Discover how cutting-edge 3D modeling technology is transforming the way marine biologists monitor and restore coral reefs, offering a faster, more accurate, and cost-effective solution to this critical environmental challenge.
Exploring the Potential of Photogrammetry
Throughout history, marine biologists have struggled to assess the health of coral reefs. Hundreds of hours spent underwater, painstakingly measuring and categorizing small areas define the process. The digital revolution, thanks to photogrammetry
The state-of-the-art method enables researchers to generate intricate 3D models of complete reef systems, which are referred to as ‘digital twins’. Using a ‘lawnmower’ pattern dive, collecting thousands of high-resolution but overlapping images, the team are able to create complete and accurate 3D reconstructions of the reef in only half an hour.
This method of monitoring is faster, cheaper and repeatable than traditional monitoring devices. The resulting 3D models are some of the most detailed ever created and will enable scientists to analyse how complex reef structures form, grow (or decline), and respond to environmental changes with an unprecedented level of precision.
Coral Reef Restoration Revolutionized
The importance of this digital revolution also goes beyond just surveillance. The researchers used photogrammetry to monitor the world’s largest coral restoration project ever, known as the Mars Coral Reef Restoration Project in Indonesia.
By creating 3D models of restored and healthy reef habitats, the researchers can show that properly-managed coral restoration does bring the same complexity in reef structure over large parts of a reef. The importance of this finding is underlined by an estimated contribution of restored reefs to become again functioning as untouched reef ecosystem.
In an earlier research project, the team also used photogrammetry technology to measure coral growth rates, down to individual colony size, highlighting the potential of this technology to inform more efficient and directed restoration interventions. Given the dramatic state of many coral reefs and the ongoing climate crisis, these new digital modelling breakthroughs have the potential to revolutionize our approach to saving coral reefs worldwide.
Conclusion
The digital revolution has only just begun, for coral reef monitoring and restoration is abound. Thanks to photogrammetry, marine biologists now have a rapid, accurate and cost-effective way of assessing the state of these important ecosystems. The ongoing improvement of these methods, also arising from the advances in machine learning and cloud computing, however brings a newly optimistic vision for the conservation of coral reefs as well as other critical habitat of around the globe.
