Satellite Remote Sensing and the Marine Biodiversity Observation Network: Current Science and Future Steps

Abstract

Coastal ecosystems are rapidly changing due to human-caused global warming, rising sea level, changing circulation patterns, sea ice loss, and acidification that in turn alter the productivity and composition of marine biological communities. In addition, regional pressures associated with growing human populations and economies result in changes in infrastructure, land use, and other development; greater extraction of fisheries and other natural resources; alteration of benthic seascapes; increased pollution; and eutrophication. Understanding biodiversity is fundamental to assessing and managing human activities that sustain ecosystem health and services and mitigate humankind’s indiscretions. Remote-sensing observations provide rapid and synoptic data for assessing biophysical interactions at multiple spatial and temporal scales and thus are useful for monitoring biodiversity in critical coastal zones. However, many challenges remain because of complex bio-optical signals, poor signal retrieval, and suboptimal algorithms. Here, we highlight four approaches in remote sensing that complement the Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON). MBON observations help quantify plankton functional types, foundation species, and unique species habitat relationships, as well as inform species distribution models. In concert with in situ observations across multiple platforms, these efforts contribute to monitoring biodiversity changes in complex coastal regions by providing oceanographic context, contributing to algorithm and indicator development, and creating linkages between long-term ecological studies, the next generations of satellite sensors, and marine ecosystem management.

Current Trends and Issues in Applications of Remote Sensing in Coastal and Marine Conservation

“…The geological, physical, chemical, and biological makeup of coastal and nearshore habitats is complex [2]. Due to this complexity, ecological specificity, and high spatiotemporal variability, coastal zones harbor some of the most endangered ecosystems on Earth [3] and offer valuable and often unique services.…”

“…The indispensability of coastal and nearshore ecosystem services is particularly true for the coastal zones of Europe, whose main features are indented coastlines, the plentitude of islands, estuaries, and lagoons, as well as stark anthropogenic pressures and disturbances [6]. Furthermore, multiple stressors to coastal and nearshore habitats and ecosystems associated with global climate change work, in addition to changes in water quality, related to an upstream land use, nutrient discharge, and coastal infrastructure [2].…”

“…RS is also a good methodology for monitoring biological patterns and processes, e.g., by providing information on biomass or dominant taxa of lower trophic levels from observing surface watercolor [2]. Additionally, biological and physical parameters that structure biodiversity patterns can be derived from RS data [9].…”

Characteristics and Trends of Ocean Remote Sensing Research from 1990 to 2020: A Bibliometric Network Analysis and Its Implications

“…The main reason is that the development of ocean remote sensing is driven by the environment in which marine economy prospered and ocean exploitation strategies arised in the early 21st century. To achieve the healthy and sustainable development of marine economy, we must rely on the development of high-tech, such as marine remote sensing, which are complementary [68][69][70][71].…”

Editorial: Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON)

“…Bravo et al used artificial intelligence to evaluate macroalgae and sessile organisms on rocky shores across the American continent, from Patagonia (Argentina) to Canada, including the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador). Livore et al expanded a study of rocky shore biodiversity to include satellite-derived assessments of biogeography or "Seascapes" of Kavanaugh et al (2021).…”