Coral reefs, critical marine ecosystems for biodiversity and coastal protection, face unprecedented threats from global climate change and localized human activities. This study investigates methodologies for analyzing reef health using freely available data and explores the potential link between reef change and human interaction in Barbados, a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) heavily reliant on tourism. We establish a methodology for monitoring reef area and structure over a ten-year period (2013-2023) along the west coast of Barbados, utilizing freely available satellite imagery and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. This approach offers a cost-effective and scalable solution for reef health assessments. Our analysis reveals a significant decline in overall reef size (average -7.52%), suggesting potential degradation. Furthermore, spatial analysis demonstrates a correlation between areas with substantial reef decline and patterns of tourist activity, as indicated by the distribution of Airbnb listings. These findings highlight the effectiveness of remote sensing for large-scale reef monitoring and emphasize the urgency for targeted conservation strategies. The results underscore the need to mitigate the negative impacts of anthropogenic activities, particularly tourism, on these vital ecosystems to ensure their long-term health and sustainability.
Max Buglisi (Sun,) studied this question.
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