Rule-based semi-automated tools for mapping seabed morphology from bathymetry data

Authors / CoAuthors

Abstract

Seabed morphology maps and data are critical for knowledge-building and best practice management of marine environments. To facilitate objective and repeatable production of these maps, we have developed a number of semi-automated, rule-based GIS tools (Geoscience Australia’s Semi-automated Morphological Mapping Tools (GA-SaMMT)) to operationalise the mapping of a common set of bathymetric high and bathymetric low seabed Morphological Features. The tools have a graphical user interface and were developed using Python scripts under the widely-used proprietary ArcGIS Pro platform. The utility of these tools was tested across nine case study areas that represent a diverse range of complex bathymetric and physiographic settings. Overall, the mapping results are found to be more consistent than manual mapping and allow for capture of greater detail across a range of spatial scales. The mapping results demonstrate a number of advantages of GA-SaMMT, including: 1) requirement of only a bathymetry grid as sole data input; 2) flexibility to apply domain knowledge to user-defined tool parameters or to use default parameter settings; 3) repeatability and consistency in the mapping outputs when using a consistent set of tool parameters (user defined or default); 4) high-degree of objectivity; and 5) efficiency in mapping a large number (thousands) of seabed morphology features in a single dataset. In addition, GA-SaMMT generates 34 and 46 metrics to comprehensively quantify the characteristics of individual seabed bathymetric high and low features, respectively. Our results indicate that attribute metrics are invaluable in the interpretation and modelling of mapped Morphology Features and provide insights into their formative processes and habitat potential for marine communities. Appeared in Front. Mar. Sci., 28 August 2023, Sec. Ocean Observation, Volume 10.

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document

eCat Id

147718

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Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia)
Cnr Jerrabomberra Ave and Hindmarsh Dr GPO Box 378
Canberra
ACT
2601
Australia

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Keywords

seabed

morphology

GA-SaMMT

mapping

bathymetry

ArcGIS python tools

geomorphology

theme.ANZRC Fields of Research.rdf

Marine geoscienceGeoinformatics not elsewhere classified

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Publication Date

2023-09-13T23:22:11

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Australian Government Security Classification System

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This paper is written as a product of national seabed morphology and geomorphology mapping project in Marine sections. The paper describes GA-SaMMT tools developed for mapping seabed morphology and presents the mapping results of using these tools for nine case studies. We intend to use this paper as an effective way of promote the use of GA-SaMMT tools and the published morphology classification scheme which GA has a significant contribution to.

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geoscientificInformation

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Frontiers in Marine Science

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<div>This paper is written as a product of national seabed morphology and geomorphology mapping project in Marine sections. This study used GA-SaMMT (https://dx.doi.org/10.26186/146832) developed in Geoscience Australia for mapping the seabed morphology. The bathymetry datasets used in this study have been acquired through various funding programs (Commonwealth Environmental Research Facilities Program; National Environmental Reseach Program; National Environmental Science Program; Offshore Energy Security Program; National Low Emissions Coal Initiative / National CO2 Infrastructure Plan).  </div><div><br></div><div>This study used nine case studies. The bathymetry datasets and publications of these nine case studies are listed below. Please see the paper for the details of these citations.</div><div>1. Bynoe Harbour: </div><div>a) Siwabessy et al. (2016) http://dx.doi.org/10.11636/Record.2017.004. (eCat: 100945)</div><div>b) Nicholas et al. (2019) http://pid.geoscience.gov.au/dataset/ga/127386. (eCat: 127386)</div><div>c) https://ecat.ga.gov.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/144556 (eCat: 144556)</div><div><br></div><div>2. Bonaparte Shelf:</div><div>a) Carroll et al. (2012) https://pid.geoscience.gov.au/dataset/ga/74627 (eCat: 74627)</div><div>b) Spinoccia (2012) http://dx.doi.org/10.4225/25/53DB119E95FA4 (eCat: 74866)</div><div><br></div><div>3. Bonaparte Basin:</div><div>a) Nichol et al. (2013) https://pid.geoscience.gov.au/dataset/ga/76658 (eCat: 76658)</div><div>b) Siwabessy and Picard (2014) http://dx.doi.org/10.4225/25/562EC3D2542B1 (eCat: 79006)</div><div><br></div><div>4. Leveque Shelf:</div><div>a) Picard et al. (2014) http://dx.doi.org/10.11636/Record.2014.010. (eCat: 78749)</div><div>b) Picard et al. (2016) https://pid.geoscience.gov.au/dataset/ga/83727 (eCat: 83727)</div><div><br></div><div>5. Point Cloates Shelf:</div><div>a) Brooke et al. (2009) https://pid.geoscience.gov.au/dataset/ga/68525 (eCat: 68525)</div><div>b) Nichol et al. (2012)</div><div>c) https://pid.geoscience.gov.au/dataset/ga/77253 (eCat: 77523)</div><div><br></div><div>6. Broken Ridge:</div><div>a) Picard et al. (2018)</div><div>b) Spinoccia (2017) https://pid.geoscience.gov.au/dataset/ga/82625</div><div><br></div><div>7. Tasmanian Seamounts:</div><div>a) Althaus et al. (2009)</div><div>b) Williams et al. (2020)</div><div>c) Williams et al. (2016) https://data.csiro.au/collection/csiro:57308</div><div><br></div><div>8. Gifford Seamounts:</div><div>a) Heap et al. (2009) https://pid.geoscience.gov.au/dataset/ga/68630 (eCat: 68630)</div><div>b) Nanson et al. (2018)</div><div>c) http://dx.doi.org/10.4225/25/5b3174bf2de9b (eCat: 121193)</div><div><br></div><div>9. Sabrina Slope:</div><div>a) O'Brien et al. (2020)</div><div>b) Post et al. (2020)</div><div>c) https://pid.geoscience.gov.au/dataset/ga/144481 (eCat: 144481)</div><div><br></div>

Parent Information

Extents

[-44.7375, -9.3667, 111.9794, 154.8586]

Reference System

Spatial Resolution

Service Information

Associations

Association Type - informed

Bynoe Harbour Marine Survey 2016: GA4452/SOL6432 Post-survey report

eCat Identifier - 100945,

UUID - f5ffb3d9-a0e6-4098-93ed-9a2883cea1e8

Association Type - informed

Characterising Marine Abiotic Patterns in the Darwin-Bynoe Harbour region: Summary report, Physical Environments, Darwin Harbour Habitat Mapping Project

eCat Identifier - 127386,

UUID - 80c85537-63d8-4932-b1f9-1d7545a1fe6d

Association Type - generated

Bynoe Harbour Habitat Mapping Bathymetry Survey (SOL6432/GA4452)

eCat Identifier - 144556,

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Association Type - informed

Seabed Environments and Shallow Geology of the Petrel Sub-basin, Northern Australia SOL5463 (GA0335) Post Survey Report (NLECI Program)

eCat Identifier - 74627,

UUID - c8c74d01-f382-572e-e044-00144fdd4fa6

Association Type - generated

Petrel Sub-basin Marine Survey (GA-0335 / SOL5463) (NLECI Program) - High Resolution Bathymetry Grids

eCat Identifier - 74866,

UUID - cd5509ee-00c9-098d-e044-00144fdd4fa6

Association Type - informed

Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve (Timor Sea) Biodiversity Survey: GA0339/SOL5650 Post-Survey Report

eCat Identifier - 76658,

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Association Type - generated

Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve - High Resolution Multibeam Sonar Bathymetry Grids

eCat Identifier - 79006,

UUID - f21824a7-8db1-5c00-e044-00144fdd4fa6

Association Type - informed

Seabed Environments and Shallow Geology of the Leveque Shelf, Western Australia SOL5754 (GA0340) Post Survey Report

eCat Identifier - 78749,

UUID - ef58506e-5ed1-7007-e044-00144fdd4fa6

Association Type - generated

Data package - Seabed environments and shallow geology of the Leveque Shelf, Browse Basin, Western Australia.

eCat Identifier - 83727,

UUID - 180ea3b0-773d-569b-e053-10a3070aa65f

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Carnarvon Shelf Survey Post-Cruise Report

eCat Identifier - 68525,

UUID - a05f7892-dbcb-7506-e044-00144fdd4fa6

Association Type - generated

MH370 Phase 1 Optimal Bathymetry datasets (GA-4421, GA-4422 and GA-4430)

eCat Identifier - 82625,

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Association Type - informed

Seabed Environments and Subsurface Geology of the Capel-Faust Basins and Gifford Guyot, Eastern Australia - TAN0713 Post-survey Report

eCat Identifier - 68630,

UUID - a05f7892-dc28-7506-e044-00144fdd4fa6

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Gifford Marine Park Bathymetry - 30m Resolution Grid

eCat Identifier - 121193,

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Seafloor bathymetry of the Sabrina slope canyons, East Antarctic margin

eCat Identifier - 144481,

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