AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Macquarie Harbour dissolved oxygen and temperature monitoring data from HOBO loggers (2017-2018)

Sustainable finfish aquaculture is dependent on a benthic environment that can assimilate and process farm particulate wastes. In Macquarie Harbour, bottom and mid water Dissolved Oxygen levels have reached very low levels, which is associated with an increase in the presence of bacterial mats and a significant decline in the abundance and diversity of benthic fauna. Dissolved Oxygen levels are a major determinant of the response of benthic communities in the harbour over timescales of months to years.

This dataset consist of dissolved oxygen (DO) and temperature data collected using HOBO Dissolved Oxygen loggers (U26-001) deployed at two locations in Macquarie Harbour, Tasmania under FRDC project 2016-067.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Condition of rocky reef communities around Tasmania: a key marine habitat

The data is quantitative abundance of fish, megafaunal invertebrates and percent algal cover derived from underwater visual census methods involving transect counts at rocky reef sites around Tasmania. This dataset allows examination of changes in Tasmanian shallow reef faunal and floral communities over a decadal scale, with initial surveys conducted in 1992-1995, and again in 2006-2007. There are plans for ongoing surveys.

An additional component was added in the latter study - a boat ramp study looking at the proximity of boat ramps and their effects of fishing. We analysed underwater visual census data on fishes and macroinvertebrates (abalone and rock lobsters) at 133 shallow rocky reef sites around Tasmania that ranged from 0.6 - 131 km from the nearest boat ramp. These sites were not all the same as those used for the comparison of 1994 and 2006 reef communities. The subset of 133 sites examined in this component consisted of only those sites that were characterized by the two major algal (kelp) types (laminarian or fucoid dominated). Sites with atypical algal assemblages were omitted from the 196 sites surveyed in 2006. 

This study aimed to examine reef community data for changes at the community level, changes in species richness and introduced species populations, and changes that may have resulted from ocean warming and fishing.

The methods are described in detail in Edgar and Barrett (1997). Primarily the data are derived from transects at 5 m depth and/or 10 m depth at each site surveyed. The underwater visual census (UVC) methodology used to survey rocky reef communities was designed to maximise detection of (i) changes in population numbers and size-structure (ii) cascading ecosystem effects associated with disturbances such as fishing, (iii) long term change and variability in reef  assemblages.

Tags: Temperate Reef
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Multi-decadal coverage of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) in Tasmania derived from satellite imagery

Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) forests are a foundational habitat that dominates many nearshore rocky coastlines in temperate and cold-water regions worldwide. Macrocystis forests can extend as much as 40 m to the surface and form closed canopies that alter the light, current, and sedimentation environment beneath them. They play an ecosystem-structuring function and provide habitat for a diverse range of fish and invertebrate species.

The coastal waters of Tasmania represent the most extensive giant kelp habitat in Australia. Dense forests have historically covered large areas of the nearshore reef habitat, but significant declines have been recorded in eastern Tasmania in recent decades. These losses are thought to be linked to environmental stressors such as extended periods of high water movement, warming sea temperatures, and nutrient depletion. Eastern Tasmania has experienced some of the most pronounced declines, leading to the 2012 listing of the giant kelp community as an ‘endangered marine community type’ under Australia’s Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

This dataset uses Landsat satellite imagery to quantifiy the spatial extent and temporal variability of giant kelp surface canopies along the Tasmanian coastline to address gaps in long-term monitoring. The data collection is divided into two components:

1) A statewide analysis that maps the extent of Macrocystis pyrifera canopies across the whole Tasmanian coastline, grouped into nine three-year bins spanning 1987–2015. This long-term dataset is intended for assessing long-term (decadal) changes at a broad spatial scale.

2) A higher temporal-resolution analysis of 24 specific sites along the Tasmanian coastline. This dataset includes canopy coverage from all cloud-free Landsat imagery captured over the period 1986-2015 to enable detailed analysis of seasonal and interannual fluctuations in kelp canopy extent and understand localised population dynamics.

Tags: Climate change, Landsat, Macrocystis pyrifera, Population dynamics, Range contraction, Remote sensing
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Predicted future changes in the distribution of Antarctic seafloor biodiversity

This project used marine benthic imagery and fine-scale oceanographic data to refine existing models of the contemporary circumpolar distribution of Antarctic benthic biodiversity, and used oceanographic models developed in the ACEAS program to generate spatial predictions of the distribution of various aspects on benthic biodiversity and blue carbon under future climate scenarios.

<strong><em>Access to data is currently embargoed, to be made available ~June 2026</em></strong>

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Predator's pick: Lobster predation on urchins - data from experimental investigation

This data is from experiments conducted at IMAS Taroona laboratories on predation of urchins by the Southern Rock Lobster. Four experiment types were conducted, including live urchins, urchin roe and trimmed urchins.

This data directly supports the publication https://doi.org/10.1071/MF23140

Tags: Centrostephanus rodgersii, Heliocidaris erythrogramma, Jasus edwardsii
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Condition of rocky reef communities around Tasmania: invertebrate surveys

The data is the quantitative abundance of megafaunal invertebrates derived from underwater visual census methods involving transect counts at rocky reef sites around Tasmania. This data forms part of a larger dataset that also surveyed fish abundance and algal cover for the area. The aggregated dataset allows examination of changes in Tasmanian shallow reef floral and faunal communities over a decadal scale - initial surveys were conducted in 1992-1995, and again at the same sites in 2006-2007. There are plans for ongoing surveys.

An additional component was added in the latter study - a boat ramp study looking at the proximity of boat ramps and their effects of fishing. We analysed underwater visual census data on fishes and macroinvertebrates (abalone and rock lobsters) at 133 shallow rocky reef sites around Tasmania that ranged from 0.6 - 131 km from the nearest boat ramp. These sites were not all the same as those used for the comparison of 1994 and 2006 reef communities. The subset of 133 sites examined in this component consisted of only those sites that were characterized by the two major algal (kelp) types (laminarian or fucoid dominated). Sites with atypical algal assemblages were omitted from the 196 sites surveyed in 2006. 

This study aimed to examine reef community data for changes at the community level, changes in species richness and introduced species populations, and changes that may have resulted from ocean warming and fishing.

The methods are described in detail in Edgar and Barrett (1997). Primarily the data are derived from transects at 5 m depth and/or 10 m depth at each site surveyed. The underwater visual census (UVC) methodology used to survey rocky reef communities was designed to maximise detection of (i) changes in population numbers and size-structure (ii) cascading ecosystem effects associated with disturbances such as fishing, (iii) long term change and variability in reef  assemblages.

Tags: Temperate Reef
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
d18O profile for calcification depth estimate

δ18Oara profile for shelled pteropod calcification depth estimate based on seawater salinity and temperature measured by Argo floats. The oxygen isotopic composition of pteropod shells (δ18Optero) was compared to the δ18Oara at different depths. The calcification depth is defined as the depth where the values of δ18Optero and δ18Oara were equal within their respective uncertainties.

Shelled pteropods are at risk from ocean acidification, with known effects on their shell durability and calcification. Pteropods typically form their aragonitic shells over specific depth ranges known as the ‘calcification depth’, which varies depending on species and habitats. Some Southern Ocean waters are already undersaturated with respect to aragonite and this could negatively affect shelled pteropods. However, the calcification depths of the pteropods have not been determined nor used to infer consequences of changing seawater carbonate chemistry in the Southern Ocean. In this study, we analysed the stable oxygen isotopic composition of Limacina rangii shells, collected by sediment traps in the subantarctic zone, to estimate their calcification depth. Shallow calcification depths (13-126 m) were detected in summer-autumn, while L. rangii calcified their shells deeper in the water column during winter-spring, with an average maximum calcification depth of 525 m. Recent shoaling of the aragonite saturation horizon is likely to negatively affect pteropods that calcify their shells in deep water. Such shoaling is likely to reduce shell formation and threaten population viability.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Elephant seal foraging success and dive behaviour

This metadata record supports the following paper (abstract below): 

Green, D.B., Bestley, S., McMahon, C.R., Lea, M.A., Harcourt, R.G., Guinet, C. and Hindell, M.A., 2025. Elephant seal dive behaviour responds consistently to changes in foraging success regardless of sex or ocean habitat. PeerJ, 13, p.e20378. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20378

This metadata record links to a Figshare repository that includes the analysis dataset along with workflows (and a readme) for creating it, running the analyses within the paper, and reproducing the figures.

A complete record of the seal tracking data supporting this study can be found on the IMOS AODN data portal, along with additional data on depth, temperature and salinity collecetd by the seal tags. This can be accessed through the following URL: https://portal.aodn.org.au/search, and selecting the side tabs: "Biological platforms" --&gt; "land-sea mammals"  

Paper Abstract
Understanding how air-breathing diving animals moderate their dive behaviour when foraging successfully is foundational in the study of their foraging ecology. Yet, this fundamental relationship remains unresolved with previous research pointing to inconsistent relationships, differing nominally according to sex, habitat type and scale. Empirically testing the relationships between dive effort responses and foraging success is further hampered because of challenges obtaining concurrent measures of behavioural responses and foraging success at sea. We compiled a multi-decadal dive dataset from 609 southern elephant seals, including their dive responses (transit rate, and relative dive and surface recovery duration) and buoyancy – changes in which provide an indirect measure of body condition change and foraging success. Using this dataset, we tested how seal dive behaviour alters when foraging remotely at sea. We found that as foraging success increased, seals increased transit (ascent, descent) rates and decreased relative dive durations for a given depth, with no response in surface recovery. Our results were consistent across sexes and foraging habitats, and account for the general effects of buoyancy on dive behaviour. The homogeneity of these findings suggests that there is a general functional response in which elephant seals perform, on average, shorter, steeper dives during periods of successful foraging. Importantly, we can align these results with predictions from the marginal value theorem (MVT), that a forager should remain in a patch only until gains drop below the neighbourhood mean. Our findings have broad-based implications for how ecologists interpret dive responses of wild marine animals, demonstrating the value of seeking independent in situ information on foraging success.

Tags: Phocidae, Pinnipedia, Southern Ocean, biotelemtry, ecosystem changes, ecosystem dynamics, foraging behaviour, phocid, seals
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Qualitative network model outputs and code: HIMI Patagonian toothfish fishery, stock and ecosystem responses to change

This dataset contains the supplementary data and code accompanying the publication:  Ward, D., Hill, N., Melbourne-Thomas, J., Welsford, D., Arangio, R., McNeill, M., Wotherspoon, S., Ziegler, P., Corney, S. (2025) Exploring mechanisms of change in a Southern Ocean fishery with a co-produced network model, ICES Journal of Marine Science. 

The study aimed to elucidate likely responses of the system to change, and mechanisms by which environmental, ecological or fishery behavioural changes could affect catch rates and toothfish stocks in the Heard and McDonald Islands (HIMI) fishing area. 

In the study, we co-developed a set of 128 qualitative network models of the Heard and McDonald Islands (HIMI) Patagonian toothfish fishery–stock–ecosystem interactions system with knowledge holders from industry and science. These different model versions capture different possible configurations of interactions for which the sign of the effects (positive or negative) are unknown. For each model versions, we simulated 10,000 quantitative instances of the qualitative model. We analysed these model outputs to understand 1) mean qualitative responses of system components (nodes) in 8 test scenarios (press increases in environmental, fishery, or ecosystem nodes); 2) how ‘unknown’ effect signs affected qualitative responses of key nodes to change; and 3) relationships between responses and the strength of effects originating from nodes being perturbed. Please refer to Ward et al. (2025) for more detailed description of the methodology and findings, and the README file for description of data and code contained in this repository.

Tags: Dissostichus eleginoides, Patagonian toothfish, QPress, fisheries-ecosystem interactions, participatory modelling, qualitative network modelling, sustainable fisheries
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Data appendices for: Kerguelen Plateau: Interplay between a mantle plume, microcontinents and ocean spreading ridges

This record includes datasets pertaining to the appendix of Jeremy Asimus' thesis. This includes:
Appendix A: Unpublished major, trace element and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotope analyses from volcanic and continental rocks dredged at Gulden Draak Rise, Batavia Rise, Dirk Hartog Ridge and the Naturaliste Plateau within the Perth Abyssal Plain. These rocks were collected by the Southern Surveyor (SS2011_V06 voyage and SS2005_V09). 
Appendix B: Unpublished monazite U-Pb geochronology results from a metapelite (D03_002) at Rig Seismic Seamount. This metapelite was collected by the RV Investigator.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Condition of rocky reef communities around Tasmania: fish surveys

The data is the quantitative abundance of fish derived from underwater visual census methods involving transect counts at rocky reef sites around Tasmania. This data forms part of a larger dataset that also surveyed megafaunal invertebrate abundance and algal cover for the area. The aggregated dataset allows examination of changes in Tasmanian shallow reef floral and faunal communities over a decadal scale - initial surveys were conducted in 1992-1995, and again at the same sites in 2006-2007. There are plans for ongoing surveys.

An additional component was added in the latter study - a boat ramp study looking at the proximity of boat ramps and their effects of fishing. We analysed underwater visual census data on fishes and macroinvertebrates (abalone and rock lobsters) at 133 shallow rocky reef sites around Tasmania that ranged from 0.6 - 131 km from the nearest boat ramp. These sites were not all the same as those used for the comparison of 1994 and 2006 reef communities. The subset of 133 sites examined in this component consisted of only those sites that were characterized by the two major algal (kelp) types (laminarian or fucoid dominated). Sites with atypical algal assemblages were omitted from the 196 sites surveyed in 2006. 

This study aimed to examine reef community data for changes at the community level, changes in species richness and introduced species populations, and changes that may have resulted from ocean warming and fishing.

The methods are described in detail in Edgar and Barrett (1997). Primarily the data are derived from transects at 5 m depth and/or 10 m depth at each site surveyed. The underwater visual census (UVC) methodology used to survey rocky reef communities was designed to maximise detection of (i) changes in population numbers and size-structure (ii) cascading ecosystem effects associated with disturbances such as fishing, (iii) long term change and variability in reef  assemblages.

Tags: TASMANIA, Temperate Reef
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
IMOS - Ships of Opportunity - Sea Surface Temperature Data collected on the Merchant Vessel Highland Chief

This dataset contains Sea Surface Temperature (SST) underway observations collected on trips of a merchant vessel (MV Highland Chief - VROB) between south-east of Australia (Melbourne) and Papua New Guinea, including New Zealand, New Caledonia and Solomon Islands.

The data have been quality controlled by the Bureau of Meteorology.

The Ships of Opportunity (formerly known as Enhancement of Measurements on Ships of Opportunity (SOOP)) - Sea Surface Temperature (SST) Sub-Facility aims to supply near real-time  SST data (within 24 hours) from ships of opportunity and research vessels in the Australian region.

Tags: Atmosphere | Atmospheric Pressure | Atmospheric Pressure, Atmosphere | Atmospheric Temperature | Air Temperature, Atmosphere | Atmospheric Water Vapor | Dew Point, Coastal Cities / Towns (Australia) | Melbourne, VIC, Countries | New Caledonia, Countries | New Zealand, Countries | Papua New Guinea, Countries | Solomon Islands, Global / Oceans | Pacific Ocean, Oceans | Ocean Temperature | Sea Surface Temperature, Oceans | Ocean Winds | Surface Winds, Regional Seas | Solomon Sea, Regional Seas | Tasman Sea, States, Territories (Australia) | Victoria, air_pressure, air_temperature, latitude, longitude, platform_speed_wrt_ground, sea_surface_temperature, wind_from_direction, wind_speed
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Healthcheck Sustainability Indicator Reporting for Australian Fisheries

Verification of fisheries sustainability credentials is essential to increase consumer confidence, market access and community benefit. Sector performance currently centres on monitoring fish stocks and economic performance. However, markets and stakeholder organisations increasingly require traceable evidence of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) indicators such as provenance, safety, diversity, animal welfare, carbon, biodiversity to inform decisions. To meet this need, this project activates CSIROs Healthcheck ESG Fisheries data system by engaging industry and Indigenous leaders, management agencies and researchers to identify targeted indicators, collect data, prioritise data gaps to enable more comprehensive ESG reporting.

The reporting system is designed to collect and report data which is ready for ingestion into existing catalogues and exchanges (e.g., Ag Food data Exchange). Data is compatible and interoperable for publishing to recognised sustainability framework reporting (e.g. Status of Australian Fish Stocks, Marine Stewardship Certification, National Fisheries Plan, UN SDGs, Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosure, Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework, Agricultural Innovation Australia (AIA) Environmental Accounting Platform), and ready for supplying relevant indicators and data for Australia’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Sustainability Framework development.

We demonstrate the capability of this sustainability data reporting system with selected fisheries. New indicators address climate impacts and adaptation responses, food safety systems, modern slavery protections, sector-led initiatives to improve ESG outcomes, Indigenous sector participation and economic development, among others. Using and building new digital and LLM (large language model) technologies to identify, screen and verify data sources, the sustainability reporting data system reflects global standards in traceability of data itself. Data provenance pipelines provide a pathway for repeatable, routine data extraction and reporting, and increase data accessibility for the Australian fisheries sector. Construction of these pipelines has highlighted critical gaps to address and what actions to take to overcome remaining limitations on data accessibility and shareability for key ESG reporting areas.

Tags: Ecological, External Factors, Fisheries, Governance, Retained species, Social
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Data and code for: Decadal change in seabird-driven isotopes on islands with differing invasion histories

Invasive mammal eradications are commonplace in island conservation. However, post-eradication monitoring beyond the confirmation of target species removal is rarer. Seabirds are ecosystem engineers on islands and are negatively affected by invasive mammals. Following an invasive mammal eradication, the recovery of seabird populations can be necessary for wider ecosystem recovery. Seabirds fertilise islands with isotopically heavy nitrogen, which means nitrogen stable isotope analysis (δ15N) could provide a useful means for assessing corresponding change in ecosystem function. We quantified decadal changes in δ15N on eight temperate New Zealand islands subject in pairs to distinct mammal invasion and seabird restoration histories: invaded, never-invaded, invader-eradicated and undergoing active seabird restoration. First, we investigated long-term changes in δ15N values on individual islands. Second, we used a space for time analysis to determine if δ15N levels on islands from which invaders had been removed eventually recovered to values typical of never-invaded islands. On each island soil, plants (Coprosma repens, C. robust and Myrsine australis) and spiders (Porrhothelidae) were sampled in 2006/07 and 2022 allowing δ15N change on individual islands over 16 years to be assessed. Combined, the samples from invader-eradicated islands provided a 7 – 32 year post-eradication dataset. Change in δ15N was only detected on one island across the study period, following the unexpected recolonisation of seabirds to an invaded island. Invader-eradicated islands generally had higher δ15N values than invaded islands however, they were still lower than never-invaded islands and there was no trend in δ15N with time since eradication. This, and the measurable increase in δ15N following seabird recolonisation on one island, may suggest that δ15N change occurs rapidly following invader-eradication, but then slows, with δ15N values staying relatively constant in the time period studied here. Isotope and seabird population studies need to be coupled to ascertain if plateauing in δ15N reflects a slowing of seabird population growth and subsequent basal nutrient input, or if the baseline nutrients are entering the ecosystem but then not propagating up the food web.

Tags: Marlborough Sounds, seabirds
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network