Authors / CoAuthors
Nichol, S.L. | Howard, F.J.F. | Kool, J. | Siwabessy, J. | Przeslawski, R.
Abstract
This report provides details of activities undertaken by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Geoscience Australia, the University of Western Australia and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory during a marine biodiversity survey to the Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve (Timor Sea) in 2012. The survey was an activity within the Australian Government's National Environmental Research Program Marine Biodiversity Hub and is a key component of Theme 4 - Regional Biodiversity Discovery to Support Marine Bioregional Plans. Data collected during the survey will be used to support research being undertaken in other Themes of the Marine Biodiversity Hub, including the modelling of ecosystem processes for the northern region, and to support the work programs of the Department of Environment.
Product Type
document
eCat Id
76658
Contact for the resource
Custodian
Owner
Custodian
Cnr Jerrabomberra Ave and Hindmarsh Dr GPO Box 378
Canberra
ACT
2601
Australia
Keywords
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- GA PublicationRecord
- ( Theme )
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- marine environmental baselines
- ( Theme )
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- bathymetry
- ( Theme )
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- marine biodiversity
- ( Theme )
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- marine survey
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- marine
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- NERP
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- AU-WA
- Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)
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- Marine Geoscience
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- Published_External
Publication Date
2013-01-01T00:00:00
Creation Date
Security Constraints
Legal Constraints
Status
Purpose
Maintenance Information
notPlanned
Topic Category
oceans
Series Information
Record 2013/038
Lineage
Unknown
Parent Information
Extents
[-13.0, -11.0, 126.0, 128.0]
Reference System
Spatial Resolution
Service Information
Associations
Source Information
Undertaken on the AIMS Research Vessel, Solander, the 21-day survey acquired data from four areas in the western sector of the Oceanic Shoals Marine Reserve. Covering 507 km2, these areas incorporate a variety of seabed geomorphic features across water depths that range from 30-180 m, including carbonate banks, shoals and pinnacles, plus soft sediment plains and valleys. The carbonate banks in particular, are recognised in the North Marine Region Plan as a Key Ecological Feature with potential as a biodiversity hotspot. Data acquired from each survey area included: continuous, high-resolution multibeam sonar bathymetry and acoustic backscatter; sub-bottom acoustic profiles along representative transects; physical samples of seabed sediments and infauna (hard- and soft-body organisms); physical samples of epibenthic biota (sponges & corals); video and still camera observations of seabed habitats and associated biological communities, including demersal and pelagic fish; observations of high-order pelagic predators (whales, dolphins), and; oceanographic measurements of the water column from CTD (conductivity, temperature, depth) casts and from deployment of sea surface drifters. In total, samples and/or video observations were collected at 70 stations. 126.0 128.0 -13.0 -11.0