Coral reef health assessment has relied on benthic photographic surveys as an essential measurement tool for decads. The emergence of gigapixel image (1 billion pixels) stitching technologies makes possible the creation of high-definition benthic image maps surveys (HDBIMS). These image maps provide the traditional overall percentage converage data. In addition, they allow zoom capabilities in such detail that scientists can, for example, count the polyps on a coral head. While the image maps are easily viewed over the Internet they are challenging to produce. Numerous previous studies have contributed to the advancement of high-definition benthic survey methods. This ongoing HDBIMS study is focused on production methods that (1) produce the best image quality for the lowest cost, (2) provide accurate and repeatable results at any depth over time, and (3) utilize off-the-shelf (OTS) stitching software that allows accurate results that can be reviewed in the field. This structured approach to image acquisition integrated with the OTS grid-oriented stitching software produces highly accurate benthic image maps.
