Activities in this field include development of morphology-based reflectance model specific to corals and assessment of sedimentation and other potential and real stresses on coral reef areas. Conventionally, coral reef mapping by remote sensing is confined to discrimination of different benthic cover. Our research focuses on examining the details of coral reflectance and its governing parameters including geometric, structural and observation conditions.
Below is a processed satellite (Landsat 7 ETM+) data of the Ishigaki Island east coast called the Shiraho Reef. It shows the extent of sedimentation in the reef area through time.