A Pioneering Approach to Coral Reef Management

The coral reefs of Dry Tortugas National Park, 70 miles west of Key West, Florida harbor a rich and colorful variety of marine life such as fish, lobsters, sponges, sea stars, and anemones. Clear waters with excellent visibility offer some of the best underwater viewing opportunities in the United States.

Until now, Dry Tortugas National Park was the only remaining section of Florida’s Coral Reef to not show signs of the Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease - an infectious, water-borne disease that impacts hard coral species and damages entire reefs.

In the spring of 2021, the Submerged Resources Center (SRC) began conducting large-scale photogrammetry surveys of coral monitoring sites in advance of potential Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease.

In June of 2021, this disease was first reported in the park by park biologists.

“Finding it early is significant, because without treatment, the disease has the potential to destroy the park’s underwater gardens, as affected corals have a nearly 100% mortality rate.”  Pedro Ramos, Superintendent, Dry Tortugas National Park.

Rugosity is a term to define the structural complexity of a reef which is a key factor tied to biodiversity and biological capacity. Areas of high rugosity are likely to provide more habitat for fish and substrate for corals. A common technique to measure seafloor rugosity involves a lightweight brass chain draped over an established transect area. The amount of chain laying on the bottom needed to span the straight-line distance of a transect is used to calculate a rugosity index.

Because the SeaArray generates three-dimensional data, cross sections of a transect or reef can be measured, generating a rugosity index.

Designed in partnership with Marine Imaging Technologies, the SeaArray was engineered to establish a new standard of interactive digital 3D models. It is a revolutionary tool for science and education.

UWIS is an underwater tracking, navigation and communication system for divers and ROVs. It is a powerful tool for science and to increase safety for underwater activities.

AccuPixel Ltd concentrates on the forensic application of photogrammetry. AccuPixel offers software, training, and consultancy services to enable those in the field to create reliable high-value 3D and 2D assets of real-world scenes. From preserving evidence to recording underwater habitats, AccuPixel provides photogrammetry in unprecedented detail.

For more information, please contact Brett Seymour, NPS Submerged Resources Center at brett_seymour@nps.gov.