Conservationists Use Satellites and Geospatial AI to Guide Caribbean Coral Protections

Excerpt from esri.com

The Caribbean, a tapestry of island nations and developing economies, relies heavily on coral ecosystems. Corals in this region and worldwide are under duress, and now scientists are using an AI-powered 3D model—an environmental digital twin—to protect this vital resource.

Vibrant reefs, teeming with exotic marine life, are the main draw for a $50 billion Caribbean tourism industry. These rich, delicate habitats also provide food security for the region’s 43 million people. Symbiotic mangroves protect roads, farms, marinas, and hotels against the battering of tropical storms strengthened each year by rising ocean surface temperatures.