Mapping corals from the sky guides reef conservation

Coral reefs are one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet supporting an estimated 25 percent of all marine species. These biologically rich ecosystems are threatened by multiple stressors, from warming ocean temperatures brought on by climate change to increases in water pollution from coastal development. According to current estimates, 75 percent of the world's coral reefs could face critical threat levels by 2050. Scientists widely agree that immediate and well-targeted action must be taken to preserve coral reefs for future generations. However, without a clear understanding of where live corals are found, management and conservation efforts will remain hampered at best and ineffective at worst.