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Description:
Author(s):
Strong, A. E., Barrientos, C. S., Duda, C., Sapper, J.
Title:
Improved satellite techniques for monitoring coral reef bleaching
Publication Date:
1997
Publication Place:
Panama City, Panama
Proceedings Title:
Proceedings of the 8th International Coral Reef Symposium, Panama City, Panama, June 24-29, 1996
Page(s):
1495-1498
Abstract:
"Satellite-derived sea surface temperatures (SSTs) have been used to identify the areal extent of coral reef bleaching. A new, high_resolution satellite SST climatology has been developed to produce anomaly fields. These fields make it possible to quickly pinpoint regions of elevated surface temperatures throughout the Tropics. Whenever positive SST anomalies occur during the warmest months of the year, often a 1bC elevation above the monthly mean maximum accompanies bleaching. To take advantage of this finding, an experimental SST chart has been developed for the Tropics that compares presently observed SSTs to the warmest monthly mean SSTs at each location. These special anomalies, that show SSTs in excess of the highest monthly values, denote potential bleaching activity is most likely underway wherever a +1bC elevation above the monthly mean maximum exists. These new fields are shown for bleaching episodes of 1990, 1991, 1994, and 1995."
Keywords:
Remote sensing; Stress; Bleaching; SST
Electronic Access:
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