Global coral bleaching event detection from satellite monitoring of extreme heat stress

• DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2022.883271
• Publication Date: 2022-09-05T13:53:22Z
• Authors: Christine M. Little; Gang Liu; Jacqueline L. De ...; C. Mark Eakin; Derek Manzello; Scott F. Heron
• Keywords: Coral bleaching; Extreme Weather; Oceanic basin

Over the past four decades, coral bleaching events have occurred with increasing frequency and severity, directly linked to ocean temperature due climate change. For latter half of that period, satellite monitoring by NOAA Coral Reef Watch in near real-time has provided invaluable insight into risk. Here, we describe a novel application those products develop basin-scale tools for tracking development extreme heat enable global events. Case studies historical (1982-2018) across three tropical basins (Indian, Pacific Atlantic) were analysed using this approach identify key thresholds stress extent definition bleaching. Global-scale are apparent when all experience at least 10% reef-containing locations. An 8-month ‘detection window’ was determined as optimal period time through which pixels exposed should continue be counted part event account seasonal variations basins. Understanding broader context conditions can inform management individual reefs, networks other reef stakeholders. Operationalising product delivery will provide an effective communication status reefs around world during era unprecedented threats.