AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
FRDC (2001/060) 'Characterising the fish habitats of the Recherche Archipelago' - Summary

The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation Project (FRDC) No. 2001/060 characterised and identified the distribution of the different benthic habitats of the Recherche Archipelago and identified the distribution of assemblages of fish, mobile invertebrates, filter feeding communities and seagrasses and the patterns and processes which structure them.

Tags: Biosphere | Aquatic Habitat | Benthic Habitat, Oceans | Bathymetry | Seafloor Topography, Oceans | Marine Biology | Fish, Oceans | Marine Biology | Marine Habitat, Oceans | Marine Biology | Marine Invertebrates, Oceans | Marine Biology | Marine Microbiota, Oceans | Marine Biology | Marine Plants, Oceans | Ocean Waves | Significant Wave Height
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Community composition of reef associated copepods in the lagoon of Davies Reef, Great Barrier Reef

Reef associated zooplankton were sampled at a fixed site in the north of the lagoon of Davies Reef in June, September and December 1989 and April 1990. Three sampling techniques were used to sample the zooplankton community on each occasion. Analysis of samples focussed on the copepod community. Triplicate vertical hauls of a 150 cm long, 50 cm diameter, 64 µm plankton net were made through the full water column and also for the top 6m only. Samples were taken over a 24 hour period (2 tidal cycles) at times corresponding to low tide, mid-tide (rising), high tide and mid-tide (falling). After each set of net hauls, Niskin casts were made at 3, 6 and 9 m depth and near the bottom. Subsamples of the water were filtered through a 35 µm filter for determination of the number of nauplii and additional subsamples were taken for chlorophyll analysis. Swarming copepod species, not well sampled using plankton nets, were observed using SCUBA and samples were collected and identified when swarms were abundant.In the laboratory, the preserved net samples were subsampled. Counts were made of adult copepods, identified to species and sex where possible, and juveniles identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level.
 This research was undertaken to describe diurnal, tidal and seasonal changes in the reef associated copepod community in the water column in the lagoon at Davies Reef.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
IMOS - Ocean Gliders - Seaglider deployment in Western Australia off Kalbarri (May - June 2009)

The dataset contains temperature, salinity and biological parameters like for example dissolved oxygen and turbidity data measured by a Seaglider in the region of Kalbarri (Western Australia).
The Ocean Gliders Facility (formerly known as the Australian National Facility for Ocean Gliders (ANFOG)), located at the University of Western Australia manages Seagliders to monitor the boundary currents surroundings Australia.
The variables available in this dataset are:
Temperature, salinity, conductivity, density, pressure, chromophoric dissolved oxygen matter, dissolved oxygen, fluorescence and backscatter coefficient at 660nm.

Tags: CTD (Conductivity-Temperature-Depth Profilers), Coloured Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM), Countries | Australia, Fluorometers, Glider, IMOS Node | Bluewater and Climate, Oceans | Ocean Chemistry | Chlorophyll, Oceans | Ocean Chemistry | Oxygen, Oceans | Ocean Chemistry | Suspended Solids, Oceans | Ocean Circulation | Ocean Currents, Oceans | Ocean Optics | Fluorescence, Oceans | Ocean Optics | Turbidity, Oceans | Ocean Temperature | Water Temperature, Oceans | Salinity/density | Conductivity, Seaglider, States, Territories (Australia) | Western Australia, concentration_of_coloured_dissolved_organic_matter, fluorescence_in_sea_water, mass_concentration_of_oxygen_in_sea_water, sea_water_electrical_conductivity, sea_water_pressure, sea_water_salinity, sea_water_temperature, volumetric_backscatter_coefficient
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Mixotrophy in soft corals of the Great Barrier Reef

Primary production, respiration and bathymetric distribution were investigated in the 10 most common zooxanthellate soft corals on mid-shelf reefs of the Great Barrier Reef (Davies and nearby reefs). Oxygen flux of corals collected from 5-20 m was measured at 6m depth over 24 hours using data-logger respirometers.The photosynthetic and respiratory rates of 10 zooxanthellate and 2 azooxanthellate soft coral genera were determined. Colonies were collected from depths of 5, 10 and 20 m and measured at 6 m depth - only colonies which appeared to have recovered from handling were used in respirometric measurements.Irradiance and oxygen flux rates of the 10 zooxanthellate taxa were measured. The degree of contraction or expansion of each soft coral was recorded every 3 hours during the day and once or twice at night for every 24 h respirometry run.Transects (25 m x 0.5m, perpendicular to the slope) were surveyed at 5 m depth intervals from 5-30 m on windward, leeward, northern and southern flanks (note not all went to 30 m deep); mean density of all common soft coral taxa were recorded, and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was measured.
 To assess the contribution of phototrophy to the carbon requirements of the most common taxa inhabiting the upper 20 m on the central Great Barrier Reef.To examine the effect of depth and degree of colony contraction on rates of phototrophy.
 Samples of specimens were collected for taxonomic identification: these are kept in the Northern Territory Museum, Darwin.Soft corals: Family Alcyoniidae (Lobophytum spp., Sarcophyton spp., Sinularia 7 spp.); Family Asterospiculariidae (Asterospicularia sp.); Family Briareidae (Briareum stechii); Family Nephtheidae (Capnella lacertiliensis, Dedronephthya 2 spp., Nephthya sp., Paralemnalia clavata, Paralemnalia digitiformis, Scleronephthya sp.); Family Xeniidae (Efflatounaria sp., Xenia spp.).Reefs:

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Ichthys Gas Field Development -  Marine Turtle Studies.

The aims of the marine turtle baseline studies are to describe the behaviour and distribution of marine turtles and their favoured nesting beaches around the Maret Islands and in the broader West Kimberley region.
Objectives
The objectives of the turtle population studies are to:
- Determine the genetic affinities of the breeding population of green and flatback turtles on the Maret Islands;
- Identify critical marine turtle habitats (aggregation and nesting areas) in the vicinity of the proposed development;
- Determine the relative importance of habitats on the Maret Islands in comparison with surrounding areas of the West Kimberley region;
- Quantify the usage of the Maret Islands by nesting marine turtles; and 
- Assess the potential lighting impacts on turtles from the proposed development on the Maret Islands. Studies have been conducted over 2 nesting seasons (2006/7 and 2007/8). Satellite tags were affixed to both green and flatback turtles.

Tags: Aircraft/Airbourne Equipment | Aerial Surveys, Biosphere | Ecological Dynamics | Population Dynamics, Environmental Impact Assessment, Field Surveys | Shore Surveys, Flatback Turtles, Genetics, Green Turtles, Ichthys Gas Field Development, Marine Features (Australia) | Kimberley Coast, WA, Mating Aggregation, Nesting, Tags and Tracking Devices, Turtle
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
WAMSI Kimberley hyper-spectral data - 18th September 2008

On the 18th of September 2008 a hyper-spectral scanner (AISA+ Airborne Hyperspectral System from Specim - Spectral Imaging Ltd.) collected data from part of the Kimberley (Montgomery Reef). 
The thumbnail shows flight lines.  Further information can be obtained through contacts listed below.

Tags: Hyper-Spectral Scanner
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Synthetic data for reef modelling

Synthetic data can be used to support model analyses that can be published without referring to specific sites, reefs, or study areas. Here a synthetic data pipeline has been developed for the reef decision-support system ADRIA (Adaptive Dynamic Reef Intervention Algorithms). This pipeline includes developing models for tabular (benthic/compositional reef data), spatial-temporal (wave and heat stress data) and spatial network data (coral larval connectivity). Conditional sampling methods which connect spatial relationships across datasets are used to develop synthetic reef data packages which mimic the statistical properties of the original dataset.
See Crocker et al (2024) for full details.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Port River Adelaide CTD Survey October 1994

A total of 30 conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) stations were collected on the 15th October 1994, from the Adelaide River, for collection of water temperature and salinity data.

Tags: Oceans | Ocean Temperature | Water Temperature, Oceans | Salinity/density | Salinity, depth, sea_water_salinity, sea_water_temperature
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Tasmania Tide Monitoring Project

In collaboration with the Tasmanian State Emergency Service, water level monitoring instruments were installed to enable the collection of data in four estuaries identified as being vulnerable to coastal and compound flooding: Derwent Estuary, Huon Estuary, Georges Bay, and Macquarie Harbour. These instruments recorded fluctuations in water levels due to the combined influences of tide, river discharge, and weather events. The effects of the January 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai tsunami following a significant submarine volcanic explosion was also recorded in three out of the four estuaries. The datasets, comprising reduced water level observations, predicted water level, and residuals, are available from the IMAS Data Portal.
Water level observations of varying duration were recorded between November 2020 – November 2022 for 14 sites in four Tasmanian estuaries. This work was undertaken by Karen Palmer as part of a PhD candidature at the University of Tasmania under the supervision of Dr Christopher Watson, Dr John Hunter, Assoc Prof Hannah Power (University of Newcastle), and Dr Rebecca Harris.

Tags: TIDAL DATUMS, TIDAL PLANES, TIDAL PROPAGATION
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Dampier Marine Park Habitat Validation

MScience conducted a restricted habitat mapping exercise on behalf of Robe River Mining to confirm the type and location of a benthic habitat class mapped and identified previously by satellite. Transects were recorded through field use of a drop camera and video.  Habitat type within the transects were assigned a class by experienced marine scientists and the data used to update a GIS of habitats of the area.

Tags: Ascidians, Habitat Class, Habitat mapping, alconarians, gorgonians, poriferans, scleractinians
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Phytoplankton sampling in the coastal waters of south eastern Tasmania

Phytoplankton was counted and identified from five sites over the 5-year period. Annual cycles in abundance are available (as cells mL-1), along with detailed species identification. Cell measurements and approximate geometric shape were also recorded for the calculation of biovolume (μL cell-1). Diatoms and dinoflagellates dominated the samples in terms of biomass, however, small cells were also very abundant throughout each year. The data are restricted to an integrated sample from the top 12 m of the water column. Fluorescence profiles elsewhere in this dataset can provide an indication of phytoplankton presence lower in the water column.

Tags: Storm Bay, Temperate Reef
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Redmap (Tasmania) - Sightings of Invertebrate Species

Redmap is a primarily a website that invites the community to spot, log and map marine species that are uncommon in their region, or along particular parts of their coast. The information collected is mapped and displayed on the site, demonstrating, in time, how species distributions may be changing.
Sightings are divided into two categories – those with a photo that can be ‘verified’ by a marine biologist, and sightings without photos that we call community sightings (anecdotal). All the information collected, with and without photos, is mapped and will be used in the following years to map out a ‘story’ of changes occurring in our marine environment.
The main data collected includes the species sighted (normally selected from a list comprising preselected species of interest), the location, date/time and activity being undertaken.  Other optional information gathered include biological data such as sex, size and weight and environmental data such as water depth and temperature and habitat.
This record is associated with live data (and will subsequently change over time) and spatial elements have reduced accuracy.  It is also subject to a three year embargo (ie. does not contain data less than three years old).  If you wish to discuss obtaining a citable, static dataset, that is current and/or contains accurate spatial elements, please see Point of Contact.

Tags: Hand Sampling, body_length, body_weight, climate change, range shift, species distribution, fishing, latitude, longitude
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
WAMSI Node 3.1.1b and 3.2.2 - Ecosystem Effects of Fishing: finescale coral reef fish surveys Ningaloo Reef - Osprey Sanctuary Zone

From 2006 to 2007 at northern Ningaloo Reef, stereo Baited Remote Underwater Video (stereo-BRUVs) and stereo Diver Operated Video (stereo-DOVs) were used to measure fish assemblages across shallow coral reef lagoon habitats. Osprey Sanctuary zone was one area that was studied.  The video footage was used to create the raw abundance and length data of different fish species.

Tags: Biosphere | Aquatic Habitat | Reef Habitat, Oceans | Marine Biology | Fish
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
A systematic review of literature that assess the effects of sewage disposal on soft sediment assemblages.

This review was a synthesis of studies that monitored the effects of sewage disposal in the marine environment. Twenty studies that were conducted between 1973 and 1997 and met specific design requirements (i.e. no confounding factors, appropriate replication) were included in the review. 
Background data relating to discharge type, quantity, level of detail and sampling procedures of the investigation in each study were collated. Any impact that was detected was recorded for each endpoint. The magnitude of change or effect size was calculated for each study and was defined as the percent change at the impact site relative to the control sites. 
There were some consistencies in the monitoring strategies and benthic responses between studies in different areas. Multivariate indicators and population level analyses were the most sensitive measures for detecting sewage related impacts. Abundance usually increased at outfall sites relative to controls (30-250% magnitude of change) while species richness, diversity and evenness tended to decrease (16-90% magnitude of change). The geographic extent of the studies were limited to temperate regions except for 1 study that was conducted in Antarctica.

Tags: Biosphere | Aquatic Habitat | Benthic Habitat | soft sediment | mudflat, Biosphere | Ecological Dynamics | Community Structure, Biosphere | Ecological Dynamics | Predation | shorebirds, Biosphere | Ecological Dynamics | Trophic Dynamics | resource enhancement | predation, Biosphere | Zoology | Invertebrates, Human Dimensions | Environmental Impacts | Eutrophication, Human Dimensions | Environmental Impacts | Sewage | effluent, Oceans | Marine Biology | Marine Invertebrates | infauna
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Redmap (South Australia) - Sightings of Reptilian Species

Redmap is a primarily a website that invites the community to spot, log and map marine species that are uncommon in their region, or along particular parts of their coast. The information collected is mapped and displayed on the site, demonstrating, in time, how species distributions may be changing.
Sightings are divided into two categories – those with a photo that can be ‘verified’ by a marine biologist, and sightings without photos that we call community sightings (anecdotal). All the information collected, with and without photos, is mapped and will be used in the following years to map out a ‘story’ of changes occurring in our marine environment.
The main data collected includes the species sighted (normally selected from a list comprising preselected species of interest), the location, date/time and activity being undertaken.  Other optional information gathered include biological data such as sex, size and weight and environmental data such as water depth and temperature and habitat.
This record is associated with live data (and will subsequently change over time) and spatial elements have reduced accuracy.  It is also subject to a three year embargo (ie. does not contain data less than three years old).  If you wish to discuss obtaining a citable, static dataset, that is current and/or contains accurate spatial elements, please see Point of Contact.

Tags: Hand Sampling, body_length, body_weight, climate change, range shift, species distribution, fishing, latitude, longitude
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Nautical Charts of the Western Australian Coastline.

Printed and digital coastal nautical navigation charts based upon the department and the Australian Hydrographic Service's detailed bathymetric surveys.   The charts support the department's marine administration and management duties.   Chart design conform to the Admiralty and International Hydrographic Organisation's  standards.   Refer to the published index for coverage.

Tags: Nautical Chart, Navigation, Oceans | Bathymetry | Seafloor Topography
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Side scan sonar acoustic surveys in Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia (WAMSI Node 3 Project 1 Subproject 3.1.1)

The Klein Side Scan Sonar system is used in a wide variety of underwater search, survey, and engineering applications. These systems employ acoustic energy and electronics to create a continuous graphical record of the sea floor surface topography. The graphical record produced by this system approximates an aerial photograph of the sea floor surface. Klein System 3000 side scan sonar surveys were concentrated between the areas of Gnarloo and Red Bluff and were conducted in two parts. The first part of the survey covered a total swath area of 21,871,725.4m2 and a total track line length of 117,861.1m parallel to the coast from Red Bluff to Gnaraloo. The second part of the survey covered a total swath area of 11,979,623.5m2 and a total track line length of 70,108m and ran perpendicular to the coast in two areas in between Red Bluff and Gnaraloo.
 The objective of the acoustic survey was to test its capabilities for mapping the seafloor in the deep waters of Ningaloo Marine Park and determine the textural differences in the seafloor, which in turn correlate to particular benthic habitats. The different textures (habitats) could then be groundtruthed to confirm the correlations between textures and habitat type/benthos.
 A Sub-Bottom Profiler was not used in this survey but could compliment any future acoustic survey by providing information about the thickness of the sedimentary veneer present in any given location and how the characteristics of this veneer affectscolonisation of benthos and its ability to sustain itself in any given place. A profiler of this type may also provide information about the changes occurring temporally and spatially in sediments overlying the limestone base of the slope. Initial set-up and testing of the Klein system was completed close to Exmouth at the Muiron Island Marine Management Area. The unit and technician were hired from Seismic Asia Pacific Pty Ltd.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Reproduction of Holothuria whitmaei (sea cucumber) in the Indian and Pacific Ocean regions of Australia

Seasonal trends in the gonad index (GI) of two widely separated populations of black teatfish, Holothuria whitmaei (Bell, 1887), were investigated between Pacific (Great Barrier Reef) and Indian Ocean (Ningaloo Reef) coral reefs of Australia.

Tags: 25 416033, Biosphere | Ecological Dynamics | Species Recruitment, Gonad Index (GI), Holothuria whitmaei, Oceans | Marine Biology | Marine Invertebrates, Reproduction, black teatfish
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Oceanic Shoals Marine Biodiversity Survey, Timor Sea (NERP Marine Biodiversity Hub, Theme 4, Project 1)

Surveys were carried out in targeted shallow seabed environments within the proposed Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve (CMR) in the Timor Sea. The survey concentrated on shelf habitats (Digital data collected:Navigation (AIMS)Navigation (Geoscience Australia)Multibeam bathymetry and backscatter (Geoscience Australia)Single-channel sub-bottom profiler along representative lines (Geoscience Australia)CTD fluorometer, transmissometer, altimeter, PAR/Irradiance, SPAR/Surface irradiance, (AIMS)Thermo-salinograph data (AIMS)Towed video and stills with USBL positioning (AIMS)Baited Remote Underwater Video Station video from BRUVS and SISSTAS deployments (AIMS and UWA)Biological sample stills (Geoscience Australia)Physical samples collected:Water samples (Geoscience Australia)Smith-McIntyre Grab sediment samples (Geoscience Australia)Shipek Grab sediment samples (Geoscience Australia)Benthic sled biological samples (AIMS and MGNT)Plankton samples using CPR (Geoscience Australia)
 This research was undertaken to:1. collect physical and biological samples and data to fill major knowledge gaps for the proposed Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve (CMR) in the Timor Sea 2. analyse these data to gain an understanding of patterns of community assembly and associated physical drivers of marine biodiversity including connectivity in this region3. use national mapping and survey capacity to support further understanding of biodiversity in this region
 The Marine Biodiversity Survey of the proposed Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve (CMR) in the Timor Sea was a research collaboration between the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Geoscience Australia (GA), University of Western Australia (UWA) and the Museum &amp; Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MGNT). The survey was the main activity for the National Environmental Research Program (NERP) Marine Biodiversity Hub Theme 4: Regional Biodiversity Discovery to Support Marine Bioregional Plans. Data from this survey will be used to support the research goals of the other three themes in the Marine Biodiversity Hub and to support the work programs of the Department of the Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC).

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network