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This dataset contains polygon extents of all known bathymetry surveys and bathymetry compilations in Australia's marine jurisdiction, including the Australian Antarctic Territory. Each polygon includes metadata identifying attributes, contact details, information on the public availability of data, and (in the case of published data) gridded resolution. The following data sources have been used as inputs: • AusSeabed 'Bathymetry Acquisitions Coverage (Dynamic)' (https://dx.doi.org/10.26186/148613) • AusSeabed 'Bathymetry Compilations Coverage (Dynamic)' (https://dx.doi.org/10.26186/148614) • computed footprints (suffixed by _L0_Coverage) of bathymetry data published through AusSeabed Warehouse Geoserver (https://warehouse.ausseabed.gov.au/geoserver) • computed footprints (suffixed by _BBOX) of bathymetry data published through CSIRO Geoserver (https://www.cmar.csiro.au/geoserver) • manually computed footprints of bathymetry data published through other online repositories: WA Bathymetry Portal (https://dot-wa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d58dd77d85654783b5fc8c775953c69b), the Australian Ocean Data Network (https://portal.aodn.org.au) and the NSW SEED Portal (https://www.seed.nsw.gov.au) This dataset was generated to enable reporting for Seamap Australia's 'State of Knowledge' functionality (https://seamapaustralia.org/map/), as existing coverage information does not contain metadata on gridding resolution. The dataset is live and will be continually updated as new surveys are conducted and new coverage information becomes available. Gridding resolution will be appended to existing survey extents when historical surveys are published. This dataset is updated regularly (date of last update: 18/09/2024) and will be maintained in perpetuity until such time that the information required for Seamap Australia's 'State of Knowledge' functionality is delivered through an alternative mechanism. Note that a degree of spatial simplification has been conducted to reduce filesize and polygon complexity. All efforts have been made to maintain true survey extent (area-preserving simplification has been used), but polygons may not be representative of the true survey extents, particularly in the case of reported extents from unpublished surveys which cannot be verified.
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This dataset provides geomorphic features of the Australian Marine Parks (2022). The data was generated by Seamap Australia as part of an Our Marine Parks (Parks Australia) project with funding from the Australian Government to improve knowledge relating to classification of the Australian Marine Parks real estate. Bathymetry data was collated from existing AusSeabed data holdings and compiled into multi-resolution bathymetry mosaics for each Park (see https://metadata.imas.utas.edu.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/fb451be4-9de1-4bc2-8fd6-0f285f90916f). All publicly available bathymetry data as at 30th June 2022 was included. Macquarie Island was updated on 25/08/2023 to reflect the new AMP boundaries. The Whitebox tools package in R was used to calculate geomorphometry using the geomorphron function. Processing for each Park was addressed manually, with search distances and slope thresholds adjusted between Parks depending on quality and resolution of bathymetry data, and characteristics of the seafloor. Geomorphons were classified into geomorphic features using the Dove et al (2020) Seabed Morphology Features Glossary. These geomorphic units provide a consistent way to classify the seabed and may be used in combination with visual validation methods to develop benthic habitat maps. Data is supplied as a Web Map Service of geomorphic features overlaid on hillshade for the mapped regions. Data is available for download as a zipped package of geotiffs with accompanying hillshade. ESRI .lyr file and QGIS .sld files are supplied for display in desktop GIS. All Parks with 25% or more bathymetry coverage were included in processing. The table below indicates the Parks included in this data package, and the percent coverage of geomorphic data for each, based on the bathymetry coverage available at the time of processing. Note that the current coverage of bathymetry may be greater than that expressed below and contained within this data package, for areas in which more recent surveys have been published. PARK % COVERAGE Abrolhos 36% Apollo 52% Beagle 35% Boags 31% Bremer 70% Carnarvon Canyon 72% Central Eastern* 47% (41%) Christmas Island* 31% (28%) Cod Grounds 97% Coral Sea* 100% (30%) East Gippsland 96% Eastern Recherche 29% Flinders 30% Franklin 51% Freycinet 40% Gascoyne 53% Geographe 25% Gifford 100% Great Australian Bight 36% Heard & McDonald Islands*† 100% (0%) Hunter 90% Huon 94% Jervis 99% Macquarie Island 40% Mermaid Reef 72% Murray 47% Nelson 58% Ningaloo 54% Norfolk 38% Perth Canyon 98% Solitary Islands 34% South Tasman Rise 59% South-west Corner 46% Tasman Fracture 99% Two Rocks 27% Western Eyre 25% Zeehan 74% * indicates Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data was included in analysis. Coverage of surveyed (non-modelled) bathymetry is shown in parentheses () † has been included in analysis but is not an Australian Marine Park For glossary of features, see: Dove et al. (2020) A two-part seabed geomorphology classification scheme (v.2); Part 1: morphology features glossary. http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.4075248
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There is an ongoing need for a national index of bathymetry survey coverage in Australian waters. The Marine National Facility (MNF) is Australia's dedicated blue-water research facility, and collects the largest body of publicly-accessible multibeam bathymetry (MBES) data in Australian waters. MNF survey data is routinely published in a raw (unprocessed) form shortly following MNF survey completion by CSIRO's Geophysical Survey and Mapping (GSM) group (https://www.cmar.csiro.au/data/gsm/). Geoscience Australia's AusSeabed initiative (https://ausseabed.gov.au/) works with CSIRO to make MNF MBES data available as maps and for download in gridded format at resolutions specified by the Australian Multibeam Guidelines (https://www.ausseabed.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/95887/Multibeam-Guidelines_v2.pdf). Once gridded MBES data is published, its survey coverage (spatial footprint) is collated into nationally aggregated bathymetry acquisitions maps (e.g. see https://metadata.imas.utas.edu.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/bfaac2bc-0c11-4991-b0fa-2a1dc7fd6e61). This spatial resource is important for research, marine managers, industry, and environmental impact assessment sectors as it provides an overview of the state of research knowledge of the physical seafloor environment in key areas of interest within Australia's vast marine estate. There is a considerable lag between MBES data being made available in L2 specialist format (typically ASCII XYZ), and being processed into a gridded format (e.g. GeoTIFF) following the Australian Multibeam Guidelines resolution specifications. This leaves some uncertainty about the location and coverage of more recently collected MBES data that has yet to be processed and publicly released in a gridded format. This dataset is a compilation of MNF voyage tracks (available through the CSIRO data trawler: https://www.cmar.csiro.au/data/trawler/) from the last 5 calendar years. The dataset will be periodically updated to reflect new voyage tracks; and to remove voyage tracks >5 years old. See 'Last Update' timestamp for an indication of currency. This record will be unpublished at such time that an automated process is developed to update national bathymetry survey coverage databases.
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This dataset is a compilation product of all publicly available surveyed bathymetry within the Australian Marine Parks (AMPs, 2023 boundaries), merged into a single multi-resolution composite per AMP. The data was compiled by Seamap Australia as part of an Our Marine Parks (Parks Australia) project with funding from the Australian Government to improve knowledge relating to classification of the Australian Marine Parks real estate. This compilation of bathymetry data was the first step in generating geomorphometry classifications (see https://metadata.imas.utas.edu.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/40e9283b-d4ed-4176-8fe6-112b8697003f for derived geomorphometry maps). Bathymetry data was collated from AusSeabed data holdings (https://portal.ga.gov.au/persona/marine), the WA Bathymetry Portal (https://dot-wa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d58dd77d85654783b5fc8c775953c69b), the Australian Ocean Data Network (https://portal.aodn.org.au/) and other existing public data repositories. A single multi-resolution bathymetry mosaic, and associated multi-resolution hillshade mosaic, was generated for each AMP. Data is supplied as a single Web Map Service of bathymetry on hillshade for the mapped regions. Data is available for download as (1) bathymetry, and (2) hillshade, Geotiff files for each AMP. The table below indicates the Parks included in this data package, and the percent coverage of bathymetric data for each. Parks not expressly listed below had no publicly accessible bathymetry data available from the sources listed in the 'lineage' section below. This dataset was last updated on 14/10/2024 and represents all public bathymetry data intersecting AMPs that could be located as of that date. PARK % COVERAGE Abrolhos 56% Apollo 62% Arafura 11% Argo-Rowley Terrace 34% Ashmore Reef 68% Beagle 56% Boags 31% Bremer 71% Carnarvon Canyon 82% Cartier Island 9% Central Eastern* 48% (42%) Christmas Island* 43% (41%) Cocos (Keeling) Islands* 25% (19%) Cod Grounds 97% Coral Sea* 100% (30%) Dampier 60% East Gippsland 100% Eastern Recherche 35% Eighty Mile Beach 69% Flinders 32% Franklin 51% Freycinet 59% Gascoyne 67% Geographe 25% Gifford* 100% (70%) Great Australian Bight 40% Gulf of Carpentaria 6% Heard & McDonald Islands*† 100% (0%) Hunter 90% Huon 95% Jervis 100% Jurien 18% Kimberley 14% Lord Howe* 16% (14%) Macquarie Island 48% Mermaid Reef 83% Montebello 89% Murray 47% Nelson 58% Ningaloo 55% Norfolk 42% Oceanic Shoals 23% Perth Canyon 100% Roebuck 100% Shark Bay 16% Solitary Islands 100% South Tasman Rise 82% South-west Corner 52% Tasman Fracture 99% Twilight 1% Two Rocks 32% Wessel 1% West Cape York 11% Western Eyre 25% Western Kangaroo Island 10% Zeehan 73% * indicates Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data was included in compilation. Coverage of surveyed (non-modelled) bathymetry is shown in parentheses () † has been included in analysis but is not an Australian Marine Park
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Seamounts, elevated seabed features, and bathymetric highs constitute ecologically significant habitats for various marine species, often associated with unique ecosystems and heightened biodiversity. In Australia, the absence of a comprehensive and spatially accurate inventory of these underwater structures has been a notable gap. Existing broad-scale modelling efforts, including the Parks Australia Natural Values Ecosystems (NVE) map (https://seamapaustralia.org/map/#af207808-481a-4648-93d3-4011f2689461), have predominantly relied on coarse, global datasets. These datasets, characterized by low resolution, often fail to incorporate recent bathymetric data, leading to the omission or incorrect identification of features. This work aimed to address these limitations by developing an improved dataset of raised seabed features, specifically designed to enhance broad-scale modelling efforts like those used in the NVE mapping, and in support of the objectives of NESP Marine and Coastal Hub Project 2.3 (https://www.nespmarinecoastal.edu.au/project/2-3/). Seamount features were extracted from a range of data sources (see 'lineage' section of this record) for the area surrounding the Australian continental margin. These were cross-referenced with GEBCO's 2023 global terrain model (15 arc-second interval grid) and any obviously erroneous features removed. This dataset includes all features located inside the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Rather than cropping exclusively to this boundary, those features falling outside the Aus EEZ but in the approximate vicinity were also retained for context Existing feature boundaries were redigitised for areas in which more recent high-resolution bathymetry was available, utilising the 'Bathymetry of Australian Marine Parks (2024)' compilation dataset and individual survey datasets available through the AusSeabed data portal (https://portal.ga.gov.au/persona/marine). Where available, fine-scale geomorphic mapping in which seamounts and pinnacles had been classified were extracted and merged with the larger-scale features. If fine-scale mapping disagreed with features classified in the broader-scale datasets, the finer-scale data was prioritised. Where multiple features occurred immediately adjacent to each other, the digitised area represents the "footprint" of the features and as such, a single polygon may encompass multiple peaks. Where features could be uniquely identified (eg by a formal name/title), this attribute is included in the dataset. This dataset will continue to be updated as more bathymetry data is collected, or until such time that a new authoritative seamounts dataset is released for the Australian margin.
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This data contains information about the distribution of seagrass around the Australian coastline. It was prepared by Dr. Hugh Kirkman (CSIRO Division of Fisheries) from a review of published and unpublished sources, and updated by Dr. Ian Hahmdorf, (Bureau of Rural Sciences). General info: CAMRIS, standing for the Coastal and Marine Resources Information System, is a small-scale spatial analysis system developed in collaboration by several divisions of Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), as part of the CSIRO Coastal Zone Program. CSIRO Division of Wildlife and Ecology was the custodian of the 'coastal' subset of the Australian Resources Information System (ARIS). Coastal ARIS became the core dataset of the CAMRIS project. The Coastal ARIS database was developed from a coastal inventory developed by Galloway et al. This inventory contained relatively large scale data including landform, geology, vegetation, soil, land use, climate and population information for each of 3027 3x10km sections around the coastline of mainland Australia and Tasmania, but excluding offshore islands.
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This database contains information about the distribution of 10 different types of sea floor sediment in the Australian region. It was derived from data collected and mapped by the Ocean Sciences Institute, University of Sydney.
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This dataset is a mosaicked product of all publicly available bathymetry data within the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The data package consists of 8x bathymetry mosaics (and associated bathymetry derivatives: hillshade, slope, aspect) for each of the 8x Parks Australia Management Effectiveness (ME) Depth Zones. The grid resolution of the mosaics has been guided by the depth gridding recommendations of the AusSeabed Australian Multibeam Guidelines (2020) to produce the following mosaics: • shallow zone (0-30m): 10m resolution • mesophotic zone (30-70m): 10m resolution • rariphotic zone (70-200m): 10m resolution • upper-slope zone (200-700m): 32m resolution • mid-slope zone (700-2,000m): 64m resolution • lower-slope zone (2,000-4,000m): 128m resolution • abyss zone (4,000-6,000m): 210m resolution • hadal zone (>6,000m): 210m resolution A systematic prioritisation approach was used to preferentially use newer, high-resolution, and cleaner bathymetry inputs from remote sensing (multibeam, singlebeam, satellite, seismic etc), with Digital Elevation Models (DEM) used as foundational data in regions where survey data was not available. This approach optimised spatial resolution by preserving higher resolutions in shallower waters as supported by the data, while also ensuring the output datasets remain manageable for downstream applications. The result is suite of depth-stratified bathymetry mosaics and associated derivatives that provide full coverage of Australia's marine estate (clipped to the boundaries of the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)). All publicly available bathymetry data as at July 2024 for was included. Data can be visualised and used in GIS packages as maps of hillshaded bathymetry and hillshaded slope at the following WMS endpoints: • bathymetry: https://geoserver.imas.utas.edu.au/geoserver/bathy_composites/AusEEZ_bathy_composite_multires/wms?request=GetCapabilities&service=WMS • hillshade: https://geoserver.imas.utas.edu.au/geoserver/bathy_composites/AusEEZ_bathy_hillshade_composite_multires/wms?request=GetCapabilities&service=WMS • slope: https://geoserver.imas.utas.edu.au/geoserver/bathy_composites/AusEEZ_bathy_slope_composite_multires/wms?request=GetCapabilities&service=WMS • aspect: https://geoserver.imas.utas.edu.au/geoserver/bathy_composites/AusEEZ_bathy_aspect_composite_multires/wms?request=GetCapabilities&service=WMS • aspect-slope (for mapping applications only): https://geoserver.imas.utas.edu.au/geoserver/bathy_composites/AusEEZ_bathy_aspectSlope_composite_multires/wms?request=GetCapabilities&service=WMS Data is available for download in the following packages (each structured as 8x mosaics for each ME Depth Zone at the gridding resolution specified above): (1) bathymetry composites; (2) hillshade composites; (3) slope composites; (4) aspect composites. An ancillary Shapefile footprint index file is also available showing the source data used in generating each region of the mosaics. Note that minimal cleaning of input data was conducted, and no attempt was made to smooth or blend the transitions between swath edges, or between swaths and the underlying DEMs. Consequently, noise and edge effects between adjacent input data may be visible. This should be considered when interpreting the data, and the data should not be used for navigational purposes. See the Lineage section of this record for full methodology.