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Key Ecological Features of the North-west Marine Region.
No full textMaintenance and Update Frequency: notPlannedStatement: The Key Ecological Features layer in this dataset represent the features identified in the North-west Bioregional Profile.
The Key Ecological Features (KEFs) polygon layer was created from information provided to DoE at scientific based workshops, discussions held with relevant scientific experts as part of the development of the North-west Bioregional Profile, and information contained published reports.
In order to create a spatial representation of KEFs for the North-west Marine Region, some interpretation of the information was required. DoE has made every effort to use the best available spatial information, and best judgement on how to spatially represent the features based on the scientific advice provided. This does not preclude others from making their own interpretation of the available information.
Following is more detailed information on the source of the spatial representation for individual KEFs for the North-west Marine Region:
Ancient coastline at 125 m depth contour,
Defined by depth range 115-135 metres in the Northwest Shelf Province and Northwest Shelf Transition provincial bioregions as defined in IMCRA 4.0.
Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island and surrounding Commonwealth waters,
Includes the existing Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve and Cartier Island Marine Reserve and waters between them plus the surrounding areas of reef, apron/fan and canyon as defined in the Geoscience Australia geomorphic features dataset
Canyons linking the Argo Abyssal Plain and Scott Plateau,
Includes the three canyons, as defined in the Geoscience Australia geomorphic feature dataset, adjacent to the south-west corner of Scott Plateau.
Canyons linking the Cuvier Abyssal Plain and the Cape Range Peninsula,
As defined in the Geoscience Australia geomorphic features dataset.
Carbonate bank and terrace system of the Sahul Shelf,
Includes the banks/shoals and terraces as defined in the Geoscience Australia geomorphic features dataset which fall between 125 degrees East and the Northwest Marine Region Boundary around 129 degrees East. The banks/shoals to the south of 13 degrees South and west of 127 East have been excluded.
Commonwealth waters surrounding Ningaloo Reef,
Defined as the waters contained in the existing Ningaloo Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters).
Continental Slope Demersal Fish Communities.
Defined as the area of slope, as defined in the Geoscience Australia geomorphic features dataset, found in the Northwest Province and Timor Province provincial bioregions as defined in IMCRA 4.0, at the depth ranges of 220-500 metres and 750-1000 metres.
Exmouth Plateau.
As defined in the Geoscience Australia geomorphic features dataset.
Glomar Shoals.
Defined by the area of terrace as defined in the Geoscience Australia geomorphic features dataset.
Mermaid Reed and Commonwealth waters surrounding the Rowley Shoals,
Includes all existing State and Commonwealth marine reserves plus adjacent apron/fan features, as defined in the Geoscience Australia geomorphic features dataset, within a 6 nautical mile buffer of the reef features, as defined in the Geoscience Australia geomorphic features dataset.
Pinnacles of the Bonaparte Basin.
Includes all pinnacles that are located within the basin feature of the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, as defined in the Geoscience Australia geomorphic features dataset, clipped to the North-west Marine Region boundary.
Seringapatam Reef and Commonwealth waters in the Scott Reef Complex,
Includes both reefs plus the adjacent apron/fan features, and the canyon approximately 10km to the west of Scott Reef (based on the Geoscience Australia geomorphic features dataset). The southern edge of the KEF is defined by the state water boundary around Scott Reef.
Wallaby Saddle,
As defined in the Geoscience Australia geomorphic features dataset.
The polygons are indicative of the area of each Key Ecological Feature.The North-west Bioregional Profile identifies a number of ecological features that are of conservation value because of the role they play in the environment of the North-west Marine Region. Key ecological features (KEFs) meet one or more of the following criteria:<br/><br/>1. a species, group of species, or a community with a regionally important ecological role (e.g. a predator, prey that affects a large biomass or number of other marine species);<br/><br/>2. a species, group of species, or a community that is nationally or regionally important for biodiversity;<br/><br/>3. an area or habitat that is nationally or regionally important for: <br/>a) enhanced or high productivity (such as predictable upwellings - an upwelling occurs when cold nutrient-rich waters from the bottom of the ocean rise to the surface);<br/>b) aggregations of marine life (such as feeding, resting, breeding or nursery areas);<br/>c) biodiversity and endemism (species which only occur in a specific area); or<br/><br/>4. a unique seafloor feature, with known or presumed ecological properties of regional significance.<br/><br/><br/>KEFs have been identified by the Australian Government on the basis of advice from scientists about the ecological processes and characteristics of the area. A workshop held in Perth in September 2007 also contributed to this scientific advice and helped to underpin the identification of key ecological features. <br/><br/>Thirteen KEFs have been identified in the North-west Marine Region:<br/><br/>Ancient coastline at 125 m depth contour<br/>Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island and surrounding Commonwealth waters<br/>Canyons linking the Argo Abyssal Plain and Scott Plateau<br/>Canyons linking the Cuvier Abyssal Plain and the Cape Range Peninsula<br/>Carbonate bank and terrace system of the Sahul Shelf<br/>Commonwealth waters adjacent to Ningaloo Reef<br/>Continental Slope Demersal Fish Communities<br/>Exmouth Plateau<br/>Glomar Shoals<br/>Mermaid Reed and Commonwealth waters surrounding the Rowley Shoals<br/>Pinnacles of the Bonaparte Basin<br/>Seringapatam Reef and Commonwealth waters in the Scott Reef Complex<br/>Wallaby Saddle<br/><br/>In order to create a spatial representation of KEFs for the North-west Marine Region, some interpretation of the information was required. DoE has made every effort to use the best available spatial information, and best judgement on how to spatially represent the features based on the scientific advice provided. This does not preclude others from making their own interpretation of available information
Derwent Estuary Ambient Water Quality monitoring program - Site B5
No full textMaintenance and Update Frequency: asNeededStatement: The DEP monitoring program achieves Quality Assurance (field sampling and laboratory activities are carried out in a way that ensures the generation of accurate and reliable results) through the use of standard operating procedures that are used by the three different sampling operators. The majority of collected water samples are analysed by Analytical Services Tasmania (AST), a NATA-accredited laboratory, to ensure that consistent analytical methods are used. For those parameters measured using field-based equipment(salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and chlorophyll-a), regular inter-calibration exercises have been carried out between operators.
Quality Control (activities or techniques to ensure that all quality requirements are being met) is achieved by the use of specific control samples, including the use of an artificial seawater standard for use of 'nutrient field blanks'(treated like a collected sample and filtered in the field) and 'nutrient trip blanks' (sample bottles that are not opened, but are handled and stored in the same manner as other samples). 'Metal field blanks' and 'metal trip blanks' are also used, consisting of deionised water.<b>Credit</b><br/>Norske Skog<b>Credit</b><br/>NyrstarSite B5 is sampled monthly by the Derwent Estuary Program as part of the Derwent Ambient Water Quality monitoring program.<br/>Since 2003, ambient water quality monitoring has been carried out on a monthly basis at up to 28 sites throughout the Derwent estuary by Norske Skog Boyer, Nyrstar Hobart and the State Government. Monitoring is carried out by three different boat-based sampling parties, but is co-ordinated to occur on the same day each month. <br/>At each site, in-situ field measurements are taken using calibrated sensors for temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. Water clarity is also measured using a secchi disk. Surface and bottom water samples are collected for analysis of true color, total suspended solids(TSS), total and dissolved nutrients, organic carbon and zinc. at most sites, depth integrated samples are also collected for chlorophyll a using a plastic tube. Bottom samples in the Middle and Outer estuary are collected using a niskin bottle. Pumps are used in the upper estuary site to fill up the bottles. All water samples are analysed at Analytical Service Tasmania, a National Association of Testing Authorities-accredited laboratory. Monitoring site depth is 2 meter
Key Ecological Features within the Coral Sea
No full textMaintenance and Update Frequency: asNeededStatement: The Key Ecological Features layer in this dataset represent a modified set of features to those identified in the East Bioregional Profile.
The Key Ecological Features (KEFs) polygon layer was created from information provided to DoE in science based workshops, discussions held with relevant scientific experts as part of the development of the East Bioregional Profile, and information contained in published research reports.
In order to create a spatial representation of KEFs for the Coral Sea, some interpretation of the information was required. DoE has made every effort to use the best available spatial information and best judgement on how to spatially represent the features based on the scientific advice provided. This does not preclude others from making their own interpretation of available information.
Following is more detailed information on the source of the spatial representation for individual KEFs for the Coral Sea:
1.Tasmantid seamount chain is a prominent chain of submarine volcanoes extending into the Tasman Basin. This dataset represents areas identified in the Geoscience Australia geomorphic features data set as pinnacles, seamounts and guyots.
2.Reefs, cays and hebivorous fish of the Queensland Plateau dataset represents areas identified in the Geoscience Australia geomorphic features data set as reefs, or cays.
3.Reefs, cays and hebivorous fish of the Marion Plateau dataset represents areas identified in the Geoscience Australia geomorphic features data set as reefs, or cays.
The polygons are indicative of the area of each Key Ecological Feature.A number of ecological features that are of conservation value because of the role they play in the environment of the Coral Sea have been identified and mapped. Key ecological features (KEFs) meet one or more of the following criteria:<br/>1. a species, group of species or a community with a regionally important ecological role (e.g. a predator, prey that affects a large biomass or a number of marine species);<br/>2. a species, group of species or a community that is nationally or regionally important for biodiversity;<br/>3. an area or habitat that is nationally or regionally important for:<br/>a) enhanced or high productivity (such as predictable upwellings - an upwelling occurs when cold nutrient rich waters from the bottom of the ocean rise to the surface);<br/>b) aggregations of marine life (such as feeding, resting, breeding or nursery areas);<br/>c) biodiversity and endemism (species which only occur in a specific area); or<br/>4. a unique seafloor feature, with known or presumed ecological properties of regional significance.<br/><br/><br/>KEFs have been identified by the Australian Government on the basis of advice from scientists about the ecological processes and characteristics of the area. A workshop held in Perth in September 2006 also contributed to this scientific advice and helped to underpin the identification of key ecological features. Three KEFs have been identified in the Coral Sea:<br/><br/>1. Tasmantid seamount chain<br/>2. Reefs, cays and hebivorous fish of the Queensland Plateau<br/>3. Reefs, cays and hebivorous fish of the Marion Plateau<br/><br/>In order to create a spatial representation of KEFs for the Coral Sea, some interpretation of the information was required. DoEhas made every effort to use the best available spatial information and best judgement on how to spatially represent the features based on the scientific advice provided. This does not preclude others from making their own interpretation of available information
Derwent Estuary Ambient Water Quality monitoring program - Site NTB-13
No full textMaintenance and Update Frequency: asNeededStatement: The DEP monitoring program achieves Quality Assurance (field sampling and laboratory activities are carried out in a way that ensures the generation of accurate and reliable results) through the use of standard operating procedures that are used by the three different sampling operators. The majority of collected water samples are analysed by Analytical Services Tasmania (AST), a NATA-accredited laboratory, to ensure that consistent analytical methods are used. For those parameters measured using field-based equipment(salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and chlorophyll-a), regular inter-calibration exercises have been carried out between operators.
Quality Control (activities or techniques to ensure that all quality requirements are being met) is achieved by the use of specific control samples, including the use of an artificial seawater standard for use of 'nutrient field blanks'(treated like a collected sample and filtered in the field) and 'nutrient trip blanks' (sample bottles that are not opened, but are handled and stored in the same manner as other samples). 'Metal field blanks' and 'metal trip blanks' are also used, consisting of deionised water.<b>Credit</b><br/>Norske Skog<b>Credit</b><br/>NyrstarSite NTB-13 is sampled monthly by the Nyrstar Hobart as part of the Derwent Ambient Water Quality monitoring program.<br/>Since 2003, ambient water quality monitoring has been carried out on a monthly basis at up to 28 sites throughout the Derwent estuary by Norske Skog Boyer, Nyrstar Hobart and the State Government. Monitoring is carried out by three different boat-based sampling parties, but is co-ordinated to occur on the same day each month. <br/>At each site, in-situ field measurements are taken using calibrated sensors for temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. Water clarity is also measured using a secchi disk. Surface and bottom water samples are collected for analysis of true color, total suspended solids(TSS), total and dissolved nutrients, organic carbon and zinc. at most sites, depth integrated samples are also collected for chlorophyll a using a plastic tube. Bottom samples in the Middle and Outer estuary are collected using a niskin bottle. Pumps are used in the upper estuary site to fill up the bottles. All water samples are analysed at Analytical Service Tasmania, a National Association of Testing Authorities-accredited laboratory. Monitoring site depth is 2 meter
Cockburn Cement - Success Bank - Seagrass and Sand Invertebrates - 1990's
No full textMaintenance and Update Frequency: asNeededStatement: Cores, steel with a serrated edge (0.25 m2 core – quadrats), were carefully lowered over the seagrass and pushed into the sediment. Epifauna associated with leaves, epiphytes and stems were collected by cutting the shoot at the base, and placed in a material in a calico bag. Infauna were collected with an airlift to which a bag of 0.5 mm mesh attached. Samples were preserved in 8% buffered formalin. Samples were passed through a graduated series of 0.5, 0.71, 1.0, 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6 and 8 mm sieves. The fauna retained on each sieve was counted. Biomass and production of crustaceans, molluscs and worms were estimated from the abundance of particular faunal groups in different sieve-sizes, using relationships developed by Edgar (1990a). Biomass of other organisms and those larger than 8 mm measured were weighed and production estimated from a generic equation for invertebrates. All equations were adjusted for water temperature at the time of sampling. Epifaunal and infauna communities were analysed separately.
Reports for Cockburn Cement detail these findings (Brearley and Wells 2000). Other reports examined the diversity of flora and fauna diversity in areas dominated by each of the three seagrass species (Lavery et. al. 2000a), calcium carbonate and nitrogen (Lavery et. al. 2000b) and trophic dynamics (Smit et al 2000). Two papers on trophic dynamics were also published (Smit et. al. 2005 and 2006). A synthesis report was also submitted (Walker et. al. 2000).<b>Credit</b><br/>Cockburn Cement Ltd<b>Credit</b><br/>The University of Western Australia (UWA)<b>Purpose</b><br/>To determine the ecological significance of seagrass and effect of dredging.Invertebrates (epifauna & infauna) from seagrass (Amphibolis griffithii, Posidonia coriacea, Heterozostera tasmanica) and adjacent sand habitats on Success Bank (5-7 m) and deep water (12 m) in Owen Anchorage and Gage Roads were collected at three locations, three time periods in 1997/1998. <br/><br/>Three replicates were made at each location, giving a total of 45 samples per sampling period (5 habitats x 3 locations x 3 replicates per location). Three major samplings (summer 1997, winter 1997 and summer 1998) were undertaken to obtain information on seasonal and annual variations.<br/><br/>An additional study incorporated samples collected from 11-17 m deep areas dredged in 1985, 1994 and 1996 that were compared to the bare sediments in natural basin habitats to the north and south of the sites on the sand bank. Density, biomass and production of invertebrates were lowest in the most recently dredged areas. There were some differences between dredging time and locations within dredging time
Tasmania - National Intertidal-Subtidal Benthic NISB Habitat Map (PLUS)
No full textMaintenance and Update Frequency: notPlannedStatement: Scope of quality information: dataset
Lineage:
The NISB Habitat Map is a composite data set of the best available habitat mapping data for Australia’s intertidal and subtidal benthos. Using ArcGIS 9.2, all the input layers were imported into geodatabases for processing. Fields were added to each layer’s attribute table, listing the data source (DSource), original file name (DOrig_File), metadata file name (DMeta_File) and ANZLIC ID number (ANZLIC_ID).
Each layer then had NISB fields added, which correspond to the four tiers in the NISB Habitat Classification Scheme (2007). NISB_Sub01 and NISB_Sub02 refer to the first two tiers of the classification, which are based on the substrate. NISB_Dom01 and NISB_Dom02 refer to the dominant land cover, as described in the third and fourth tiers. The scheme is hierarchical, so where insufficient information was available to fully classify a polygon, it was classified to the finest tier possible.
The NISB Habitat Classification Scheme includes decision rules that describe the limits of each habitat class. For example, for a polygon to be described as class 1.2.2 Structural Macrobiota Dominated, SMBs (Structural Macrobiota such as seagrass or mangrove) must cover more than 10% of the substrate. However, many of the source data sets do not include information on percent cover, and so the original classifications were accepted on face value. That is, if the data provider identified a polygon as seagrass dominated sediment, we classified it as 2.0.2.1 Seagrass Dominated, without information about how precisely the original category fit the NISB classes. Microsoft Access was used to reclassify the layers.
Where habitat types extended inland (e.g. saltmarsh or mangrove), a buffer was used to select those that are “coastal”. The coastal zone is defined here as being within 500 m of the coast or less than 10 m above sea level. A 500 m buffer was created around the coastline as defined by the Geodata Coast 100k (Geoscience Australia 2004). The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) v2 Digital Elevation Model was used to determine all areas below 10 m ASL. These two areas were merged to create the coastal zone buffer.
Once all the layers for a state had been converted to the NISB Habitat Classification scheme, they were merged into a single layer. Where layers overlapped, a decision was made as to which was considered to be more reliable. This decision was based on a combination of the metadata records and a visual inspection of the data sets. Then, the erase and merge functions were used to combine the layers.
The layers were then tested to ensure that the classifications were translated correctly from the source data and that there were no overlapping polygons. Overlaps were discovered in some of the source data for Victoria and were left as they were. The layers were not tested topologically. The maps were not independently ground-truthed.
All areas were calculated in m², using Albers equal area projection.
The contributing agencies must be acknowledged with each use of this derived data set are:
Contributors to the National Intertidal/Subtidal (NISB) Habitat Map:
Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, Northern Territory Government of Australia
Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services Environmental Protection Agency
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
National Oceans Office
Western Australia Department of Environment and Conservation
South Australian Department of Environment and Heritage
New South Wales Department of Environment and Conservation
New South Wales Department of Primary Industries: Fisheries
Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory Land Conservation Unit
Victorian Department of Primary Industries
Parks Victoria
Tasmanian Aquaculture and fisheries Institute
Source data acknowledgements:
Dr Richard Mount and Phillippa Bricher, Spatial Science Group, School of Geography, University of Tasmania
The contributing agencies must be acknowledged with each use of this derived data set are:
Contributors to the National Intertidal/Subtidal (NISB) Habitat Map:
Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts, Northern Territory Government of Australia
Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services Environmental Protection Agency
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
National Oceans Office
Western Australia Department of Environment and Conservation
South Australian Department of Environment and Heritage
New South Wales Department of Environment and Conservation
New South Wales Department of Primary Industries: Fisheries
Conservation Commission of the Northern Territory Land Conservation Unit
Victorian Department of Primary Industries
Parks Victoria
Tasmanian Aquaculture and fisheries Institute
Data quality report - Absolute external positional accuracy:
As this is a multi-scale dataset, it is impossible to give a single value for positional accuracy. Most layers in the NISB dataset were mapped at scales finer than 1:50 000, which translates to a positional accuracy of approximately ±25 m. However, some seagrass mapping for Queensland and South Australia has errors up to ±100 m. It is recommended that the user reads the metadata for the source layers for more specific accuracy information.
Data quality report - Attribute accuracy:
After the NISB habitat classification scheme was applied to the data, MS Access queries were used to confirm that all records had been reclassified correctly. However, it was not possible to test the accuracy of the source datasets, and the original classifications were taken on trust. A pragmatic approach was used in applying the scheme, as there was rarely sufficient information to test whether any given record met the criteria for classes (e.g. percent cover was often not listed). For this reason, if the source dataset stated that a polygon contained sparse seagrass, then it was classified as 2.0.2.1 Seagrass Dominated Habitat, even though it have had less than 5% seagrass cover. Conservative assumptions were made about the substrate, where this was not listed. For example, it was generally assumed that a seagrass site had a sediment substrate. The only state where it was believed that this assumption would not hold was Victoria and Tasmania, where Amphibolis occurs on both rock and sediment substrates in very limited locations. In those sites, substrate information was provided and no assumptions were made.
Data quality report - Conceptual consistency:
A single person conducted all classifications, using a consistent classification scheme. After merging, the datasets were visually inspected for overlaps, but were not tested for topological consistency.
Data quality report - Completeness:
CompleteThe NISB Habitat Map was created by the University of Tasmania for a partnership between the Department of Climate Change and the National Land and Water Resources Audit. It supports the DCC/Audit partnership by providing a nationally consistent set of the available mapping data for those habitats that occur between the approximate position of the highest astronomical tide mark (HAT) and the location of the outer limit of the photic benthic zone (approximately at the 50-70 m depth contour). This area is broadly equivalent to the 'inner' and 'mid-shelf' regions identified by Geoscience Australia. The resulting map data set forms a core component of the ECM National Habitat Map Series. The habitat classes include: coral reef, rock dominated habitat, sediment dominated habitat, mangroves, saltmarsh, seagrass, macroalgae and filter feeders (e.g. sponges), as defined in the NISB Habitat Classification Scheme. The scheme is designed to support the development of marine 'ecoregions' or bioregional subregions. Details of the scheme and the process of its development are available in National Intertidal/Subtidal Benthic (NISB) Habitat Classification Scheme Version 1 (Mount, Bricher and Newton, 2007). The NISB Habitat Map consists of two layers for each state. _NISB.shp consists of the entire available habitat mapping at a resolution finer than 1:50 000 (with a few exceptions, outlined in the data quality section below). _NISB_PLUS.shp consists of all the data in _NISB.shp along with coarser resolution data, including NVIS and OzEstuaries data. These layers were used to produce the National ECM Key Habitat Distribution Map Series 10 km and 50 km tile maps.<br/><br/>Note: This data is labelled as “NISB_plus”, indicating that it is the NISB Habitat layer plus other lower quality layers
Environmental Site Summary, Karratha Gas Plant.
No full textMaintenance and Update Frequency: unknownStatement: Original record compiled for the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI), Project 3.8, 2008. Originally sourced from DEWHA EPBC Referrals online (April, 2008). Metadata information generated from citations in referrals. Date range from citation date. Abstract derived from citation title only. Spatial extent derived from referral area of interest.<b>Credit</b><br/>URS Australia<b>Credit</b><br/>Woodside Petroleum LtdEnvironmental Site Summary, Karratha Gas Plant
Marine Bioregional Planning in the North-West (9th January 2008).
No full textMaintenance and Update Frequency: unknownStatement: Original record compiled for the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI), Project 3.8, 2008. Originally sourced from DEWHA EPBC Referrals online (April, 2008). Metadata information generated from citations in referrals. Date range from citation date. Abstract derived from citation title only. Spatial extent derived from referral area of interest.<b>Credit</b><br/>Department of the Environment Water Heritage and ArtsResults from the Marine Bioregional Planning in the North-West on the 9th January 2008
Distribution and Abundance of dugongs in NMP and Exmouth Gulf
No full textMaintenance and Update Frequency: unknownStatement: Original record compiled for the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI), Project 3.8, 2008. Originally sourced from several databases compiled by WA DEC Marine Science Branch of projects relevant to the marine parks of WA. Variable metadata information was available.<b>Credit</b><br/>Amanda Hodgson: James Cook University (JCU)To establish the abundance of dugong in NMP in relation to Shark Bay and Exmouth Gulf
Turtle Nest Survey at 40 Mile Beach
No full textMaintenance and Update Frequency: unknownStatement: Original record compiled for the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI), Project 3.8, 2008. Originally sourced from DEWHA EPBC Referrals online (April, 2008). Metadata information generated from citations in referrals. Date range from citation date. Abstract derived from citation title only. Spatial extent derived from referral area of interest.<b>Credit</b><br/>Astron EnvironmentalData on the Turtle Nest Survey at 40 Mile Beac