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Moreton Bay broadscale habitats 2008

Broadscale habitat types identified within the Moreton Bay Marine Park as part of the 2007 zoning review (see lineage for full details of study).

Simple

Identification info

Date (Creation)
2007-12-02T00:00:00
Date (Publication)
2017-01-09
Credit
State of Queensland (Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing) 2016.
Status
Completed

Point of contact

Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing (NPSR), Queensland Government
Australia
Topic category
  • Geoscientific information

Extent

N
S
E
W


Temporal extent

Time period
2007-09-12 2007-12-02
Maintenance and update frequency
Not planned

Resource format

Title
ESRI Shapefile
Date
Edition
-
Keywords (Theme)
  • marine protected area (MPA)
  • marine zonation
  • Benthic habitat
  • HABITAT_TY
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Earth Science Keywords Version 8.0
  • EARTH SCIENCE | BIOSPHERE | AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS | BENTHIC HABITAT
  • EARTH SCIENCE | BIOSPHERE | AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS | MARINE HABITAT
  • EARTH SCIENCE | BIOSPHERE | AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS | REEF HABITAT
Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC): Fields of Research
  • Environmental Management
  • Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl. Marine Ichthyology)
  • Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified

Resource specific usage

Specific usage
Data supplied for use by the Seamap Australia Project.

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Resource constraints

Classification
Unclassified

Resource constraints

Linkage
http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by/4.0/88x31.png

License Graphic

Title
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License


>

Website
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

License Text

Other constraints
Cite data as: Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing, Queensland Government (2008). Moreton Bay broadscale habitats 2008. Data accessed at http://metadata.imas.utas.edu.au/geonetwork/srv/en/metadata.show?uuid=806decf7-1260-44b8-b5a0-cc96a746cedc on (access date).
Other constraints
This dataset is hosted by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania, on behalf of the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing, Queensland Government for the purposes of Seamap Australia (testing a national marine benthic habitat classification scheme).
Language
English
Character encoding
UTF8

Content Information

Content type
Physical measurement
Description
Benthic habitat classification
Name
HABITAT_TY

Description
Appended to original data for styling purposes for the Seamap Australia Project.
Name
Benthic habitat

Name
SM_HAB_CLS

Distribution Information

Distribution format
  • ESRI Shapefile

OnLine resource

Protocol
OGC:WFS-1.0.0-http-get-feature--shapefile
Name of the resource
SHAPE-ZIP
Description
DATA ACCESS - This OGC WFS service returns the data (Moreton Bay broadscale habitats) in Shapefile format.
OnLine resource
seamap:SeamapAus_QLD_MoretonBay_broadscale

MAP - Moreton Bay broadscale habitats

OnLine resource
Original metadata record [QLD Government catalogue]

Data quality info

Hierarchy level
Dataset

Report

Measure description
The horizontal accuracy of the habitat model varies greatly depending on the habitat type. For example, mangrove forests were digitised from orthophotographs (0.6 metre pixel) and this habitat class is very accurate. At the other end of the spectrum the habitats identified from the Stevens (2004) work are based on survey points spaced at five kilometre intervals. If more detail on horizontal accuracy is required, please contact the data custodian (Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing, Queensland Government).

Report

Measure description
This dataset is complete

Report

Measure description
All dataset attributes are complete and are one hundred percent accurate.

Resource lineage

Statement
The habitat model was designed to capture broadscale ecological marine habitats that exist within the Moreton Bay Marine Park. The starting point for the model was a study conducted by Stevens (2004) that investigated macrobenthic habitat types in Moreton Bay using underwater video techniques. The study surveyed 111 sites, spaced five kilometres apart, extending from shallow subtidal waters to offshore waters to the 50m isobath. Nine habitat types were recognized in the study, including: bioturbated mud, sparse sand and rubble, seagrass dominated, inshore algae and sponge, diverse sandy, depauperate sandy, offshore sparse diverse, bioturbated sparse, and reefal. Although the Stevens (2004) study was the most comprehensive of its type ever undertaken in Moreton Bay it was generally limited to depths greater than five metres and waters where the turbidity did not prevent the use of underwater video. Hence, many of the nearshore and estuarine areas of the bay were not mapped as part of the study. A habitat model working group, consisting of EPA staff and several members of the EAP, was established to review existing data and determine what habitats would be required for inclusion to the model. It was determined that a hierarchical approach was required where the bay was divided into five broadscale biomes consisting of: riverine/estuarine, coastal hard/rocky, coastal sedimentary, deep sedimentary, and hard/rocky deep. Within two of the biomes only one habitat type was identified, however there were 14 habitat types identified within the other three biomes. Habitat types within each biome: 1. Riverine/estuarine biome: Riverine/estuarine 2. Coastal hard/rocky biome: Inshore reef, Rocky shores, Rocky headland, Inshore algae/sponge habitat 3. Coastal sedimentary biome: Seagrass, Mangrove/intertidal habitat (mangroves, saltmarsh, mudflats), Sandy channels (sandy tidal banks, shallow channels), High energy coastal, Bioturbated mud 4. Sedimentary deep biome: Diverse sandy, Bioturbated sand, Offshore sandy, Sand/rubble, Offshore deep 5. Hard/rocky deep biome: Offshore reef The spatial extents of the habitats not identified in the Stevens (2004) study were derived using existing datasets or by using bathymetry as a proxy for the habitat boundary. For example, the high energy the coastal habitats were defined using the six metre depth contour. Other habitats such as mangrove habitat and the sandy channels were defined by amalgamating the classifications in the Geoscience Australia Coastal Waterways Geomorphic Habitats model. Once amalgamated these habitats were checked against orthorectified aerial photography for accuracy. The least studied regions of the park were the offshore reefs and habitats in greater than 50m of waters. To fill this void in knowledge the EPA commissioned WBM to undertake a habitat mapping investigation throughout a large portion of the Marine Park's oceanic area. The habitat mapping performed by WMB was done using a combination of georeferenced sonar and video. The acoustic sonar readings were processed using special seabed habitat mapping software known as QTC view. This software clusters the raw acoustic data by calculating statistics for the acoustic echoes. This data was then interpolated to fill in the voids between the acoustic survey lines. The modelled habitat classifications were then validated by the georeferenced video that had been collected for 90 different locations in the offshore region. The resulting habitat Moreton Bay habitat model represents 16 broadscale habitats extending from the highest astronomical tide line on the mainland to the waters of the marine park that extend to the edge of the Coastal Waters of Queensland. The model represents the most comprehensive habitat model currently available for the Moreton Bay region and will form the basis for many of the decisions relating to the size and placement of zones during the rezoning of Moreton Bay. Short description of identified habitats: Bioturbated Mud - Generally shallow muddy inshore environment that is heavily worked by infauna. The waters are usually very turbid allowing little light penetration to the seabed. Regular nutrient enrichment to this area from the adjacent river systems provides habitat for a diverse community of fish and benthic species. Bioturbated Sand - Sandy areas with heavily worked sediment and littered with small burrows from infauna such as worms and yabbies. Diverse Sandy - Dynamic sandy area that generally consists of a complex series of channels and sand banks. Unlike many of the sparse sandy areas of Moreton Bay this habitat is dominated by very high density patches of anemones. High Energy Coastal - Sandy strip of coastline extending from the hightide mark to six metre depth contour. The area is generally very dynamic due to the high energy wave action that it experiences during most of the year. Inshore, Algae Sponge Habitat - Macrobenthos dominated by algae and sponges, with significant contributions from solitary sea squirts, anemones and seagrass. Inshore reef - Generally fringing reefs and reef flats that are patchy, and interspersed with seagrass or soft substrate communities. Support particularly rich and diverse fish and invertebrate communities. Mangrove/Intertidal Habitat - Distributed throughout the bay this habitat incorporate stands of seven different species of mangroves and also includes adjacent saltmarshes and mudflats. The mangroves generally occur in intertidal areas that are protected from strong wave action by extensive mud flats. Offshore Deep - Characterised by fine silty sand at depths greater than 50m. The bedform is usually flat and featureless. There is little conspicuous fauna in this habitat although there is evidence of bioturbation. Offshore Reef - covers a range of reef habitats from emergent reefs, such as Flinders Reef, through to deep algae dominated reefs such as Deep Tempest. These areas host a unique assemblage of tropical and subtropical species, with many of the tropical species at their southernmost limit. Offshore Sandy - Habitat between depths of six to 50m dominated by fine to medium sand. Bioturbation in this habitat is highly variable and patchy with a diverse, yet sparse faunal community. Riverine/Estuarine - This habitat includes the rivers and creeks of Moreton Bay that are often lined with mangroves. These areas are often nursery grounds for juveniles of many fish and invertebrate species. Rocky Headland - Exposed to moderate to strong wave action from the South Pacific Ocean. Distinct communities of fish and invertebrates inhabit these areas that often are dotted with rock pools at low tide. Rocky Shores - Sheltered low energy rocky shores found that experience much less wave action than rocky headlands. These areas are typified by rocky outcrops that are exposed at low tide. They support a diverse mix of plants and animals that have adapted to survive this habitat's unique conditions. Sandy Channels - Area of sandy and muddy channels that flow through the mangrove habitats of Moreton Bay. These areas are typified with shifting sand banks and patches of seagrass. Sand/Rubble - Relatively sparse areas with low densities of mobile macroinvertebrates such as sea urchins, feather stars, bivalves, and occasional sponges and soft corals attached to patches of rubbly substrate. Seagrass - Generally sandy areas with medium to high seagrass cover. This habitat provides important feeding grounds for turtles and dugongs.
Hierarchy level
Attribute

Resource lineage

Statement
Creation of habitat polygons from Stevens (2004): Polygons were derived from the Voronoi tessellation constructed from the point data and habitat classifications found in Stevens (2004). The resulting dataset formed the basis for the following habitats within the model: bioturbated mud; bioturbated sand; diverse sandy; inshore algae/sponge; offshore sandy; sand rubble. Stevens T.F. (2004) Initial Classification of Subtidal Benthic Habitats of Moreton Bay. A report for the Queensland Environmental Protecton Agency and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, August 2004. Griffith University, Australia. Inshore reef: Inshore reef polygons were derived from the EPA data layer Moreton Bay Coral 2004. This dataset was checked against NRW orthophotography and was generally extended to include the reef flat area adjacent of the reef proper. Mangrove/intertidal habitat: Polygons digitised from NRW orthophotography Offshore deep: Polygon was generated from the 50m depth contour in MSQ bathymetry dataset. Offshore reef: Polygons were primarily derived from the data reported in the offshore mapping project undertaken by WBM (Morgan et al. 2007). In addition to the WBM data, which included acoustic and video surveys, reef habitat was derived from hydrography charts, offshore fishing guides and trawling data. Morgan C., Hastie B., Richardson D. (2007) SubTidal Benthic Habitat Mapping Study Priority Areas within the Moreton Bay Marine Park: Draft Report. BMT WBM Pty Ltd. Riverine/estuarine: Polygons were derived by determining cutoff lines for the mouths of rivers and creeks from NRW orthophotography. Rocky headland: Created by buffering the coastline for 200m around rocky headland areas identified using NRW orthophotography. Rocky shores: Created by buffering the coastline for 200m around rocky shore habitat identified using NRW orthophotography. Sandy channels: Polygons derived by clipping the mangrove/intertidal, riverine/estuarine, and inshore coral habitat polygons from the northern and southern ends of Moreton Bay. High energy coastal: Polygons built from 6m depth contours derived from MSQ bathymetric contour and spot depth data. Seagrass: Polygons derived from Moreton Bay Seagrass 2004 dataset and Stevens (2004) data.
Hierarchy level
Dataset

Metadata

Metadata identifier
urn:uuid/806decf7-1260-44b8-b5a0-cc96a746cedc

Language
English
Character encoding
UTF8

Point of contact

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania (UTAS) - IMAS Data Manager
Parent metadata
  • Seamap Australia National Benthic Habitat Layer (NBHL)

Type of resource

Resource scope
Dataset
Metadata linkage
https://metadata.imas.utas.edu.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/806decf7-1260-44b8-b5a0-cc96a746cedc

Point of truth URL of this metadata record

Date info (Creation)
2020-09-23T12:32:23
Date info (Revision)
2025-02-21T22:03:38

Metadata standard

Title
ISO 19115-3:2018
 
 

Overviews

Spatial extent

N
S
E
W


Keywords

Benthic habitat HABITAT_TY marine protected area (MPA) marine zonation
Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC): Fields of Research
Environmental Management Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl. Marine Ichthyology)
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Earth Science Keywords Version 8.0
EARTH SCIENCE | BIOSPHERE | AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS | BENTHIC HABITAT EARTH SCIENCE | BIOSPHERE | AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS | MARINE HABITAT EARTH SCIENCE | BIOSPHERE | AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS | REEF HABITAT

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Associated resources

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