A comparison between boat-based and diver-based methods for quantifying coral bleaching
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- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Data Release: ATRIS Seafloor Images – West Turtle Shoal Patch Reef, Rawa Patch Reef, Dustan Rocks Patch Reef, and Thor Patch Reef, Florida, 2011
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Abstract
Recent increases in both the frequency and severity of coral bleaching events have spurred numerous surveys to quantify the immediate impacts and monitor the subsequent community response. Most of these efforts utilize conventional diver-based methods, which are inherently time-consuming, expensive, and limited in spatial scope unless they deploy large teams of scientifically-trained divers. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of the Along-Track Reef Imaging System (ATRIS), an automated image-acquisition technology, for assessing a moderate bleaching event that occurred in the summer of 2011 in the Florida Keys. More than 100,000 images were collected over 2.7 km of transects spanning four patch reefs in a 3-h period. In contrast, divers completed 18, 10-m long transects at nine patch reefs over a 5-day period. Corals were assigned to one of four categories: not bleached, pale, partially bleached, and bleached. The prevalence of bleaching estimated by ATRIS was comparable to the results obtained by divers, but only for corals > 41 cm in size. The coral size-threshold computed for ATRIS in this study was constrained by prevailing environmental conditions (turbidity and sea state) and, consequently, needs to be determined on a study-by-study basis. Both ATRIS and diver-based methods have innate strengths and weaknesses that must be weighed with respect to project goals.
Study Area
Publication type | Article |
---|---|
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Title | A comparison between boat-based and diver-based methods for quantifying coral bleaching |
Series title | Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology |
DOI | 10.1016/j.jembe.2015.02.017 |
Volume | 467 |
Year Published | 2015 |
Language | English |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Contributing office(s) | St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center |
Description | 6 p. |
First page | 39 |
Last page | 44 |
Country | United States |
State | Florida |
City | Marathon |
Online Only (Y/N) | N |
Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |