ReefTemp: an interactive monitoring system for coral bleaching using high-resolution SST and improved stress predictors

Maynard, Jeff A., Turner, Peter, Anthony, Kenneth R.N., Baird, Andrew H., Berkelmans, Ray, Eakin, C. Mark, Johnson, Johanna, Marshall, Paul A., Packer, Gareck R., Rea, Anthony, and Willis, Bette L. (2008) ReefTemp: an interactive monitoring system for coral bleaching using high-resolution SST and improved stress predictors. Geophysical Research Letters, 35. pp. 1-5.

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Abstract

Anomalously high sea surface temperatures (SST) have led to repeated mass coral bleaching events on a global scale. Existing satellite-based systems used to monitor conditions conducive to bleaching are based on low-resolution (0.5°, ∼50 km) SST data. While these systems have served the research and management community well, they have inherent weaknesses that limit their capacity to predict stress on coral reefs at local scales, over which bleaching severity is known to vary dramatically. Here we discuss the development and testing of ReefTemp, a new operational remote sensing application for the Great Barrier Reef that assesses bleaching risk daily using: high-resolution (2 km) SST, regionally validated thermal stress indices, and color-graded legends directly related to past observations of bleaching severity. Given projections of sea temperature rise, ReefTemp is timely as it can accurately predict bleaching severity at a local scale and therefore help to give focus to future research and monitoring efforts.

Item ID: 6363
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1944-8007
Keywords: marine sciences; coral reefs; bleaching; modelling sea surface temperatures
Additional Information:

Citation Number: L05603

Date Deposited: 09 Mar 2010 05:49
FoR Codes: 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060205 Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl Marine Ichthyology) @ 100%
SEO Codes: 97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences @ 100%
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