IMAS Metadata Catalogue
BATHYMETRY/SEAFLOOR TOPOGRAPHY
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This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub scoping study - "National Areas of Interest for Seabed Mapping, Characterisation and Biodiversity Assessment". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata. -------------------- Seabed and marine biodiversity data are time-consuming and costly to collect, so it is imperative that acquisition is focused on areas that align with end user priorities. The value that different stakeholders place on seabed and biodiversity data can be difficult to determine. Therefore, a shared process for identifying survey priorities is required to ensure the maximum shared benefit of future survey investment across research users, funding agencies, infrastructure providers, as well as the wider marine research community. The project aimed to assist with the planning and prioritisation of marine surveys (both physical and biological) by scoping a prioritisation framework for marine surveys undertaking physical and biological seabed data collection in Australia. Focused workshops and targeted engagements with seabed mapping organisations were used to develop a standard set of metadata for agencies to define spatial Areas of Interest (AOI). The standard metadata were used in a prototype prioritisation framework that allows users to transparently and consistently rank and prioritise survey work or data delivery processes. The prioritisation is then based on rankings established by defined sets of criteria. A web-based AOI submission tool and mapping publication service was then developed for these defined areas as part of the AusSeabed Survey Coordination Tool. Adoption of this tool facilitates the development of an interim national areas of interest product to inform future survey planning. This product supports both the needs of Parks Australia's network Science Plans, and consideration of information needs for Indigenous Protected Areas within Sea Country. Outputs • National Areas of Interest polygon & interactive map [dataset] • Code for Survey Coordination Tool [Github Repo] • Final Report with Value Prioritisation Framework [written]
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Fine-scale bathymetry mapping was conducted in the Franklin and Zeehan Australian Marine Parks (AMPs) located off the west coast of Tasmania, Australia. The primary objective of this mapping exercise was to map seafloor features of the shelf areas of these AMPs for the first time and to understand the distribution of benthic habitats and key sessile invertebrate species within these areas. Characterisation of the seafloor was undertaken in two phases. The first stage used multibeam sonar to comprehensively map the study areas, extracting bathymetry and backscatter products. This was followed by extensive ground validation undertaken by a panoramic stereo drop-camera system that also recorded the presence of dominant sessile invertebrate fauna as well as benthic/demersal fish species. This record describes and provides data access to the fine-scale substratum mapping extracted from the combination of multibeam bathymetry and video ground-truthing data. Access to the (1) bathymetry survey data; and (2) annotated seafloor imagery, are provided through the 'Download and Links' section of this record.
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This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub bridging study - "Characterising values and identifying indicators and metrics of fish and benthic assemblages within the Capes region of the South-west Corner Marine Park". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata. -------------------- Inventory surveys of Australian Marine Parks (AMPs) provide a broad description of the natural assets that exist in Commonwealth waters. These data can be further explored to identify biological indicators and metrics to cost-effectively monitor the AMPs and inform the AMP Monitoring Evaluation Reporting and Improvement (MERI) system. Historical surveys conducted under the NESP Marine Biodiversity Hub inventoried natural values and ecosystem components in selected AMPs. They developed and tested standardised survey techniques to allows scientists and park managers to identify and measure the status of natural values and ecosystem components. A recent Marine Biodiversity Hub survey conducted detailed bathymetric and visual sampling of key seafloor habitat and fish assemblages in the Capes region of South-west Corner Marine Park (Western Australia). This project analysed the Capes survey data to characterise and predict the broader distribution of natural values and ecosystem features, and to identify relevant indicators of fish and benthic assemblages for Park management. The results are presented alongside summaries of existing knowledge on natural, socio-economic, and cultural values, as well as human pressures. Recommendations include establishing national and international monitoring benchmarks and incorporating survey guidance from Traditional Owners. Outputs • Habitat annotations for AUV & drop camera imagery [dataset] • Geomorphic features map using existing fine-scale bathymetry of the Capes' National Park and Special Protection zones [dataset] • Habitat map using existing fine-scale bathymetry coverage (validated by drop camera surveys) [dataset] • Annotations of fish and shark size, abundance and diversity from stereo-BRUV deployments [dataset] • Science communication article for the Australian Marine Parks Science Atlas [written] • South-west Corner Marine Park survey report [written]
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Data represents marine bathymetry for Tasmanian coastal waters from the LWM (Low water mark) to 40 metres in depth or 1.5 kms from shore (whichever boundary is first identified).
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These data describe quantitative exposure indices generated using cartographic fetch methods on a 0.01 degree grid across temperate Australia (South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania). Two indices are reported: openness and bathymetry-altered fetch. Openness is a measure of the distance of a site to the nearest coastline in all directions and describes potential exposure to locally generated seas and undefined swell. Bathymetry-altered fetch attempts to account for the attenuation of wave energy as waves move into shallow waters and encounter friction with the seafloor.
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Parks Australia - Our Marine Parks Grants Round 2 Project: Nearshore marine habitat mapping of the Norfolk Marine Park (Grant Activity ID: 4-FIZ391E) The Norfolk Marine Park is the is the eastern-most Park in the Temperate East Network of Australian Marine Parks, located between the NSW coast and Norfolk Island. The Park encompasses 188,444 km² of ocean and ranges in depth from 0 m at the Norfolk Island high tide mark to more than 5,00 m off the edge of the Norfolk Ridge. The Park includes two key ecological features – the Norfolk Ridge, and the Tasman Front and associated eddy field – both of which are valued for their high productivity, aggregations of marine life, biodiversity, and endemism. Norfolk Marine Park supports a range of species, including those listed as threatened under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act (1999), and contains Biologically Important Areas for breeding, foraging, and migration of seabirds, marine turtles, and humpback whales. The objective of this project was to create the first marine habitat map for the nearshore shallow water surrounding Norfolk, Nepean, and Phillip Islands. This was conducted in collaboration with Norfolk residents to provide local knowledge input and to ground-truth the remotely-sensed habitat mapping. This high-level habitat map will be used for planning purposes, development applications, and EPBC Act referrals within the nearshore waters of the Norfolk Marine Park, where no specific zoning for recreational and commercial activities currently exists. The map provides a basis for any ongoing citizen-science-driven marine habitat impact and condition assessments, ecosystem monitoring, and to provide the Norfolk Island residents with ownership of any future zoning planning. The map can be further refined as more detailed information becomes available from subject matter experts in the future.