Google Earth Satellite images are available to anyone with computer access. For many years, meteorologists have utilized satellite images to predict weather. Global Positioning System (GPS) devices use satellites to ascertain a certain geographical location. With Google Earth satellite images, scientists can observe objects, landmarks, animal populations, and remote areas all over the world for their research.

One recent scientific study involved an analysis of grazing halos, around the Great Barrier Reef, that were discovered via satellite images. Grazing halos are rings of sand in the ocean, where the vegetation has been stripped bare due to over-grazing by the local marine life. The study was completed by marine biologist Dr. Elizabeth Madin and her team from University of Technology, in Sydney, Australia. The research was conducted at Heron Island, in the Great Barrier Reef. The focus of the study was to observe the behavior of the marine life on the reef to determine why they did not venture far from the reef to forage for food. The scientists hypothesized that fear of predators limited their search for food and led to over-grazing.

The research team determined that the herbivores living in the coral would only forage in areas where shelter could be quickly obtained. As the distance from the reef was increased, their shelter decreased, ergo the decimation of the vegetation decreased and the vegetation canopy increased. The scientist concluded that their research did confirm the hypothesis. The herbivore marine life caused the halos because of their fear of predators. They would only graze in a safe area close to the reef. This discovery and research were all made possible because of the Google Earth satellite images.

Satellite-image-based research is an important new tool that is beneficial to the public and to scientists in all genres. Studying the satellite images over a period of time could reveal important changes in the Earth’s ecosystems. Monitoring the migration habits, of various land and sea animals, could also be accomplished by satellite image tracking. Satellite images are available, free-of-charge on Google Earth to anyone, anytime, or anywhere on the Earth. All that is needed is to access Google Earth. The possibilities, for satellite image-based research, are unlimited!