Coral reef color essentially refers to digital remote sensing of coral reefs.  The most common application of remote sensing in coral reef environments is geomorphological mapping.  This is because, historically, sensor capabilities have been sufficient to identify only broad reef zones such as fore reef, reef flat, and back reef.  Improvements in sensor spatial and spectral resolutions are facilitating the use of remote sensing to identify and map biological features on reefs.  To date, this has been the limit of coral reef remote sensing.

At the CRCL, we are developing the use of airborne and satellite-based digital remote sensing for the study of coral reef environments.  We are developing algorithms for image calibration, geomorphology mapping and biological mapping.  Out goal is to develop a system for analysis of benthic pigment composition and concentration using remote sensing imagery.  (This is the source of the lab's name: compare with "ocean color" as the use of remote sensing to quantify open ocean chlorophyll concentration.)

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