CONDUCTING TRAININGS IN CRF™ PHOTOMOSAIC METHODS
Coral reef restoration is an emerging conservation strategy with Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) at the helm of innovative, large-scale techniques. Finding the right outplanting methods and monitoring long-term success across different sites are central to our work.
In the early days, we planted a few thousand corals each year, with divers manually checking 20% of these. But this approach was time-consuming and only provided a snapshot of individual corals, not the wider ecosystem. With the rapid increase in outplanting – now thousands of corals each month – we needed a more comprehensive way to monitor success. Enter photomosaics, our new site monitoring approach implemented in 2021, which provides a holistic view of the reefs and allows us to measure coral-covered surface area.
However, scientific advancements are not just for us – they’re meant to be shared, enhancing restoration efforts everywhere. Navigating photomosaic technology can be tricky, so we’re here to lend a hand. At the Reef Futures Conference workshop in September 2022, we started sharing our progress. Now, we offer virtual mosaic training headed by our Photomosaic and Technology Coordinator, Alex Neufeld, and Director of Restoration Strategy, Jessica Levy. Our first trainees? The team at Roatan Marine Park Authority.
In these trainings, we discuss the history and theory behind photomosaics, the pros and cons, and the process we use at CRF. We dive into the details of camera settings, image collection, and even our automated stitching software, CeruleanAI, making the process more accessible. We also explain how to gather metrics on coral growth using the final images.
Our photomosaic process is just one tool in the box; not every method suits every project or location. We share our knowledge, allowing other organizations like Roatan to adapt our methods to their unique needs. As we continue collaborating with Roatan and others, we’re optimistic about scaling up restoration across our blue ocean planet.
Written by: Sage, CRF Intern
