Detection of reef scale thermal stress with Aqua and Terra MODIS satellite for coral bleaching phenomena

Abstract

Satellite monitoring thermal stress on the coral reef is of fundamental importance to understand coral bleaching phenomenon. The new phenomenon of global coral bleaching events is caused highly visual indicator of ocean warming. The rise in global ocean warming generated by climate change and satellite provides an important role in the detection of reef scale thermal stress and changing significant shifts in ocean temperature that cause coral bleaching phenomenon. Surveys conducted at four Island in Western Indonesia region (Bintan Island, Batam Island, Lingga Island and Natuna Island). Satellite data from Aqua and Terra MODIS were used to evaluate the relative importance of bleaching pattern from 2015 to 2016 during the incidence of coral bleaching. Ncdf4 R-analysis and Ocean Data View (ODV) were used to comparison analysis SST anomaly dataset from Aqua and Terra MODIS. To assess the impact of bleaching phenomena on coral communities using photo quadrats with 50 meters transect line at 1 m intervals in sixty-three sampling site (14 sites in Bintan Island, 11 sites in Lingga Island, 19 sites in Natuna Island and 19 Site in Batam Island). Each photograph was analysed in Coral Point Count program with Excel extensions (CPCe). The raw point data from all photographs on a transect line were combined to calculate the percent cover of bleaching phenomena. The percent bleaching incidence during 2015 - 2016 event resulted in positive temperature anomalies above the warmest monthly climatology value of currently increasing Sea Surface Temperature (SST) at 1°C - 2°C on bleaching phenomenon site. Thermal satellite data from Aqua and Terra Modis showed significant related increasing anomaly SST from 2015 and 2016 where coral bleaching occur 34.57% in Bintan Island, 6.56% in Lingga Island, 0,95% in Natuna Island and 10,07% in Batam island, respectively.