Data covering the marine environment, including fisheries, coral reef  health, ocean chemistry, and coastal zones.

oceans-seas-coasts

Oceans, Seas, & Coasts

### Overview  
  
The Coral Reef Locations dataset shows the global distribution of known coral reefs from 1954-2018 in tropical and subtropical regions. The UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), WorldFish Centre, World Resources Institute (WRI), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) compiled the map to provide a baseline of data to use in monitoring and managing global coral reefs. 

  
  
According to the [UNEP-WCMC](https://biodiversitya-z.org/content/warm-water-coral-reef), warm-water coral reefs are the most biodiverse marine habitats per unit area, due to their rich ecosystems. Coral reefs provide a habitat for a wide array of species and can be the preferred habitat for some critically endangered species. In addition, coral reefs themselves become one of the most endangered habitats on the planet. Their presence is declining as they face bleaching, diseases caused by rising sea surface temperatures and human activity, such as urban runoff and mining.
 
  
  
This dataset can be used to reference whether local developments will be at risk of putting pressure on coral reefs. It can also be used as a base layer for further research into threats to global reefs, as was done by the [Reefs at Risk](https://www.wri.org/resources/data-sets/reefs-risk-revisited) project led by WRI.  
  
### Methodology  
  
The dataset was compiled using data on coral reef locations from a number of sources. Approximately 85% of this dataset originates from the Millennium Coral Reef Mapping Project. This project used 30 meter resolution multispectral Landsat 7 imagery acquired between 1999 and 2002. The UNEP-WCMC compiled the remaining 15% of data from other sources. These sources include data from the [World Atlas of Coral Reefs](https://www.unep-wcmc.org/resources-and-data/world-atlas-of-coral-reefs-2001) and coral reef maps reproduced with permission from the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office and the [UK Hydrographic Office](http://ukho.gov.uk/).

For the full documentation, please see the source [methodology](https://data.unep-wcmc.org/pdfs/1/WCMC008_CoralReefs2010_v4.pdf?1544544636).
  
  
### Additional Information  
  
Resource Watch shows only a subset of the dataset. For access to the full dataset and additional information, click on the “Learn more” button.

Resource Watch has previously shown data for 2005. This dataset was archived because the methodology has been changed. You can still access the archived data [here](https://resourcewatch.org/data/explore/3624554e-b240-4edb-9110-1f010642c3f3).  
  
### Visualizing the Data  
  
Our team reformatted this dataset before displaying it on Resource Watch. See the documentation on how Resource Watch processed the data on [Github](https://github.com/resource-watch/data-pre-processing/tree/master/bio_004a_coral_reef_locations).  
  
### Disclaimer  
  
Excerpts of this description page were taken from the source metadata.

United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC)

Ocean Watch

Coral Reef Locations

2018 Coral Reef Locations

2018 Coral Reef Locations (Mask)