Evaluating the Effects of Heat Temperature Stress on Coral’s Fluorescence and Reflectance Signature using Point-Specific Hyperspectral Remote Sensing

Andrea Michelle Gomez, The City College of New York, anmigome@gmail.com (Presenter)
Kyle McDonald, The City College of New York, kmcdonald2@ccny.cuny.edu
Ana Carnaval, City College of New York, acarnaval@ccny.cuny.edu
Cheryl Woodley, Marine Biotechnology Program, U.S. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, cheryl.woodley@noaa.gov
Sylvia Galloway, Marine Biotechnology Program, U.S. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research, sylvia.galloway@noaa.gov

Coral reefs can be considered to be part animal, plant, and mineral, and have been around for millions of years, dating from the Triassic. Coral systems are currently threatened by such climate change-driven effects as rising sea level and fluctuating temperatures. As a result of climate change, over the next few decades sea surface temperatures are expected to rise in some regions while lowering in others, resulting in further coral mortality. In this study we examine coral fluorescence and reflectance signatures in response to water temperature to assess the potential of employing these signatures as a diagnostic tool to measure coral health. We first conducted heat stress experiments on three Caribbean species of coral: Acropora cervicornis, Orbicella annularis, and Porites furcata. We found that all three species exhibited signs of stress and bleaching. No significant change was noticed in the host fluorescence, however there was a noticeable change in the algae’s fluorescence for A. cervicornis and O. annularis. Reflectance data revealed a noticeable change between the control and heat treatments, with the stressed coral having a higher reflectance value, due to more exposed skeleton. The results from the PAM fluorometer demonstrated that the photosystems of the algae were damaged, implying that the immediate effect of the heat stress was on the algae. Currently we are conducting cold stress experiments and expect to observe similar signs of stress to the organisms. The data from our study suggest that changes in chlorophyll fluorescence and reflectance signatures are consistent with declining coral health. Results of this study will be extended to examine linkages to satellite-based remote sensing measures utilized in NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch and will enable marine managers and conservation agencies to better monitor coral health and aid in their preservation.



This research is fully funded and supported by The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Cooperative Remote Sensing Science and Technology Center (NOAA-CREST). NOAA CREST Cooperative Agreement No: NA11SEC4810004

We would like to thank The City College of New York, the NOAA-CREST program, the NOAA NOS Center for Environmental and Biomolecular Research, and Hollings Marine Lab for the facilities and resources provided.

Presentation Type:  Poster

Session:  General Contributions   (Tue 4:35 PM)

Associated Project(s): 

• McDonald, Kyle: Vegetation Phenology Assessment Using Satellite Radar Remote Sensing: Global Monitoring of Daily and Seasonal Changes in Canopy Structure and Water Status ...details
• Related Activity: Related Activity or Previously Funded CC&E Activity not listed ...details

Poster Location ID: 145