Home : Features : Coral Reefs and Hard Grounds : Monitoring Videos

	Printer-Friendly Version

Movies Now Playing

The coral monitoring group at FWRI makes frequent use of underwater video for many purposes. Video has been used to document scientific methods, underwater construction projects, and damage to coral habitat. Now it is even used instead of still cameras to collect raw data. All of our video was taken using Sony camcorders (8 mm analog, or 4 mm digital) inside Amphibico underwater housings.
These movie files require a plug-in for viewing. Most web browsers include this plug-in. If you cannot view these movie files after download is complete, a free movie player may be obtained from http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/

Video Data Collection
Video collection of raw data is gaining popularity in the world of coral reef science. When using a camera to collect data, some procedures must be standardized. The camera must be held at a constant angle (relative to the ocean floor), maintained at a constant height (using crossed lasers), and moved at a constant speed along the transect line, as shown here. This video was taken at Molasses Reef near Key Largo, Florida.

Coral Spawning
Coral researchers have documented that most of the large, reef-building, boulder corals use a reproductive strategy called mass spawning. Mass spawning is a precise, simultaneous release of both sperm and eggs. Although corals reproduce by other means, mass spawning is probably the most unusual method and is certainly the most exciting tactic to observe. Biologists believe that corals have developed this cooperative approach for a number of reasons. The chief advantage is that mass spawning allows all of the colonies of one species to mix genetically and to maximize the chances for fertilization. This video was taken at night at Molasses Reef near Key Largo, Florida.

Download this 9.6 MB (1:04 minute) movie of coral spawning.

Coral Monitoring Technique
This eight-minute, narrated video shows how FWRI’s Coral Reef Monitoring Project conducts video sampling. The video was presented at the 2000 American Academy of Underwater Scientists (AAUS) convention held in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Authors: Dave Eaken and Matt Lybolt)

The Coral Reef Monitoring Project (CRMP) at FWRI makes extensive use of videography for data collection, using it as a replacement for still photography. Methods for the project were designed around the enormous data collection opportunities videography provides. FWRI films over 10 km (6 miles) of reef habitat at up to 172 permanently marked stations each year. For more information about the CRMP, please see the CRMP page on our site.

**Note this file is 68.9 MB! Download time is 5 hours on an average dial-up Internet connection.
Download this 68.9 MB (8 minutes, narrated) movie on coral monitoring using video technology.

Low-Tech Data Collection
This video was taken at Molasses Reef near Key Largo, Florida. The method of data collection shown here is quite low-tech. The scientist simply observes which coral species are present and marks the information on an underwater data sheet. Underwater paper is usually a type of plastic called Mylar. We preprint data sheets on a laser printer or photocopier. When underwater the scientists only have to fill in some boxes. These data sheets can be written on with an ordinary pencil, and even erased underwater. Underwater paper is a great example of low-tech prevailing over high-tech. Sometimes simple things are the best. Many companies sell waterproof paper including; Xerox, Rite-in-Rain, Forestry Suppliers, and Fisher. At $0.45 per sheet, it doesn't come cheaply!