Mapping Technologies and
Monitoring Techniques in
Coral Reef Environments

25 April – 3 May 2026
V edition

#MTMT26 Programme

Mapping Technologies and
Monitoring Techniques in
Coral Reef Environments

25 April – 3 May 2026
V edition

#MTMT26 Programme

Mapping Technologies and
Monitoring Techniques in
Coral Reef Environments

25 April – 3 May 2026
V edition

#MTMT26 Programme

Why this practical training?

Coral reefs are a complex and productive ecosystem encompassing the highest biodiversity of any marine ecosystem; they are unique as they depend on a strong interaction between geomorphic and ecological processes. Right now, they are under unprecedented pressure from climate change and human activities.

Improving how we map, monitor, and quantify reef environments is essential for effective conservation and management. This workshop offers an opportunity to gain practical, field-based experience with advanced technologies in a real tropical reef setting.

Mapping

Acquire terrestrial and submarine topographic and bathymetric data through UAV-based photogrammetry, MBES acoustic bathymetry and backscatter, and underwater imaging techniques

Learning

Learn how to plan, design, and execute surveys; process the data using dedicated software; create geomorphological and habitat maps; and perform advanced spatial analysis

Understanding

Recognise and interpret carbonate producers and geomorphological features in coral reef environments, linking geomorphology
to habitat structure and reef complexity


Develop new skills!

This course will entail an overview of the most advanced techniques used to collect remote sensing data in coral reef environments (e.g. UAVs and MBES)
and to ground-truth them (Photogrammetry). We will present post-processing procedures for both MBES data (Bathymetry and Backscatter)
and UAV imagery (Structure-for-Motion techniques), other than data interpretation, thanks to the use of GIS toolboxes.

Collect terrestrial and marine topographic/bathymetric data using UAVs, MBES and photogrammetry
Plan UAV surveys
with ground-station software, following best practices
Conduct surveys and georeference the models using RTK GNSS Ground Control Points
Process MBES data to generate DTMs and intensity mosaics
Process optical imagery using SfM workflows to produce high-resolution orthomosaics and 3D models
Produce geomorphological
and habitat maps and perform spatial GIS analyses to support reef monitoring
Identify the primary carbonate producers present within coral reef ecosystems
Make new friends while growing your network!

Do you want to know how
was the workshop in
previous years?

Read the reports of previous
#MTMT workshops!

Go to past editions

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