@article{047f5b4f9c054da591b9f5dc51b59451,
title = "Mapping the world's coral reefs using a global multiscale earth observation framework",
abstract = "Coral reefs are among the most diverse and iconic ecosystems on Earth, but a range of anthropogenic pressures are threatening their persistence. Owing to their remoteness, broad spatial coverage and cross-jurisdictional locations, there are no high-resolution remotely sensed maps available at the global scale. Here we present a framework that is capable of mapping coral reef habitats from individual reefs (~200 km2) to entire barrier reef systems (200 000 km2) and across vast ocean extents (>6 000 000 km2). This is the first time this has been demonstrated using a consistent and transparent remote sensing mapping framework. The ten maps that we present achieved good accuracy (78% mean overall accuracy) from multiple input image datasets and training data sources, and our framework was shown to be adaptable to either benthic or geomorphic reef features and across diverse coral reef environments. These new generation high-resolution map data will be useful for supporting ecosystem risk assessments, detecting change in ecosystem dynamics and targeting efforts to monitor local-scale changes in coral cover and reef health.",
keywords = "Coral reefs, machine learning, mapping, monitoring, remote sensing",
author = "{B. Lyons}, Mitchell and {M. Roelfsema}, Chris and {V. Kennedy}, Emma and {M. Kovacs}, Eva and Rodney Borrego-Acevedo and Kathryn Markey and Meredith Roe and {M. Yuwono}, Doddy and {L. Harris}, Daniel and {R. Phinn}, Stuart and Asner, {Gregory P.} and Jiwei Li and {E. Knapp}, David and {S. Fabina}, Nicholas and Kirk Larsen and Dimosthenis Traganos and {J. Murray}, Nicholas",
note = "Funding Information: This project was initiated and funded primarily through Paul G. Allen Philanthropies and Vulcan Inc. Project partners providing financial, service and personnel include: Planet Inc., National Geographic, University of Queensland, Arizona State University and University of Hawai'i. Significant support has also been provided by Google Inc., Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Trimble (Ecognition). This project was initiated and funded primarily through Paul G. Allen Philanthropies and Vulcan Inc. We acknowledge the late Paul Allen and Ruth Gates for their fundamental vision and drive to enable us to work together on this critical problem. Project partners providing financial, service and personnel include: Planet Inc., National Geographic, University of Queensland, Arizona State University and University of Hawai'i. Significant support has also been provided by Google Inc., Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Trimble (Ecognition). Contributors to establishing and running the project include: Vulcan Inc [James Deutsch, Lauren Kickham, Paulina Gerstner, Charlie Whiton, Kirk Larsen, Sarah Frias Torres, Kyle Rice, Janet Greenlee, Planet Inc [Andrew Zolli, Trevor McDonald, Joe Mascaro, Joe Kington], University of Queensland [Chris M. Roelfsema, Stuart R. Phinn, Emma V. Kennedy, Dan L. Harris, Mitchell B. Lyons, Nicholas J. Murray, Eva M. Kovacs, Rodney Borrego-Acevedo, Kathryn Markey, Meredith Roe, Paul Tudman]; Arizona State University [Greg Asner, Dave Knapp, Jiwei Li, Nick S. Fabina, Heather D'Angelo]; and National Geographic [Helen Fox, Brianna Bambic, Brian Free] and Great Barrier Reef Foundation [Petra Lundgren]. We thank the other people and groups (too many to name) who tirelessly enable collection and processing of field data. Two anonymous reviewers substantially improved the scope and impact of the manuscript. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020 The Authors. Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Zoological Society of London",
year = "2020",
month = dec,
doi = "10.1002/rse2.157",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "6",
pages = "557--568",
journal = "Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation",
issn = "2056-3485",
publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell",
number = "4",
}