AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Dinoflagellate cyst distribution over the past 9 kyrs BP on the east coast Tasmania, southeast Australia

Southeastern Australia's marine waters are undergoing a trend of increased warming, surpassing the global average. This area has emerged as an alluring location for research on planktic microfossils, particularly dinoflagellate cysts, which are abundant in contemporary and Late Quaternary sediments. The composition of dinoflagellate cyst assemblages offers valuable information about the physical and biogeochemical properties of mid-latitude waters in this region. This study presents an analysis of cyst assemblages from marine sediment cores from waters inshore and offshore Maria Island, Tasmania, southeast Australia, up to 9 kyrs BP. The dominant cysts were Protoceratium reticulatum, Protoperidinium spp. (P. avellana, P. conicum,  P.minutum,  P.  oblongum, P. subinerme, P.  shanghaiense) and Spiniferites spp. (S. bulloideus, S. hyperacanthus, S. membranaceus, S. mirabilis, S. pachydermus, and S. ramosus). Inshore, Spiniferites spp. were more abundant (up to 61%), while P. reticulatum was dominant (up to 80%) at the offshore site. Impagidinium spp. and Nematosphaeropsis labyrinthus were exclusively detected offshore, with their increasing occurrence from 6 kyrs BP to present suggesting a transition from shallow coastal to stable deep-water habitat. Cysts of the Alexandrium tamarense complex were detected over the past 140 years and 9 kyrs BP at the inshore and offshore sites respectively, indicating an endemic long-term presence. Low abundances of Gymnodinium catenatum cysts were detected exclusively inshore from 50 years ago to present, suggesting recent bloom events. The limited southward penetration of the East Australian Current is indicated by the lack of warm-water cyst taxa such as Lingulodinium machaerophorum. Unlike coccolithophores, previously studied in the same sediment core, no discernible shift from cold to warm-water dinoflagellate cyst species was observed. The documentation of dinoflagellate cyst assemblages presented in this study will aid in predicting the effects of climate change, eutrophication, and introduction of novel species on local and broader community dynamics.

Tags: Alexandrium tamarense, Cyst, East Australian Current, Gymnodinium catenatum, Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB), Impagidinium spp., Nematosphaeropsis labyrinthus, Protoceratium reticulatum, Protoperidinium spp., Spiniferites spp.
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Seamap Australia National Benthic Habitat Layer (NBHL)

The Seamap Australia National Benthic Habitat Layer (NBHL) is a compilation of benthic habitat datasets obtained from various sectors including research, government, industry and community sources, across Australia. These disparate datasets have been integrated into a single national-scale benthic habitat database, and classified uniformly under a national classification scheme implemented as a controlled vocabulary (https://vocabs.ardc.edu.au/viewById/129). Creation of this classification scheme complements work undertaken by the National Environmental Science Program (NESP) Marine Biodiversity Hub (Theme D).

For acceptance into the Seamap Australia NBHL, source habitat datasets must meet a set of Acceptance Criteria (documented in https://seamapaustralia.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SeamapAustraliaDataAcceptanceGuidelines.pdf). 

Broadly speaking, for inclusion in the Seamap Australia NBHL, datasets must:
(1) be well-described by metadata or associated documentation;
(2) employ a single, consistent classification scheme which avoids non-deterministic or ambiguous terms;
(3) bequality-controlled by the provider prior to contribution;
(4) beacquired using an established and community-endorsed form of data collection (eg satellite, aerial or acoustic remote sensing); and
(5) have documented evidence of ground-truthing validation at the time of data collection (e.g. drop camera, towed video, benthic grabs).

The Seamap Australia NBHL can be viewed, analysed and downloaded from the Seamap Australia data portal (https://seamapaustralia.org/map) – a national repository of seafloor habitat data and a decision support tool for marine managers. All habitat datasets in the Seamap Australia data portal, including the NBHL and all local- to regional-scale contributing datasets, are available for download.

The Seamap Australia NBHL is a data collection of national importance and highlights the diversity of benthic habitats across Australia’s marine estate. This is the first Australian habitat dataset that seamlessly consolidates data from each of Australia’s state and territory providers. This dataset should be considered a “live” asset and will continue to develop as more suitable validated habitat data becomes available for inclusion, and improvements in data collection and analysis techniques enhance its resolution and currency.

The most current (2025) version of the data is available from the following endpoints:
WMS: https://geoserver.imas.utas.edu.au/geoserver/seamap/wms
WFS: https://geoserver.imas.utas.edu.au/geoserver/seamap/wfs
Layer name: SeamapAus_National_Benthic_Habitat_Layer

A download link for the full dataset is supplied in the 'Download and Links' section of this record, along with download links to older versions of the dataset. Note that data is now only available in Geodatabase (.gdb) format as it exceeds Shapefile size limits.

Tags: Benthic seafloor habitat
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Biochemical metabolomic profiling of the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster): New insight into its biology for improved pest management

This dataset captures the first comprehensive metabolite and lipid profiles of Crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) tissues, a species whose outbreaks pose a major threat to coral reefs. Understanding the chemical biology of COTS is critical because these molecules underpin reproduction, defence, and other processes that could be targeted for population control, making the dataset highly valuable for reef-management research and biocontrol development.

Specimens were collected from Wheeler Reef in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR Wheeler Reef (-18.800 S, 147.521) ) in October 2021 under Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Permit G21/38062.1. Ten distinct COTS tissues including pyloric stomach, pyloric caeca, spines, eyes, skin, sensory tentacles, vertebrae, tube feet, radial nerve, gonads, and eggs were dissected and chemically analysed.The chemical data were collected to characterise baseline metabolite, lipid, and asterosaponin composition across the tissues and to identify tissue-specific chemical signatures that may influence COTS reproduction, defence, and vulnerability. This information supports the search for novel control strategies such as chemotaxis-based biocontrol and the potential commercial use of bioactive compounds found in COTS.

Data acquisition involved targeted and untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics using mass spectrometry to generate high-resolution profiles of small molecules and lipids. This approach enabled the identification of 410 metabolites and 367 lipids, including defensive saponins, reproductive asterosaponins, and abundant metabolites such as inosine and 2-hexyldecanoic acid.

Data interpretation focuses on comparing chemical profiles across tissues to reveal spatial patterns in metabolites, lipids, and asterosaponins. These patterns provide insight into tissue-specific biological functions&mdash;such as defence, reproduction, and structural biochemistry&mdash;and highlight molecular targets that could be manipulated to reduce COTS populations. The raw dataset is stored at CSIRO.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
CSIRO-Mk3-6-0 model output prepared for CMIP5 abrupt4xCO2

abrupt4xco2 is an experiment of the CMIP5 - Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5
(http://cmip-pcmdi.llnl.gov/cmip5/). CMIP5 is meant to provide a framework for coordinated
climate change experiments for the next five years and thus includes simulations for
assessment in the AR5 as well as others that extend beyond the AR5.

6.3 abrupt4xco2 (6.3 Abrupt 4XCO2) - Version 1: Impose an instantaneous quadrupling of CO2, then hold fixed.

Experiment design: http://cmip-pcmdi.llnl.gov/cmip5/docs/Taylor_CMIP5_design.pdf
List of output variables: http://cmip-pcmdi.llnl.gov/cmip5/docs/standard_output.pdf
Output: time series per variable in model grid spatial resolution in netCDF format
Earth System model and the simulation information: CIM repository

Entry name/title of data are specified according to the Data Reference Syntax
(http://cmip-pcmdi.llnl.gov/cmip5/docs/cmip5_data_reference_syntax.pdf)
as activity/product/institute/model/experiment/frequency/modeling realm/MIP table/ensemble
member/version number/variable name/CMOR filename.nc.

Tags: 0399 - Other Chemical Sciences, 0401 - Atmospheric Sciences, 0405 - Oceanography, 0406 - Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience, Atmospheric Sciences, National Computational Infrastructure (NCI), Oceanography, Other Chemical Sciences (Environmental Chemistry), Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Arafura Marine Park survey (SOL7491/GA0366)

This resource includes bathymetry data for Arafura Marine Park (Arafura Sea) collected by Geoscience Australia (GA) and the Australian Institute of Marine Science during the period 2 – 15 November 2020 on the RV Solander. The survey was undertaken as a collaborative project funded through the National Environmental Science Program Marine Biodiversity Hub, with co-investment by GA and AIMS. The purpose of the project was to build baseline information for benthic habitats in Arafura Marine Park that will support ongoing environmental monitoring within the North Marine Park Network as part of the 10-year management plan (2018-2028). Data acquisition for the project included multibeam bathymetry and backscatter for two areas (Money Shoal and Pillar Bank), seabed samples and underwater imagery of benthic communities and demersal fish. This bathymetry dataset contains a 6 m resolution 32-bit geotiff of the survey areas produced from the processed EM2040C Dual Head system using CARIS HIPS and SIPS software. A detailed report on the survey is provided in: Picard, K. Stowar, M., Roberts, N., Siwabessy, J., Abdul Wahab, M.A., Galaiduk, R., Miller, K., Nichol, S. 2021. Arafura Marine Park Post Survey Report. Report to the National Environmental Science Program, Marine Biodiversity Hub.

Tags: AusSeabed, Bathymetric grids, Bathymetry, EARTH SCIENCES, Marine, Multibeam, Published_External
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Quantifying capture and ingestion of live feeds across three coral species

Optimal nutrition is paramount to the health of all organisms. Scleractinian coral species utilize a diverse range of feeding modalities and behaviours, and optimal heterotrophic feeding protocols may therefore vary between species. The described experiments assessed the capture and ingestion rates of the commonly used live feed organism Artemia by three Scleractinian coral species (Galaxea fascicularis, Pocillopora acuta, Acropora millepora; 3 genotypes per species). The described experiments were performed in a SeaSim aquaria-room (in the CMMG facility) using 2.5 L flow-through feeding chambers (2 L water), with water movement provided by a magnetic stirrer. For each coral species, Artemia were delivered at different densities, and results were acquired and compared using two distinct methods: the frequently reported capture rate method (an indirect method; Capture experiment), and direct quantification of Artemia preloaded with fluorescent beads in polyps after dissection (demonstrating ingestion; Ingestion experiment). This work was supported by AIMS appropriation funding for the project Coral aquaculture: nutrition, probiotics and health. The project built on previous AIMS research into coral nutrition and supported the development of RRAP-funded projects (CAD-1 Coral Propagation and Deployment and ECT3-2.2 Coral nutrition).

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
South-west Corner Marine Park survey – bathymetry (GA-4858)

This resource includes bathymetry data for South-west Corner Marine Park collected by Geoscience Australia during the periods 9 – 12 March 2020 and 27 January – 16 February 2021 on the charter vessel Santosha. The survey was undertaken as a collaborative project with the University of Western Australia, the University of Tasmania and the Australian Centre for Field Robotics (University of Sydney), and funded through the National Environmental Science Program Marine Biodiversity Hub, with co-investment by all partners and the Director of National Parks. The purpose of the project was to build baseline information for benthic habitats on the continental shelf in the marine park that will support ongoing environmental monitoring within the South-West Marine Park Network as part of the 10-year management plan (2018-2028). Data acquisition for the project included multibeam bathymetry and backscatter for an area covering 330 km^2 (excluding transit) offshore from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin coast, with underwater imagery of benthic communities and demersal fish collected by the University of Western Australia on separate field deployments. This bathymetry dataset contains a 5 m resolution 32-bit geotiff file of the survey area produced from the processed Kongsberg EM2040C multibeam sonar system using CARIS HIPS and SIPS software. For further information see: Giraldo-Ospina, A. et al., 2021. South-west Corner Marine Park Post Survey Report. Report to the National Environmental Science Program, Marine Biodiversity Hub.

Tags: AusSeabed, Bathymetric grids, Bathymetry, Marine, Multibeam, Published_Internal
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Propagation method and species drive survival patterns across reef zones in coral seeding on the Great Barrier Reef

This dataset documents early post-deployment survival of coral spat and microfragments deployed on seeding devices at Davies Reef (central Great Barrier Reef). The data were collected to quantify early survival trajectories and to compare survival patterns across propagation methods, species, and spatial scales along a wave-energy gradient within a single reef system. The dataset also supports assessment of density-dependent mortality and fine-scale spatial variability in early coral survival.

Corals were deployed using standardized &ldquo;star&rdquo; seeding devices engineered by AIMS under the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program. Each device holds three coral tabs. A total of 250 multi-species spat devices and 250 multi-species microfragment devices were assembled, each containing one tab of Acropora loripes, Montipora turtlensis, and Mycedium elephantotus. In addition, 50 single-species spat devices and 50 single-species microfragment devices containing Galaxea fascicularis were deployed.

Devices were deployed at ten sites across Davies Reef spanning a natural wave-energy gradient. At each site, 25 paired multi-species spat and microfragment devices were deployed at ~6 m depth along 25 m transects. Five paired single-species (G. fascicularis) spat and microfragment devices were deployed at each transect end.

Survival data were collected through repeated in situ censuses, with individual corals scored as alive or dead at each time point. Associated metadata include deployment and census dates, site and device identifiers, benthic community composition at the device and site level, in situ flow velocity, and temperature.

The dataset is structured for quantitative analysis of early coral survival using generalized linear mixed-effects models, survival analyses, and comparative approaches that account for repeated censuses and hierarchical spatial structure (reef, site, device).

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Redmap (Western Australia) - Sightings of Algae and Plant 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
NSW Ocean Ecosystems 2002

An environmental classification developed in conjunction with the NSW Marine Parks Authority Research Committee. For more information see: Breen D.A. and R.P. Avery. (2002). Broad-scale biodiversity assessment of the Manning Shelf marine bioregion. Draft final report for the NSW Marine Parks Authority. Copies of the report may be borrowed from the library: Environment Australia, GPO Box 787, Canberra ACT 2601 Australia.

This coverage is intended for used in regional level marine conservation assessment. It was prepared using very low cost techniques (ie. unrectified API) and should not be relied upon for navigation purposes.



This record describes the environmental classification of the four ocean ocean ecosystems classified by depth. The full study also describes classes for each of the five major estuary ecosystems, and nine habitat surrogates.

Tags: Benthic habitat, environment, oceans
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
South-west Corner Marine Park survey – backscatter (GA-4858)

This resource includes seabed backscatter data for South-west Corner Marine Park collected by Geoscience Australia during the periods 9 – 12 March 2020 and 27 January – 16 February 2021 on the charter vessel Santosha. The survey was undertaken as a collaborative project with the University of Western Australia, the University of Tasmania and the Australian Centre for Field Robotics (University of Sydney) and funded through the National Environmental Science Program Marine Biodiversity Hub, with co-investment by all partners and the Director of National Parks. The purpose of the project was to build baseline information for benthic habitats on the continental shelf in the marine park that will support ongoing environmental monitoring within the South-west Marine Park Network as part of the 10-year management plan (2018-2028). Data acquisition for the project included multibeam bathymetry and backscatter for an area covering 330 km^2 offshore from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin coast, with underwater imagery of benthic communities and demersal fish collected by University of Western Australia on separate field deployments. This backscatter dataset contains a 4 m resolution 32-bit geotiff file of the survey area produced from the processed Kongsberg EM2040C multibeam sonar system data using the CMST-GA MB Process v15.04.04.0 (.64) toolbox software co-developed by the Centre for Marine Science and Technology at Curtin University and Geoscience Australia. For further information see: Giraldo-Ospina, A. et al., 2021. South-west Corner Marine Park Post Survey Report. Report to the National Environmental Science Program, Marine Biodiversity Hub.

Tags: AusSeabed, Backscatter, Backscatter grids, Marine, Multibeam, Published_Internal
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
D'Entrecasteaux Channel water sampling (KSA324 assessment 2023)

Data were collected by third-year students on a KSA324 field excursion down the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, on the IMAS vessel Noctiluca. The purpose of the trip was for students to learn how to collect various common types of oceanographic data and work on a research vessel. The study was designed to assess the impact of finfish farming in the Channel on local nutrient levels and water quality. The Tasmanian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) methods for water quality monitoring around finfish farms (Ford 2021, p. 6 – 18) were replicated as closely as possible. The null hypothesis for this study was that, on the 17/04/2023, all measured physico-chemical and biological factors were not significantly above the levels specified by the EPA guidelines (Ford 2021, p. 6 – 18), in any of the four stations measured. These four stations were chosen because they were all further than 35 metres beyond the boundary of any finfish farms’ Lease Area, as specified by the EPA guidelines document (Ford 2021, p. 6). The precise latitudes and longitudes of these stations are as follows: M1 (-43.059295, 147.345047); M2 (-43.056057, 147.291386); M3 (-43.123841, 147.290882); M4 (-43.133534, 147.326519). 

The dataset includes measurements of temperature, conductivity, oxygen concentration, pH, turbidity, fluorescence and pressure taken by the CTD rosette. Depth, density, practical salinity, absolute salinity and conservative temperature were derived and also included. The dataset also contains bottle sample measurements of oxygen, pH and alkalinity, as well as both the total and dissolved concentrations of ammonia, NOx, nitrite, phosphate and silicate. Chlorophyll concentration, total plankton cell counts, and counts of only Gymnodinium catenatum (a toxic, invasive dinoflagellate) cells were also included in the dataset. The dataset also contains the Secchi depth at each station. Empty cells are indicated by “NA”. ODV data flagging convention was used: 0 = good quality; 1 = unknown quality; 4 = questionable quality; 8 = bad quality.

Reference:
Ford, W (Director for the Environment Protection Authority) 2021, Environmental Licence No. 9869/3, Environmental Licence under the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994, pp. 6 – 18.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
AIMS BRUVS data for ISRA submission

Coral reef areas of the Great Barrier Reef were surveyed to assess shark and ray diversity and abundance using baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS). This dataset collates data for multiple projects, including the first global assessment in 2015 and 2016 (Global FinPrint Project), 2019 (GBRF), and 2024 (FinPrint2) to support a submission of Corbett and 13-124 reefs as an Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA), specifically for grey reef sharks. BRUVS were deployed for 60 min in 2-40 m depth. Data was provided for ISRA reveiw and fact sheet. Data sourced were funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network