Unveiling how climate variability shapes coral reefs in the Galapagos Marine Reserve

The marine ecosystems of the Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) host unique biological communities, including some of the world’s most biodiverse coral reefs. However, global climate variability increasingly threatens these reefs, with the GMR experiencing similar degradation. Monitoring these vulnerable sites, especially during and after El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events, is essential for understanding how temperature shifts impact these ecosystems. Using DSLR cameras, overlapping images were captured across eight 10x10 m plots in key coral areas within the GMR, enabling the creation of photomosaic 3D models. Advanced techniques, such as Structure from Motion (SfM) for high-resolution 3D reef mapping and deep learning models for ecological analysis, segmentation, and plot registration, have been employed to facilitate temporal comparisons of coral health and coverage. This research offers an in-depth view of the GMR’s response to climate variability, underscoring the resilience and adaptability of its subtidal communities to environmental shifts. The findings provide the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNPD) with critical insights to inform management strategies aimed at bolstering coral resilience against future climatic events.