UNEP-WCMC Coral Reef Maps

UNEP-WCMC has produced maps of coral reef distribution by compiling coral reef features into a multi-national, multi-source ARC/INFO GIS. The first set of maps was published in book form (UNEP/IUCN, 1988), and since then have been continually updated, and made available online.

Coral reefs in 118 countries have been mapped and, while there are exceptions, the majority were prepared from sources at scales between 1:250,000 and 1:1,000,000. These sources range from navigational charts to national topographic maps, and occasionally specialist coral reef or shallow substrate maps.

Compete details are given in Spalding and Grenfell (1997). National maps, with reference to their source(s), may be viewed here.