Researchers Use Aerial Images and Artificial Intelligence to Map Coral Across the Main Hawaiian Islands

Researchers used aerial imagery and artificial intelligence for the first time to map coral across the main Hawaiian Islands in a study published in PNAS. From January to February of 2019, scientists with Arizona State University flew an aircraft-based laboratory around each of the main Hawaiian Islands to collect data. This data mapped, within a 2-meter resolution, live coral cover down to about 53 feet (16 meters). They found that nearshore coastal development had a major negative impact on corals due to increased pollution and sedimentation. Click here to learn more.