Innovation is redefining what's possible in our efforts to restore and protect the Great Barrier Reef. Breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, drones, robotics and environmental DNA are giving us a deeper knowledge of this extraordinary ecosystem by revealing hidden species, tracking elusive animals and capturing details of coral life once impossible to observe. These advances are not only expanding what we know, they are also changing how scientists, Traditional Owners and communities care for the Reef.
By making the unseen visible, innovation is reshaping Reef science and enabling action with greater precision and at scale. Here are some of the technologies that are uncovering the unknown and transforming how we see the Great Barrier Reef:
#Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we monitor and identify marine life. This innovation is particularly valuable as understanding species populations and threats across such a large and complex environment has always been one of the greatest challenges.
AI is giving scientists insights that would take years to collect manually by analysing vast amounts of visual data quickly and accurately. This tool is already helping conservation teams monitor nesting turtles and shorebirds at Raine Island, the world's largest green turtle rookery. Using drone footage combined with automated analysis, researchers can track animal numbers with far greater accuracy and efficiency. AI has also revealed opportunities for an image-based surveillance system that provides real-time data on the locations of crown-of-thorns starfish and their feeding scars through cutting-edge robotics and machine learning technologies.
#Robotics
Advanced underwater and lab-based robotic systems can perform delicate tasks, collect data at scale and watch life unfold at a microscopic level - all with a precision that exceeds human capability. For a dynamic and fragile environment like the Reef, these breakthroughs are game-changing.
One exciting application is in coral restoration, where robotics and machine learning are being used to observe and track the early life stages of corals. Cameras powered by computer vision can automatically detect and monitor coral larvae, giving scientists vital insights into survival and growth that once remained invisible.
#Drones
As our eyes in the skies, drones are giving us a powerful new perspective on the Reef and the animals that depend on it. From above, they can cover vast areas quickly, offering insights that are impossible to capture from land or water alone. This makes them an invaluable tool for monitoring species that are difficult to track while also reducing disturbance to wildlife.
On the Great Barrier Reef, drones are already being used to monitor dugongs and dolphin species populations. These aerial surveys are helping researchers understand populations and behaviours to guide better protection efforts.
#Environmental DNA
From the vast monitoring capabilities of drones, another innovation is helping us explore species populations at a micro level. Environmental DNA, or eDNA, is revolutionising how we detect and monitor life beneath the surface. Every species leaves behind tiny traces of genetic material in the water, and by sampling and analysing this DNA, scientists can uncover a hidden record of biodiversity without ever needing to see or capture the animals themselves.
This approach is already being used on the Reef to reveal fish populations and to detect threats like crown-of-thorns starfish before an outbreak. By making the invisible visible, eDNA is giving us an entirely new way to understand ecosystem health and strengthen our impact.
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