Predicting 3D and 2D surface area of corals from simple field measurements.

ABSTRACT: The structural architecture of coral reefs is a known predictor of species richness, fish biomass and reef resilience. At a smaller scale, three-dimensional (3D) surface area of corals is a fundamental determinant of physical and biological processes. Quantifying the 3D surface area of corals has applications for a broad range of scientific disciplines, including carbonate production estimates, coral predation studies, and assessments of reef growth. Here, we present morphotaxon-specific conversion metrics to estimate total 3D surface area and projected 2D surface area of individual colonies from simple field measurements of colony maximum diameter. Underwater photogrammetry techniques were used to quantify surface area and estimate conversion metrics. Bayesian models showed strong non-lin

SUBMITTER: Chandler JF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11375061 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature