The photos of the Great Barrier Reef and others are a “time-capsule” of the reef’s health. While national parks and forests are accessible to everyone, coral reefs usually can only be seen in person by scuba divers. Visually documenting reefs is crucial to connecting them to the public. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service.Īs a coral reef biologist, I’ve often needed to present the problems reefs face in an engaging way. This reef at Dry Tortugas in the Florida Keys includes many different coral species and supports a myriad of fish, invertebrates and other animals. This is an unprecedented opportunity for conservation organizations like Defenders of Wildlife, to bring coral reef issues to the fore. Not anymore: now anyone with an internet connection can go to Google maps for an up-close and personal look at reef life in a growing collection of 360-degree panoramas.
It used to be that only researchers like me had the opportunity to view and learn about so many different coral habitats and the species that depend on them. There are currently 15,000 images, and by the time the mapping project ends in December, there’ll be about 50,000 available to view! The images were gathered for the Caitlin Seaview Survey, a global study of ocean and coral reef health. Google has launched a new virtual photo tour of the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the largest coral reef on the planet, as well as reefs in Hawaii and the Philippines. Now you can view some of the most beautiful underwater landscapes on Earth, see fish species you never knew existed, and catch sea turtles napping amid beautiful corals.
Ever gone to Google maps and used the “street view” feature to check out a new restaurant? Or to see which side of the road an address was on? Well, get ready to use Google maps in a whole new way.
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