AI and social media could help monitor coral reefs

Researchers from the federal universities of Rio Grande do Norte and Paraná have developed a groundbreaking approach to monitoring and conserving coral health off the coast of Brazil. Using artificial intelligence neural networks, this innovative technique has the potential to transform marine conservation efforts.

Corals provide complexity and habitat for diverse species, especially in reef ecosystems. However, rising ocean temperatures and heatwaves pose a significant threat to these organisms, resulting in significant mortality rates worldwide. The loss of corals not only affects individual species, but also reduces their ability to support and attract other marine life.

This decline in coral populations has broader consequences, affecting the overall health of reefs. By focusing on the marine species most vulnerable to climate change, the study aims to provide a cost-effective alternative to the traditional, resource-intensive monitoring methods currently used in Brazil. 

Monitoring these vital ecosystems is not only expensive, but also time-consuming. The goal is to increase the efficiency and affordability of monitoring, ultimately helping to preserve the essential benefits coral reefs provide, such as sustaining...