’s coral reefs, with clear and consistent terminology.

“It’s more than just a map – it’s a tool for positive change for reefs and coastal and marine environments at large.”

Associate Professor Chris Roelfsema, of the University of Queensland, said the reef mapping project, a collaboration with more than 480 contributors, is already being used in coral reef conservation globally.

Dr. Roelfsema said: “The maps and associated data are publicly accessible through the Allen Coral Atlas and Google Earth Engine, reaching a global audience.

“They’re being used to inform projects in Australia, Indonesia, the Timor and Arafura Seas, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, Panama, Belize, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Kenya and western Micronesia."

He added: “The details provided by these maps empowers scientists, policymakers and local communities to make informed decisions for the preservation of our coral reefs.”

The findings were published in the journal Cell Reports Sustainability.