KAUST researchers have developed an advanced satellite-based remote sensing tool to monitor coral health and assess the severity of bleaching events in the Red Sea. Using thousands of satellite images and a refined mathematical approach, the tool distinguishes between healthy and bleached corals by detecting subtle differences in light reflection. This enables researchers to map bleaching severity across reef systems with high spatial resolution—every ten meters—offering valuable insights into coral resilience and vulnerability.

Unlike traditional field-based methods, which are time-consuming and resource-intensive, this method provides a fast, efficient, and cost-effective solution for large-scale reef monitoring. It also corrects for atmospheric disturbances, such as dust from nearby deserts, improving the accuracy of the data. The tool, developed in partnership with SHAMS and the General Organization for the Conservation of Coral Reefs and Turtles in the Red Sea, serves as an early warning system for coral stress and supports targeted conservation efforts and sustainable marine policy decisions—both in the Red Sea and globally.

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Reference

1. Gokul, E.A., Raitsos, D.E., Brewin, R.J.W., Carvalho, S., Asfahani, K. & Hoteit, I. Remotely sensing coral bleaching in the Red Sea. Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation, early online 26 February (2025).| article