It’s not easy to count and record every single species you see while on a scientific dive. To make it easier (and easier to verify after the fact), researchers on an expedition with the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation are taking photo transects of reefs around the world:
Each photo they take covers one square meter of reef. Using these photos, in combination with various computer programs, we can calculate the percentage of each organism on the bottom, the different sizes of corals or even the total area covered by coral. Photo transects are just another tool we have to help us describe and evaluate these reefs.
Another standard tool used on coral reefs are ARMS, which act like mini-condominiums for tiny animals living on reefs! A better way to measure marine life, ARMS allow researchers to compare coral animal diversity from reefs around the world.
Photos: 1) Brian Beck; 2) Ken Marks
