[Coral-List] Reply to Allen Coral Atlas concerns

[Greg Asner]

Dear Vassil Zlatarski,Thank you for sharing your concerns about the
accuracy of the Allen Coral Atlas. We acknowledge there will be some
inconsistencies and errors in our data and how it is displayed on the map,
and we are working to fix them as we continue to refine the mapping and
monitoring process. Our priority remains to first finish mapping the
planet’s coral reefs at the global scale, and then refine the data as we
receive it from fellow scientists like yourself. For this reason, we are
reaching out to different list-servers to request feedback, and these
offers for meetings to discuss are ongoing. We want to confirm to you that
all past feedback and additional data received since the initiation of
version 1 (v1) maps will be considered during this upcoming round of
updates and enhancements. As is the case with all of our data products, we
see this effort as a process, not a one-and-done product. This is why
monitoring is an essential component of the Allen Coral Atlas process. The
more expert feedback and field data we receive from you and the coral reef
community, the better our next version of maps will be.Also, as mentioned
in our Resources page (https://www.allencoralatlas.com/resources/) in the
general Frequently Asked Questions, we have stated that the Atlas is not
for navigation purposes.
We encourage you and the coral reef community to continue to submit any
identified errors with suggested corrections to
corrections at allencoralatlas.org including: Reef name(s); coordinates and/or
a georeferenced polygon (in kml, shapefile, or JSON format); screen shots
from the Atlas of relevant area (annotated with details), explanation of
the error and your suggestion for correcting it/them; any relevant field
data; your contact details.Thank you for your interest in our project and
your continued commitment to the coral reefs across our globe. We will be
following up directly with you via email to further refine the details of
your feedback for Golfo de Guacanayabo, Cuba.

Allen Coral Atlas Team


On Fri, Jun 25, 2021 at 9:02 AM Vassil Zlatarski via Coral-List <
coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov> wrote:

>  Dear All,
>
> Yes, it turned out there are serious concerns about the reliability of the
> Allen Coral Atlas.
>
> In the Allen atlas there are blatant inaccuracies.  For example, in Golfo
> de Guacanayabo, SE Cuba, an entyre coral reef system is missing.  This is
> inexplicable because it is a case of reticulate coral reef system well
> documented by satellite image two decades ago in "World Atlas of Coral
> Reefs".  Even more unexplainable is the appearance of coral reefs where
> they do not exist.
>
> Furthermore, the provided bibliography and information to fix this
> wrongdoing offered to the promoter of the Allen Coral Atlas in this forum
> were accepted with promises, however did not bring any change.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Vassil
>
> P.S. The post above appeared in Coral-List on Dec. 12, 2020 and came as a
> reminder about Allen Coral Atlas inaccuracies, noted previously in
> Coral-List on Aug. 29, 2020.  To the moment no corrections, in the atlas is
> still missing a coral reef system with dimensions 25 km x 40 km and is
> mapped not existing coral reef presence.  Can you imagine if somebody uses
> the Allen Coral Atlas for navigation?   Thanks,  VZ