The Global Reef Expedition: Circumnavigating the Globe to Address the Coral Reef Crisis

The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation completed the Global Reef Expedition – the largest coral reef survey and mapping expedition in history—to aid in the preservation and conservation of coral reefs on a global scale. While circumnavigating the globe, the Foundation conducted extensive research missions throughout the Caribbean, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. Scientists surveyed and mapped coral reefs to collect baseline data on their health and resiliency, identified the current status and major threats to coral reefs, and examined factors that enhance their ability to resist, survive, and recover from major disturbance events. In the process, they developed new scientific tools to map coral reefs and assess their health. In this session, we will share our findings and lessons learned from the Global Reef Expedition, showcase the state-of-the-art data and tools we developed, and discuss our plans for tailored science-based solutions to protect and conserve coral reefs.