AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
High-resolution depth model for Northern Australia - 30 m

This dataset contains bathymetry (depth) products from the compilation of all available source bathymetry data within Northern Australia into a 30 m-resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The Northern Australia region includes a broad continental shelf over 400 km wide extending out from Western Australia and the Northern Territory, and stretching over a distance of ~1500 km. This region encompasses numerous shallow coral reefs including the offshore Sahul Banks, sand cays, drowned ancient river valleys, broad inner-shelf banks and a rugged coastline. Bathymetry mapping of the seafloor is vital for the protection of Northern Australia, allowing for the safe navigation of shipping and improved environmental management. Shallow- and deep-water multibeam surveys have revealed the highly complex seafloor of the continental shelf and adjacent slope canyons draining into the Indian Ocean and Timor Sea. Airborne LiDAR bathymetry acquired by the Australian Hydrographic Office cover most of the Sahul Banks reefs, with some coverage gaps supplemented by satellite derived bathymetry. The Geoscience Australia-developed Intertidal Elevation Model DEM improves the source data gap along Northern Australia’s vast intertidal zone. All source bathymetry data were extensively edited as point clouds to remove noise, given a consistent WGS84 horizontal datum, and where possible, an approximate MSL vertical datum.
https://ecat.ga.gov.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search?node=srv#/metadata/1010ac13-e033-489d-b9ce-ae11fd0e11ef

Tags: 040503 - Physical Oceanography
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Coastal Lake Assessment and Management Tool (CLAM): Lake Cakora, Clarence Valley Council

The Coastal Lake Assessment and Management (CLAM) tool allows stakeholders to assess the social, economic and environmental trade-offs associated with development, remediation and use options for coastal lakes and estuaries. Researchers at the Australian National University (ANU) developed CLAM in 2004 when contracted by the NSW State Government to provide sustainability assessments of 8 coastal lakes. Several projects have since been established directly with local government and NRM groups.
To date, 27 CLAMs have been developed in New South Wales, where they generally fit within estuary management or catchment management plans. To develop these CLAMs and build local capacity to maintain them, ANU-Enterprise Pty Ltd - the commercial company of ANU developed an Accreditation Scheme whereby local consultants are trained in the CLAM approach.

Tags: Agriculture | Agricultural Aquatic Sciences | Aquaculture, Agriculture | Agricultural Aquatic Sciences | Fisheries, Agriculture | Agricultural Plant Science | Reclamation/revegetation/restoration, Agriculture | Forest Science | Forest Fire Science, Agriculture | Forest Science | Reforestation, Biosphere | Aquatic Habitat | Coastal Habitat, Biosphere | Aquatic Habitat | Estuarine Habitat, Biosphere | Aquatic Habitat | Lakes, Biosphere | Aquatic Habitat | Rivers/stream Habitat, Biosphere | Aquatic Habitat | Saline Lakes, Biosphere | Terrestrial Ecosystems | Agricultural Lands, Biosphere | Terrestrial Ecosystems | Wetlands, Biosphere | Wetlands | Estuarine Wetlands, Biosphere | Wetlands | Riparian Wetlands, Human Dimensions | Economic Resources | Agricultural Economics, Human Dimensions | Environmental Impacts | Eutrophication, Human Dimensions | Environmental Impacts | Reclamation/revegetation/restoration, Human Dimensions | Environmental Impacts | Sewage, Human Dimensions | Environmental Impacts | Urbanization, Human Dimensions | Environmental Impacts | Water Management, Human Dimensions | Land Use/land Cover | Land Management, Hydrosphere | Surface Water | Lakes, Hydrosphere | Surface Water | Rivers/streams, Hydrosphere | Water Quality | Nutrients, Lake Cakora, Land Surface | Erosion/sedimentation | Suspended Solids, Land Surface | Landscape | Landscape Management, Oceans | Coastal Processes | Estuaries, Oceans | Coastal Processes | Lagoons, Oceans | Coastal Processes | Mangroves, Oceans | Coastal Processes | Sea Level Rise, Oceans | Coastal Processes | Shorelines
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
The influence of leaf-burying crabs on energy flow and export from mangrove forests at Hinchinbrook Island and Chunda Bay, north Queensland

Comparisons of leaf turnover by crabs (Sesarma messa) and microbes were carried out at Chunda Bay. Yellowing leaves of Rhizophora stylosa, which were about to fall, were collected. Ten leaves were retained, dried, weighed individually, ashed at 500°C for 24 hours and reweighed to calculate a conversion factor from fresh weight to ash-free dry weight (AFDW). Groups of four leaves were weighed and placed in nylon bags with a 2 mm² mesh size. Single leaves were weighed and 1m lengths of nylon twine were attached to the petiole.Bags (restricting access to leaves by crabs) and individual leaves (allowing access by crabs) were tied to the forest floor within the low intertidal region of a Rhizophora forest at two sites, 100m apart. At intervals of 2 and 6 weeks, three replicates of each treatment were removed from each site. Leaves were cleaned of sediment, dried, weighed and ashed.Measurements of removal of leaves by crabs and leaf litter fall were made on five occasions between April 1985 and January 1986 at Coral Creek in Missionary Bay, Hinchinbrook Island. On each occasion, leaf removal experiments were conducted during both day and night low tide periods. Six 25 m² plots were marked out in the low to mid-intertidal zone of the mixed Rhizophora forest. Sixteen litter catchers were deployed randomly around the experimental plots on each sampling occasion. All litter was removed after 7 days, dried at 100°C for 3 days, sorted into components and weighed.Yellowing leaves of Rhizophora spp. were collected and the area of each leaf measured with a Lambda Area Meter. A 1m length of nylon twine was tied to each petiole. At the beginning of each low tide period, all leaves on the surface of each plot were removed and then a number of the measured leaves were tethered within each plot. All tethered leaves were retrieved after 6 hours and a record was made of whether the leaf had been taken down a crab hole. Additional leaves falling into each plot were also collected. The surface area of each tethered leaf was measured and the loss of leaf area converted to dry weight loss using a pre-established relationship between surface area and dry weight. The area of leaf lost to crabs was visually estimated for the additional leaves falling into each plot.In January 1986, modified leaf removal experiments were carried out in other areas of mixed Rhizophora forest at an additional site at Coral Creek as well as Priest Creek and First Creek in Missionary Bay.
 This research was conducted to collect quantitative measurements of the rates of mangrove leaf burial and consumption by crabs. This is an additional pathway of leaf litter processing that should be included to mangrove food chain models.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
WAMSI Node 5.4 - (PhD) Quorum quenching compounds from marine bacteria

Antibiotic resistance is of enormous concern in disease control and is one of the factors driving the search for new strategies for controlling bacterial growth. Quorum sensing (QS) is a bacterial communication process that allows control of gene expression in relation to cell density.  Bacterial activities under QS control include the production of pigments and toxins, bioluminescence, swarming motility and biofilm formation.  Quorum quenching (QQ) compounds inhibit the QS process, with the potential to control detrimental bacterial activities.  QQ compounds have been isolated from several plants, algae, fungi and several bacteria.  The aim of the project was to isolate and characterise QQ compounds from marine bacteria and investigating the mechanism by which the compound interferes with quorum sensing.
Objectives of project were:
(i) to purify and identify quorum quenching compounds (QQCs) from marine invertebrates and bacteria; 
(ii)    to assess the diversity of quorum quenching effects and mechanisms of action amongst QQCs.
(iii)   to investigate ecological aspects of the formation and activity of QQCs
(iv)    to assess potential applications of QQCs.

Tags: Antibiotic Resistance, Biosphere | Microbiota | Bacteria
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Merchant Vessel Fantasea Wonder (Whitsundays Ferry) a platform of the IMOS SOOP-Sea Surface Temperature sub-facility

The Merchant Vessel Fantasea Wonder is a platform of the Enhancement of Measurements on Ships of Opportunity (SOOP) - Sea Surface Temperature sub-facility. It collects underway sea surface temperature (SST) during its everyday trips between Shute Harbour and Hardy Reef. Data available from the vessel are skin and bulk SST from two types of sensors.
The MV Fantasea Wonder is a tourist ferry that operates in Whitsundays region. It is a 29 m, 382t, aluminium catamaran. The call sign is VJQ7467.
Bulk SST is processed from Analog Devices AD590, calibrated temperature sensor located in the intake strainer, ~200 mm from the inner side of right hull, at 1.4 m depth.
Skin SSTs are obtained from Everest Interscience 4000.4ZL calibrated radiometer. The instrument is starboard located at 6.7 m height to minimise influence of sea splashes and sprays.
Observed data are retrieved from the vessel once a day around 6pm and quality controlled at the Bureau of Meteorology. A daily file of 1-minute averages of the observations is generated around 0900 UTC and provided to eMII.

Tags: IMOS Platform | VJQ7467 | Fantasea Wonder, Marine Features (Australia) | Great Barrier Reef, QLD, Oceans | Ocean Temperature | Sea Surface Temperature, Regional Seas | Coral Sea
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Redmap (Queensland) - Sightings of Bony Fish 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
Fatty acids as biological markers for bacterial symbionts in sponges from the Great Barrier Reef

Samples were taken from three phototrophic, cyanobacteria containing sponge species (Dysidea herbacea, Phyllospongia papyracea and Pseudaxinyssa sp) and two nonphototrophic sponge species (Phakellia aruensis and Rhopaloeides odorabile) at Davies Reef.Lipids were extracted and a subsample saponified. The resultant fatty acids were converted to methyl esters, which were analysed on both apolar and polar capillary columns. Structures were confirmed by chromatographic comparisons with authentic standards, by comparison of equivalent chain lengths for the methyl esters with those of secondary standards and by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectometry (GC-MS).Pseudaxinyssa sp. was collected from Rib Reef and the sponge was separated into surface tissue, to a depth of 0.5 mm (including exopinacoderm and a distinct reddish-brown band of cyanobacteria) and interior tissues. Each portion was lyophilized prior to extraction and the isolated phospholipids were converted to methyl esters, which were analysed using gas chromatography. Electron microscopy was used to confirm the large volume of cyanobacteria within the surface tissue fraction and the almost complete absence of cyanobacteria within the interior tissue fraction.The contributions of symbiotic bacteria were determined on the basis that fatty acids extracted from sponge tissue originated in either the cell membranes of the sponge, or nonphototrophic bacteria or cyanobacteria. The minimum abundance of any specific acid in a suite of sponge samples was used as an estimate of the sponge contribution of that acid in other sponges.
 This study was initiated to estimate the cyanobacterial and nonphototrophic bacterial abundance in sponges using a bacterial biological marker technique based on fatty acid content.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
2016 SoE Marine Chapter - State and Trends - Dolphins and porpoises

The Marine chapter of the 2016 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "The state and trends of quality of species and groups – dolphins and porpoises". The full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided), is attached to this record. Where available, the Data Stream(s) used to generate this Expert Assessment are accessible through the "On-line Resources" section of this record.

DESCRIPTION OF TAXONOMIC GROUP FOR EXPERT ASSESSMENT
Following taxonomic standards, 20 dolphin species in the Family Delphinidae and one species in the Family Phocoenidae occur in Australian waters. A number of these species (e.g. common bottlenose dolphins) are distributed nationally, others are restricted to particular latitudes (e.g. dusky dolphin) and others consist of populations that are highly restricted to embayments and tributaries within particular regions (e.g. the endemic snub-fin dolphin). 
DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT
This assessment is based on peer-review papers and reports provided by a series of researchers working on dolphin and porpoises in Australia. Data on state and trends and associated spatial and temporal coverage are detailed in the publications provided in the reference list. Specific data products used to generate the assessment are not listed.

2016 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details]
• 2016 •
Assessment grade: Good
Assessment trend: Unclear
Confidence grade: Limited evidence or limited consensus
Confidence trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus
Comparability: Grade and trend are somewhat comparable to the 2011 assessment
• 2011 •
Assessment grade: Good
Assessment trend: Stable
Confidence grade: Limited evidence or limited consensus
Confidence trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus

CHANGES SINCE 2011 SOE ASSESSMENT
The 2016 assessment is similar to the 2011 assessment. With very little information on most species abundances and no long-term monitoring of populations with which clear trends could be determined it was considered appropriate to alter the trend assignment to ‘unclear’ rather than ‘stable’.

Tags: dolphins, expert assessment, population status, porpoises
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Impacts of the Northern Pacific Seastar (Asterias amurensis) and European green crab (Carcinus maenas) on soft sediment assemblages in south east Tasmania

This study compared the individual and combined effects of two introduced marine species in SE Tasmania - the northern Pacific seastar (Asterias amurensis) and the European green crab (Carcinus maenas) - and investigated their impact on native invertebrate fauna using in situ caging experiments.
Both species predate upon bivalves, and this study assessed the biological interaction between these introduced species and native bivalve species - allowing the impact of multiple exotic predator species to be investigated in one system.
The cage experiments have 5 treatment groups, including all combinations of presence (single animal) and absence of seastars and crabs, and a control with neither. Predator activity (number and type of bivalves consumed) was recorded after 8 weeks by suction-sampling each cage and counting and identifying fauna.

Tags: 25 154001, 28 911009, Asterias amurensis, Carcinus maenas, Shell length, Temperate Reef
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
NT Waterbird Colonies Groups

Quantitative ground and aerial surveys of shorebirds, and significant breeding colonies  for the Top End of the Northern Territory (NT), sourced from the Parks and Wildlife Service of the Northern Territory (PWSNT).  At time of collating this report, some gaps were apparent in the data provided. Data exist  from 1990-1999, but records from 2000-2003 are missing.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Salinity tolerance, burrowing behaviour and pedicle regeneration in the brachiopod, Lingula anatina from north Queensland

Lingula anatina were collected from the intertidal sand flat at Shelly Beach, near Townsville and transported to the laboratory at the Australian Institute of Marine Science in 1972.After acclimation for 7 days in normal seawater, 20 Lingula anatina were placed in each of 8 aquaria, which contained seawater at salinities of 50.0, 36.5, 25.5, 20.6, 16.0, 11.5, 5.0 and 0 ppt respectively. The aquaria were maintained at a temperature 23±1°C. The viability (rapid "snap" reflex of valves) of the animals was monitored for 35 days and the time of loss of viability and time of death were recorded. Animals surviving after 35 days were returned to normal seawater and observed for a further 7 days.Burrowing experiments were conducted using 10 intact animals and 10 without pedicles. Animals were placed in aquaria with circulating seawater and buried at depths of 5, 10 and 20 cm in sand from Shelly Beach. The number of animals reaching the surface was recorded at 12 hour intervals or less for 5 days. Groups of animals with and without pedicles were also placed on the surface of sand from Shelly Beach in either stationary or slowly oscillating trays and burrowing monitored for 5 days.Ten animals, which had cast off their pedicles during transport to the laboratory were placed in each of 4 aquaria containing seawater at salinities of 36.5, 30, 20, and 10 ppt respectively and maintained at a temperature 25±1°C. Pedicle regeneration was observed for 14 days and then observed for a further 14 days after transferring the animals to normal seawater. To simulate more natural conditions, a further 10 animals without pedicles were buried under 10 cm of sand in an aquarium with circulating seawater. After 14 days the animals were removed form the sediment and the pedicles measured.
 This research was undertaken to investigate salinity tolerance, burrowing behaviour and pedicle regeneration in the infaunal brachiopod, Lingula anatina. The results were used to determine the possible effects that movement of substratum and reduced salinity, resulting from severe storms and cyclones may have on the survival of Lingula anatina populations.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Developing an effective marine eDNA monitoring: eDNA detection at pre-outbreak densities of corallivorous seastar (Acanthaster cf. solaris)

This study aimed to understand if physical environmental variables in¿uence eDNA measurements evaluating three key variables associated with reef ¿ushing, tidal exchange and sea temperature, and their impact to improve prediction of eDNA concentration.
Water samples for eDNA analysis were collected from four mid-shelf reefs in the Central section of the GBR and from one reef in the Northern section of the GBR. Samples were collected over three consecutive years from 2018 &ndash; 2020. Reefs locations were:
Lizard Island

Lodestone Reef

Davies Reef

Elizabeth Reef

Sample collections occurred two to three times per site over a few days.
Underwater transect (50 m &times; 4 m ) surveys were conducted once per trip between 3 &ndash; 6 transects. Underwater surveys were complemented with 30 2-minute manta tows in 2018 (Elizabeth Reef). Long Term Monitoring data were collected for Lizard Island Reefs, with between 80 and 90 transects conducted in years 2017, 2018 and 2021. Scooter-assisted large area diver-based visual surveys at Lizard Island were conducted at Lizard Island in 2019 and 2020.
DNA extraction was prepared for water sample analysis, using digital droplet PCR analysis (ddPCR).
eReefs RECOM was used to extract values of water residence age (age of water over reefs), temperature and tide level (sea surface elevation) for each site at each sampling time.
Statistical analyses were conducted using generalized linear mixed models to test for the effects of eReefs derived parameters (water residence age, surface elevation and temperature) and CoTS density at the site x visit level on the number of CoTS eDNA copies per lL of water.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Determining the ecological health of estuaries in North-Western Tasmania: Duck Bay

This study considered a range of water-column and sediment (benthos) based variables commonly used to monitor estuaries,utilising estuaries on the North-West Coast of Tasmania (Duck, Montagu, Detention, and Black River). These included: salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, nutrient and chlorophyll a levels for the water-column; and sediment redox, organic carbon content, chlorophyll a and macroinvertebrate community structure amongst the benthos. In addition to comparing reference with impacted estuaries, comparisons were also made across seasons, commensurate with seasonal changes in freshwater river input, and between regions within estuaries (upper and lower reaches) - previously identified in Hirst et al. (2005). This design enabled us to examine whether the detection of impacts (i.e. differences between reference and impacted systems) was contingent on the time and location of sampling or independent of these factors. The data represented by this record was collected in the Duck Bay.

Tags: Abundance - macroinvertebrates, Ammonium, Benthic macroinvertebrates, Chlorophyll a, Degradation, Dissolved oxygen, Human impact, Nitrate and Nitrite, Number of species - macroinvertebrates, Reactive phosphorus, Salinity, Sediment organic carbon, Temperate Reef, Temperature, Turbidity
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network