Reef Temp Next Generation: A new operational system for monitoring reef thermal stress

The expected increase in the frequency of mass coral bleaching under climate change underlines the importance of thermal stress monitoring systems for coral reef management. ReefTemp Next Generation (RTNG) is a sophisticated remote sensing application designed to operationally monitor the ocean temperatures that can lead to coral bleaching across the Great Barrier Reef. Products are derived from state-of-the-art satellite data; and newly calculated climatologies and management thresholds for bleaching are presented. RTNG is a key component of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s Early Warning System, which informs management action and response strategies.

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