An indicative map of the various benthic (sea floor) habitats that occur in the Great Sandy Marine Park (GSMP) was developed in 2019 to support a comprehensive review of the GSMP zoning plan and day to day management of the marine park. GSMP is a Queensland state marine park that extends from Baffle Creek in the north to Double Island Point in the south and includes the tidal waters of Hervey Bay, the Great Sandy Strait and Tin Can Bay and waters seaward to three nautical miles. The habitat map was the outcome of a benthic habitat mapping project in the initial stages of the zoning plan review, that applied the Queensland intertidal and subtidal ecosystem classification scheme to identify and map the marine park’s habitat types. The marine park’s habitat types were derived from “The intertidal and subtidal habitat mapping for Central Queensland” dataset which provides seascape scale ecosystem mapping for Central Queensland state waters extending from the mouth of the Fitzroy River down to Double Island Point. Each ecosystem type is based on information about eight biophysical attributes that drive ecosystem type: benthic depth, inundation, energy magnitude, consolidation, substrate composition, sediment texture, terrain morphology and structural macrobiota. For further information about this dataset see the Wetlandinfo website https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/ An expert panel was convened to assist GSMP project staff in identifying a broad list of ecological attributes or characteristics and the different combinations of these, that would most likely determine the types of benthic habitats likely to occur in GSMP. These were further refined to identify marine park habitat types specifically for marine park management. The final marine park typology and map of 23 habitat types, was refined throughout the zoning plan review process due to newly available data, expert input and local knowledge. View the original metadata record at https://qldspatial.information.qld.gov.au/catalogue/custom/viewMetadataDetails.page?uuid=%7BCA73B01A-1391-4701-98CB-B72E5FB54845%7D

This seagrass habitat map was produced by the ACEAS Seagrass working group as part of the seagrass habitat risk modelling effort. The map identified seagrass presence based on 1) on the NISB (National Intertidal-Subtidal Benthic) Habitat Map created by the University of Tasmania for a partnership between the Department of Climate Change and the National Land and Water Resources Audit, 2) UNEP WCMC Seagrass map 2005, 3) publications/reports.

This seagrass habitat map was produced by the ACEAS Seagrass working group as part of the seagrass habitat risk modelling effort. The map identified seagrass presence based on 1) on the NISB (National Intertidal-Subtidal Benthic) Habitat Map created by the University of Tasmania for a partnership between the Department of Climate Change and the National Land and Water Resources Audit, 2) UNEP WCMC Seagrass map 2005.

This seagrass habitat map was produced by the ACEAS Seagrass working group as part of the seagrass habitat risk modelling effort. The map identified seagrass presence based on 1) on the NISB (National Intertidal-Subtidal Benthic) Habitat Map created by the University of Tasmania for a partnership between the Department of Climate Change and the National Land and Water Resources Audit, 2) UNEP WCMC Seagrass map 2005.

This seagrass habitat map was produced by the ACEAS Seagrass working group as part of the seagrass habitat risk modelling effort. The map identified seagrass presence based on 1) on the NISB (National Intertidal-Subtidal Benthic) Habitat Map created by the University of Tasmania for a partnership between the Department of Climate Change and the National Land and Water Resources Audit, 2) UNEP WCMC Seagrass map 2005.

This seagrass habitat map was produced by the ACEAS Seagrass working group as part of the seagrass habitat risk modelling effort. The map identified seagrass presence based on 1) on the NISB (National Intertidal-Subtidal Benthic) Habitat Map created by the University of Tasmania for a partnership between the Department of Climate Change and the National Land and Water Resources Audit, 2) UNEP WCMC Seagrass map 2005, 3) publications/reports and 4) expert knowledge/personal observation.

This metadata record provides a brief overview of the National Environmental Science Program (NESP) Marine Biodiversity (MB) Hub. The record acts as an aggregation point for all NESP Marine Biodiversity Hub data collections and projects developed as part of this research program. The National Environmental Science Program (NESP) is a $142.5 million initiative of the federal government providing a long-term commitment to environment and climate research. The programme builds on its predecessors – the National Environmental Research Program (NERP) and the Australian Climate Change Science Programme (ACCSP) – to support decision-makers to understand, manage and conserve Australia’s environment by funding world-class biodiversity and climate science. The NESP funding program runs from July 2015 to June 2021 and provides funding for six research hubs. The Marine Biodiversity Hub is a collaborative partnership supported by funding from the Australian Government administered by the Department of the Environment's National Environmental Research Programme. The Marine Biodiversity Hub is comprised of scientists from 10 major research institutions undertaking research of Australian oceans and marine environments, including temperate coastal water quality and marine species. The Marine Biodiversity Hub is administered by the University of Tasmania, and led by Professor Nic Bax. The 4 themes of the Marine Biodiversity Hub under the NESP program include: A. Improving the management of threatened and migratory species B. Supporting management decision making C. Understanding pressures on the marine environment D. Understanding biophysical, economic and social aspects of the marine environment Research products from the NESP Marine Biodiversity Hub are available from http://nespmarine.edu.au and the Australian Ocean Data Network catalogue (http://catalogue.aodn.org.au)

Bathymetry and Side Scan Sonar transects taken in various project locations within South Australian state waters. For analysis of seabed topography and interpretation of benthic substrate and flora.

This seagrass habitat map was produced by the ACEAS Seagrass working group as part of the seagrass habitat risk modelling effort. The map identified seagrass presence based on 1) on the NISB (National Intertidal-Subtidal Benthic) Habitat Map created by the University of Tasmania for a partnership between the Department of Climate Change and the National Land and Water Resources Audit, 2) UNEP WCMC Seagrass map 2005, 3) publications/reports and 4) expert knowledge/personal observation.