Effective management of marine resources begins with knowing the types, amounts, and spatial distribution of resources. Rigorously ground-truthed benthic habitat mapping using remote sensing data are interpreted into seafloor habitats, providing valuable information for management. In general, benthic habitats have been mapped in many coral reef ecosystems using a variety of techniques and data types,… Continue Reading Cryptic Coral Reefs in the Gulf
In September 2014, NOAA Fisheries published a federal register notice that listed seven coral species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The Council is collaborating with NOAA to host and maintain the ESA corals database in our coral portal. If you want to know where the corals are in the Gulf Of Mexico, check… Continue Reading ESA Coral Explorer
The ivory tree coral (Oculina varicosa) can be found in shallow and deep waters. In shallow waters, it is often patchily distributed on coarse shelly reef. However, in deeper water, it can occur as a massive, bush-like aggregation. Oculina reefs typically occur in regions on the shelf edge where water flows upward from depth. It… Continue Reading A closer look at the Ivory Tree Coral
Lophelia pertusa is a prominent deep-sea coral in the Gulf of Mexico and one that plays a significant role in the designation of Habitat Areas of Particular Concern. So, it’s going to be the first in a series of deep-water corals we’ll be profiling in storyboards.We’re going to dig in a little deeper to find out… Continue Reading Lophelia pertusa: A Closer Look
Deep-sea corals are of particular conservation concern due to their slow growth rates and vulnerability to disturbance. Predicitive modeling of deep-sea coral habitat can aid conservation planning, inform management of offshore activities affecting the seafloor, and guide exploration. Modeling can also lend insights into the environmental factors driving the distribution of deep-sea corals, helping to… Continue Reading Predictive Modeling of Deep-sea Coral Habitat
