A diverse range of important ecosystems can be monitored using satellite imagery. Whilst imagery may not be able to identify individual animals from space, it can tell us something about large communities of organisms that live in the ocean.

Methods have been developed to characterise phytoplankton by their size, or function (how they contribute to certain ocean biogeochemical processes for example). These methods are based on the way different traits or species interact with light, which makes up the ocean colour signal.

Other approaches have been developed to map species that form important habitats such as coral reefs, seagrasses and mangroves. These habitats provide many important functions for both us and the ocean.

Coral reefs are important biodiversity hotspots, and their calcium carbonate structures are an important store of carbon.

Seagrasses provide another environment in which many species live and breed, and also contribute to photosynthesis. Mangroves exist at the interface between land and sea. They are often nurseries for fish, and provide direct services for coastal communities, acting as barriers to large waves.

Featured Educators:

• Dr Phillippe Gaspar

Explore the data

EUMETSAT Oceans MOOC Data Viewer

Don’t forget you can download the video and transcript with the links on the right.