Less than 10 percent of all of the coral reefs in the United States have been adequately mapped and characterized to determine their current condition.

November 11, 1999
Web posted at: 12:31 p.m. EST (1731 GMT)

By Environmental News Network staff

Remote-sensing technologies that include satellite, aircraft, ship and underwater data collection platforms are being pooled together to produce the first comprehensive set of digital maps of coral reefs in the United States.

Less than 10 percent of all of the nation's coral reefs have been adequately mapped and characterized to determine their current condition, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

"We need to know where these areas are so that we can protect them," said Mark Monaco, a researcher working on the coral reef mapping project.

The maps, which will be completed sometime between 2005 and 2007, will create an accurate baseline for long-term monitoring, illustrate trends in reef health over time, characterize habitats and enhance scientific understanding of large-scale oceanographic and ecological processes affecting reefs.

To make the maps, the researchers first use satellite remote-sensing technology to identify coral reef areas. Then airplanes equipped with cameras fly over the reefs to take detailed, close up images of the reefs, said Monaco.

Finally, the researchers go out into the field in ships to validate the imagery. Monaco is currently in the field in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The mapping team will head to Hawaii in March 2000.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will use the maps as a springboard for launching efforts to build a national network of marine protected areas.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will use the maps as a springboard for launching efforts to build a national network of marine protected areas.

Working with the Department of the Interior and other federal agencies, the maps will be entered into a database that includes descriptions of reef habitats, human activities, socio-economic conditions, management capabilities and level of protection in coral reef protected areas.

Using the database, NOAA will help link existing reef protected areas and conduct a "gap" analysis to identify priority areas to monitor as possible additions to the new network.

The mapping project, which will cost approximately $10 million, needs congressional funding to be completed, said James Baker, NOAA administrator.

Monaco pointed out that if satellite technology improves to the point that the imagery is detailed enough to characterize coral reefs from space, the mapping project could be completed in a shorter time and at less cost.

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