Corals are vital ecosystem engineers, supporting marine biodiversity. With over 60% of corals at risk, increasing maritime traffic poses significant threats. Assessment of the spatial relationship between cold-water coral reefs and maritime infrastructure along the U.S. East Coast and Gulf of Mexico will be conducted using GIS. It will map coral reef locations, shipping lanes, and port centers. Buffer and hotspot analyses will be utilized to identify regions most at risk of maritime activity by showing low, medium, and immediate risk areas. The research will provide critical data on the geospatial correlation between cold-water corals and maritime infrastructure, supporting conservation strategies and sustainable development. Previous studies have shown negative effects of shipping on tropical coral reefs, but limited research exists on cold-water corals along the U.S. coastline. It is hypothesized that areas with high shipping activity and proximity to ports will exhibit the greatest risk of degradation.
