Duration:2020 until now Updated:2024/06/21
To support the coral restoration project, we have recruited corporate employees of Delta Electronics with diver certification since 2020. Through collaboration with scientists, Delta equips these dedicated volunteers with a comprehensive understanding of coral ecosystems and the necessary skills to use available tools such as CoralNet, iNaturalist, and CoralWatch to enhance restoration efforts.
CoralNet
CoralNet is an international coral reef monitoring network developed by the University of California, San Diego, offering full and semi-automatic analysis of coral reef images. Serving as a data repository and collaboration platform, CoralNet enables users to upload photos and leverages artificial intelligence (AI) for real-time monitoring of coral reef health, significantly enhancing its utility.
In cooperation with coral experts, we have taken proactive steps to train corporate volunteers to become qualified members of the CoralNet community. To date, 30 of Delta's dedicated volunteers have earned the CoralNet certification. These certified volunteers conduct regular coral reef monitoring at designated locations, and their collected data is uploaded to CoralNet, contributing to global coral research resources.
iNaturalist
iNaturalist is a vibrant online community where individuals come together to share their knowledge of biodiversity, fostering a mutual appreciation of the natural world. It features a crowdsourced species identification system and a tool for recording organism occurrences. iNaturalist users can utilize this platform to record their own observations, receive species identification support from AI and citizen scientists, and collaborate with fellow enthusiasts, all contributing to the iNaturalist community.
We have harnessed the iNaturalist platform for coral restoration in the Chaojing Marine Protected Area. Delta's volunteers are encouraged to upload photos of corals and the surrounding marine life, including squids, crabs, and lobsters. By consistently documenting these data on iNaturalist, we can closely monitor changes in the Chaojing coral ecosystem, making valuable contributions to advancing coral research and conservation efforts across the globe.
CoralWatch
CoralWatch is a not-for-profit citizen science program based at The University of Queensland, collaborating with volunteers across the globe to advance understanding of coral reefs, coral bleaching, and climate change. In 2002, CoralWatch developed the Coral Health Chart, a standardized tool that simplifies the assessment of coral health by measuring changes in coral colors. This chart has not only made coral health assessment more accessible but also contributes crucial data to the CoralWatch global database.
To facilitate coral restoration, we introduce the Coral Health Chart from CoralWatch to monitor coral health. Through training, Delta's volunteers learn to compare coral colors with the chart, document key information, including location, coral type, and color numbers, and upload this data through the CoralWatch App. This effort not only aids in the conservation of coral reefs but also assists scientists in conducting vital research and analysis to understand the health trends of coral ecosystems both locally and globally.
Effective coral restoration relies on the increase of algae-eating fishes, which play a vital role in maintaining the health of coral communities.
Building on the preliminary coral research on Delta's Micro CT technology, our goal is to partner with a molecular biology lab to jointly develop application software for calculating coral's bone mineral density.
Since 2023, Delta has started our devotion to coral sexual reproduction and contributes to the research of heat-tolerant coral species cultivation.