Reef Cover, a coral reef classification for global habitat mapping from remote sensing.
Emma V Kennedy, Chris M Roelfsema, Mitchell B Lyons, Eva M Kovacs, Rodney Borrego-Acevedo, Meredith Roe, Stuart R Phinn, Kirk Larsen, Nicholas J Murray, Doddy Yuwono, Jeremy Wolff, Paul Tudman
Author Information
Emma V Kennedy: Remote Sensing Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. e.kennedy@aims.gov.au. ORCID
Chris M Roelfsema: Remote Sensing Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. c.roelfsema@uq.edu.au.
Mitchell B Lyons: Remote Sensing Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Eva M Kovacs: Remote Sensing Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. ORCID
Rodney Borrego-Acevedo: Remote Sensing Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Meredith Roe: Remote Sensing Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Stuart R Phinn: Remote Sensing Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. ORCID
Kirk Larsen: Vulcan Inc, Washington, 98104, USA.
Nicholas J Murray: Remote Sensing Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. ORCID
Doddy Yuwono: Remote Sensing Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Jeremy Wolff: Remote Sensing Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Paul Tudman: Remote Sensing Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Coral reef management and conservation stand to benefit from improved high-resolution global mapping. Yet classifications underpinning large-scale reef mapping to date are typically poorly defined, not shared or region-specific, limiting end-users' ability to interpret outputs. Here we present Reef Cover, a coral reef geomorphic zone classification, developed to support both producers and end-users of global-scale coral reef habitat maps, in a transparent and version-based framework. Scalable classes were created by focusing on attributes that can be observed remotely, but whose membership rules also reflect deep knowledge of reef form and functioning. Bridging the divide between earth observation data and geo-ecological knowledge of reefs, Reef Cover maximises the trade-off between applicability at global scales, and relevance and accuracy at local scales. Two case studies demonstrate application of the Reef Cover classification scheme and its scientific and conservation benefits: 1) detailed mapping of the Cairns Management Region of the Great Barrier Reef to support management and 2) mapping of the Caroline and Mariana Island chains in the Pacific for conservation purposes.
References
Science. 2018 Jan 5;359(6371):80-83
[PMID: 29302011]
