More than 1,000 uncharted coral reefs mapped in vast, understudied northern Australia
Scientists have mapped over 1,000 previously uncharted coral reefs in northern Australia using a new satellite imagery technique. This discovery highlights significant gaps in the understanding of reef distribution in the region. The project aims to provide clearer information for planners and managers regarding reef locations and habitats.
- ▪The newly mapped reefs are located in turbid waters, making them difficult to identify in single satellite images.
- ▪The research team used a composite imagery technique, layering 200 satellite images to reveal the reefs.
- ▪The project has defined the location of more than 3,600 coral reefs and 2,900 rocky reefs across northern Australia.
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(function($) { $(document).ready(function() { const bulletPoints = $('.bulletpoints'); const toggle = $('.bulletpoints-wrapper .content-expander'); if (bulletPoints.length > 0) { const bulletPointsHeight = bulletPoints[0].scrollHeight; if (bulletPointsHeight && bulletPointsHeight <= 170) { toggle.remove(); } toggle.click(function() { bulletPoints.toggleClass('visible'); $('#expander-container.bullets').toggleClass('visible'); $(this).toggleClass('visible'); }); } }); })(jQuery); Scientists have layered hundreds of satellite images to reveal more than 1,000 previously uncharted coral reefs in the turbid waters of northern Australia. The number is comparable to the Great Barrier Reef, though many reefs are smaller in size, researchers say.
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