This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub small-scale study - "Towards a consolidated and open-science framework for restoration monitoring". No data outputs are planned for this project. -------------------- Coastal habitat restoration is scaling up rapidly in Australia and covers a range of habitats including oyster reefs, seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, kelp forests, and saltmarshes. Every restoration project includes some attempt at monitoring outcomes but currently these are piecemeal, uncoordinated, often poorly funded, and rarely follow Open Science protocols. Previous NESP-funded projects have improved understanding of the ecology and service provision of threatened ecosystems and established targets for repair based on reference conditions (e.g. Marine Biodiversity project B4). They have also established an extensive database of marine and coastal restoration projects (ARCN: project E5), and have supported the development of monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement systems (MERI) for various sectors or projects. By combining the knowledge of all Australian researchers undertaking monitoring of restoration projects, across multiple habitats, this project will build upon these previous projects to synthesise the approaches for monitoring of habitat restoration. It will also explore integration of new technologies, such as automation, artificial intelligence, and eDNA, within the monitoring framework to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The primary output will be a co-ordinated and open-science framework for restoration monitoring across projects, scales and habitats, that integrates clearly articulated hypotheses to determine the goals for restoration. This framework will streamline development of future restoration projects and ensure that maximum value from monitoring activities is achieved. Planned Outputs • Literature review [written] • Guidelines document (best-practice toolkit) [written] ---no data outputs are planned for this project---

This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub scoping study - "Identify knowledge gaps and solutions for extent mapping of Australian marine and coastal wetlands". No data outputs are planned for this project. -------------------- Marine and coastal wetlands provide extensive ecosystem services to Australia, and a comprehensive inventory is required for effective conservation and protection. This project will identify key knowledge and inventory gaps and determine solutions to progress a consolidated inventory within the context of a wider review of national mapping capacity for wetlands. Gaps and solutions will be identified through targeted surveys and workshops with end-users and researchers following a review of relevant data and literature. A summary of the status of mapping habitat attributes and services such as blue carbon, coastal protection and shorebird habitat will be produced. The outcome will be identified prioritisation for future investment to fill knowledge gaps. Planned Outputs • Report reviewing and synthesising knowledge gaps in inventory mapping of marine and coastal wetlands [written] • Report identifying effective solutions and guiding subsequent research projects for enhancing wetland mapping [written] ---no data outputs are planned for this project---

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. This project will use fish and seafloor imagery obtained from the recent inventory survey in the Capes region of the South-west Corner Marine Park to identify important natural values and indicators of fish and benthic assemblages relevant to park management and the AMP MERI system. Planned Outputs • Digital map layers per AMP network of: • Habitat annotations to (1) AUV and (2) drop camera imagery following nationally agreed protocols (extended CATAMI classification - the Australian morphospecies catalogue) - to be published through the Understanding Marine Imagery (UMI) IMOS sub-facility • Bathymetry from National Park and Special Protection zones - to be published on AusSeabed • Geomorphic features map for existing fine scale bathymetry coverage of the National Park and Special Protection zones - to be published on Seamap Australia • Habitat map for existing fine scale bathymetry coverage (validated from from drop camera surveys for National Park and Special Protection zones - to be published on Seamap Australia • Fish and shark annotations of stereo-BRUVs • Science communication article for the Australian Marine Parks Science Atlas [written]

An assessment was made of the state of research knowledge in the Australian Marine Parks (2022 boundaries). This quality assessment is specifically of the suitability of data streams for deriving habitat maps. Five nationally-aggregated data streams were used in the assessment: (1) Seamap Australia (seafloor habitat) (2) AusSeabed bathymetry survey extents (bathymetry mapping) (3) Squidle+ imagery deployments (habitat observations) (4) GlobalArchive video deployments (habitat observations) (5) Geoscience Australia's Marine Sediment Database (MARS) From these data streams, quality ratings (0-5) have been made for the state of research knowledge for three research disciplines: (A) bathymetry maps; (B) habitat observations; and (C) habitat maps. Data quality assessments are reported for each AMP Network and Park. Assessments can be accessed in context at https://seamapaustralia.org/region-reports, via the State-of-Knowledge functionality in the Seamap Australia mapping portal: https://seamapaustralia.org/map, or as a stand-alone file in the 'Downloads' section of this record. This data is live and is refreshed weekly.

This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub bridging study - "Support for Parks Australia’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement System for Australian Marine Parks". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata. -------------------- This project aims to continue scientific support for developing the Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement (MERI) system for Australian Marine Parks (AMPs). Specifically, it will provide a major input to the development of Science Plans for the AMP networks and Coral Sea Marine Park (CSMP). This project builds on the achievements of pilot research conducted through the SS2 and D7 projects as part of NESP1, which designed and implemented a fit-for-purpose approach to identify monitoring priorities for natural values and pressures for the South-east Marine Parks Network. The project provides the scientific and technical information, and advice, to apply the tools and approaches from SS2 and D7 to the remaining AMP Networks and the CSMP to support development of the remaining Science Plans. The project collates and analyses environmental and human use-data, and produces reports and data and mapping products, for each of the four remaining networks and the CSMP. The key outputs and reports identify the monitoring priorities in each Network and the CSMP and help to identify key knowledge gaps to help inform research priorities. Planned Outputs • Digital map layers per AMP network of: (1) Ecosystems (2) Key natural values (3) Activities (4) Cumulative impacts (5) Monitoring priorities" • final technical report with analysed data, including a short summary of recommendations for policy makers of key findings (written report)

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. -------------------- The project aims to assist the planning and prioritisation of marine surveys (both physical and biological) by scoping a prioritisation framework and web tool. Focused workshops and targeted engagements with seabed mapping organisations will ensure the framework meets the needs of the Marine and Coastal Hub, key end users such as Parks Australia, and the wider seabed mapping and biodiversity management community. Adoption and adaption of the AusSeabed Survey Coordination Tool will facilitate the development of an interim national areas of interest product to inform future survey planning. This product will support the needs of Parks Australia network Science Plans and consideration of information needs for Indigenous Protected Areas within Sea Country. Planned Outputs • National Areas of Interest map • Code for Survey Coordination Tool • Value Prioritisation Framework [written report]