Validating satellite sea surface temperature measurements for coral reef environment monitoring using in-situ observations

Abstract

Project Title: Validating Satellite Sea Surface Temperature Measurements for Coral Reef Environment Monitoring Using In-situ Observations

NOAA EPP Scholar: Wilsharo Scott

NOAA Mentor: Dr. Gang Liu

Line Office: NESDIS/STAR/Coral Reef Watch

Often referred to as the rainforests of the ocean, coral reef are among the most diverse and beautiful of all marine ecosystems.  They are the home to millions of marine species. They are also of great importance to humans, because they provide the major food source to many coastal communities, protect coastal areas from erosion, generate tourism income, and provide medicinal benefits, among other services.  However, the coral reefs are facing many major threats around the world including climate change, pollution, and over-fishing and have been degrading rapidly during the past few decades.  Mass coral bleaching and mortality, caused by anomalous high water temperatures associated with climate change, have been increasing in both frequency and intensity.  In order to monitor the coral reef environment, improve the understanding of coral bleaching, and to provide timely and accurate information and effective tools to aid coral reef management decisions, NOAA's Coral Reef Watch (CRW) has developed products that monitor coral reefs on global scales using satellite remote sensing data.  The satellite products track areas where mass coral bleaching may occur.  This provides valuable information to coral reef managers and allows them to act in a timely matter.  Various new products are under development at CRW to improve the monitoring and prediction of coral reef environments.  The task of my project includes building a database of high-quality in-situ water temperature observations at or near coral reefs and statistically analyzing the relationship between the in-situ data and CRW satellite data. The purpose of my project is to validate the satellite measurements, to provide information on the accuracy and efficiency of the CRW products, and to assist in the development of improved monitoring products.  This work will eventually help to improve the information available for coral reef scientists and managers.

ADDRESS, E-MAIL AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Wilsharo Scott 1157 Cleveland Hall Blvd.

Old Hickory, TN 37138

615-275-8697 wilsharo.scott@noaa.gov

PRESENTATION TYPE:  Oral

TECHNICAL AREA:  Remote Sensing and Satellites                

AFFILIATION:  STUDENT (Undergraduate)

 

CENTER AFFILIATION:  N/A

ARE YOU APPLYING FOR A STUDENT TRAVEL AWARD: YES