What type of data can in situ loggers collect?

In situ loggers are instruments deployed in a natural environment to continuously collect data on various parameters without the need for frequent manual intervention. The primary function of these devices is to monitor and record environmental conditions such as temperature, light, salinity, and pH levels at specific locations over time. This continuous data collection is critical for understanding the ecological dynamics and health of coral reefs.

In contrast, collecting coral colony genetic information typically requires laboratory analysis and sampling, which is not a function of in situ loggers. Similarly, ecological surveys involve more comprehensive assessments of biodiversity and organism interactions that cannot be conducted solely with the automated data collection that loggers provide. Coral fate tracking typically involves monitoring specific corals over time to determine their health and survival, which again might not be effectively performed by in situ loggers alone without additional observational methods. Thus, the primary correct type of data that in situ loggers can efficiently collect pertains directly to environmental conditions.