AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Modelling suspended sediment transport on Australias North West Shelf.

The distributions and movements of sediments on the North West Shelf have a major influence on the ecosystem, primarily through their effect on primary production and benthic habitat distributions. They are also highly relevant to human activities on the NWS, particularly construction and maintenance of offshore structures, dredging, and other coastal developments involving habitat modification. This study provides a general characterisation of the distributions of suspended and bottom sediments based on available data. These data confirm the existence of a high turbidity zone extending from the coastline to around the 20 m isobath. Bottom sediments also show a marked cross shelf zonation, with gravel and sand dominating the inner shelf, and finer sand, silts and clays dominating the less energetic outer shelf. A three dimensional sediment transport model was developed to estimate major resuspension, deposition, and suspended transport patterns over the NWS. The simulations covered the three years 1996, 1998, and 1999. They successfully reproduced the winnowing of fine sediments (i.e. very fine sand, silts and clays) in the relatively high-energy environment of the mid shelf, and their subsequent export onto the continental slope. The model also predicted a persistent strip of elevated suspended sediment concentrations along the inner shelf. Near surface suspended sediment concentrations in this zone typically increased by an order of magnitude from the neap to spring tide. Long-termed average sediment fluxes were directed southwest along the shelf and off the shelf. While there were significant uncertainties associated with these fluxes, the results suggested that sediment losses from the shelf exceeded the mean annual river loads by at least a factor of three over the simulation period. The model also predicted major sediment transport events during tropical cyclones. Modelled off shelf loads during Tropical Cyclone Bobby far exceeded both annual river loads and annual loads during non-cyclone conditions. These simulations also demonstrated how cyclone induced ocean eddies could capture large quantities of suspended sediments and carry them offshore to be deposited within highly localised patches in the deeper ocean. While there were various limitations in the model formulation, its predictions were broadly consistent with the limited available observations. It is suggested that further progress in sediment modelling on the NWS should be based on extended data sets for sediment processes, such as grain size distributions, flocculation, consolidation, and river loads, as well as improved wind and wave products, and inclusion of bedload transport.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Distribution and abundance of large invertebrate herbivores in south-western Australia, and their potential links to local and regional processes

A three-pronged approach was taken to quantify patterns of abundance and coexistance at small (centimetres) to very large (hundreds of kilometres) spatial scales.  This was through a 'spatio-temporal survey' (tested hypotheses about spatial and temporal variation in abundances along &lt; 40 km of coastline and over 26 months), 'large-scale survey' (tested hypotheses about spatial variation in a hierarchical design along &gt; 400 km of coastline) and 'nearest-neighbour study' (tested a hypothesis about the spatial segregation of individual sea urchins at several places on one reef).

Tags: 25 247001, Biosphere | Vegetation | Macroalgae, Biosphere | Zoology | Echinoderms, Heliocidaris erythrogramma (Valenciennes, 1846), Oceans | Marine Biology | Marine Habitat, Oceans | Marine Biology | Marine Invertebrates, Oceans | Marine Biology | Marine Plants
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
SLWA Commonwealth Games photographs

Photographs from the SLWA collection featuring the Commonwealth Games. Most if not all of the photographs are from the 1962 games held in Western Australia. Photographs include opening and closing ceremonies, athletes receiving medals and action shots from the event.
The datasets include links to the images

Tags: Beatty Park Aquatic Centre, Commonwealth Games, Perry Lakes Stadium, athletics, historical photographs, photographs, sports
Organization: State Library of Western Australia
WAMSI Kimberley hyper-spectral data - 19th September 2008

On the 19th 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). 
Flight lines are shown in thumbnail with further information available from contacts below.

Organization: Western Australian Marine Science Institution
WAMSI Node 6.1 - Offshore and coastal engineering and the effects of climate change - Summary

WAMSI Node 6.1 deals with the modelling of past and future sea level / storm surge and waves.
Western Australia is vulnerable to climate change impacts which may alter the prevailing wind conditions.  The altered wind fields will have a strong influence on the wind wave climate and in the generation of storm surges.  The combined effects of an altered wind wave climate and the magnitude and frequency of storm surges together with relative sea level rise would have important implications for coastal stability and vulnerability.  
In this project the output from the Woodside Energy North Australian Climate Change Study (NACCS) will be used to force wave, storm surge and sediment transport models to predict changes in beach stability under different climate change scenarios. 
A key facet of the project is development of a capacity to link science and management. This will be done through direct delivery of regional and sub-regional scenarios for climate change to Local and State Government agencies, in particular, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure for consideration in preparation of policy for coastal management in response to climate change.

Tags: Oceans | Marine Sediments | Sediment Transport, tides, surges, waves, sea level, extremes, coastal flooding, erosion
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis of asexual and sexual reproduction in Stichopus chloronotus in the Indian and Pacific Oceans

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis indicates the importance of both asexual and sexual reproduction in the fissiparous holothurian Stichopus chloronotus (Aspidochirotida) in the Indian and Pacific Ocean.Asexual reproduction in the fissiparous holothurian species Stichopus chloronotus from eight populations (total N=149) from Madagascar and the Great Barrier Reef was investigated using Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers.21 polymorphic markers (obtained by two primer combinations) were used resulted in 51 genotypes in the whole sample, with up to 20 individuals (nearly all within populations) having the same genotype.West-Pacific Ocean locations were at Great Palm Island and Rib Reef on the Great Barrier Reef and Cumberland and Derder Reefs in the Torres Strait. West Indian Ocean sites were at Trou d'eau, St. Leu and Etang Sale on La Reunion, and Nosy Komba in Madagascar.
 To test the hypotheses that:genetic diversity in this species is reduced in the West Indian Ocean; andsome populations rely nearly exclusively on asexual reproduction.To more precisely estimate of the importance of asexual reproduction for local populations of S. chloronotus using DNA markers.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
WAMSI Node 3.2.2 - Ecosystem Effects of fishing on Ningaloo Reef - Summary

The Ningaloo Marine Park (State Waters) Plan 1989 was designated A class in 1990. A review of the Management Plan began in 2000; this resulted in a revised Management Plan being approved by the Minister in January 2005. 
Changes in the current Management Plan include extending the Marine Park southwards to incorporate the full extent of the reef, increasing the number and extent of Sanctuary Zones, introducing Special Purpose Benthic Protection and shore-based line fishing zones. 
The purpose of this project is to provide what will become the first data point in a long-term data set.  These data will become an integral part of several sections of the NRP, including not only assessing the ecosystem effects of fishing, but also in terms of evaluating the effectiveness of zoning for biodiversity conservation, and for assessing the implications of zoning for fish populations and for fishing outside sanctuary zones.  The surveys will provide data not only for newly established zones, but also for those zones already established within the park under previous zoning provisions.  Where possible the survey will build on existing data sets, though these are limited in scope and spatial extent.
Objectives
- For fish taxa targeted by anglers (e.g. labridae, lethrinidae, lutjanidae, serranidae, carangidae), 
- Measure the distribution, abundance and size-structure of key fish populations at Ningaloo
- Provide data that will allow a quantitative comparison of these parameters to be made across Ningaloo Marine Park zones (pre-2005 sanctuary zones, new sanctuary zones, benthic protection zones, recreational zones and general use zones).
- Provide data that will form the basis for being able to:
Measure the rate and magnitude of any changes in fish population size or structure related to changes in marine park zoning
- Determine how responses of fish populations may vary with respect to factors such as size of reserve, type of reserve, distance from boundary and fish life-history
- Parameterize and test spatially-explicit models of fish populations.

Tags: Biosphere | Ecological Dynamics | Biomass, Biosphere | Ecological Dynamics | Community Structure, Biosphere | Ecological Dynamics | Herbivory, Biosphere | Ecological Dynamics | Predation, Biosphere | Ecological Dynamics | Trophic Dynamics, Biosphere | Zoology | Fish, Biosphere | Zoology | Invertebrates, Fishing Effects, Grazing, MPAs, Marine Reserves
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Genetic connectivity in three harvested fish species across the north-west tropics of Australia

The Bonaparte Fish Group (established and facilitated by ConocoPhillips) has identified the need to develop an understanding of the level of connectivity across the Joseph Bonaparte Basin. In particular, the importance of these areas for migration of commercially important fish species is critical in the context of potential effects of development in the area. Accordingly, this project will examine patterns of connectivity for key commercial fish species across parts of Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
This work will progress our understanding of the processes (in this case dispersal and connectivity) that shape the patterns of biodiversity across the NW Shelf, particularly the offshore banks and shoals. Outputs will be targeted as scientific publications to ensure scientific validity.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Mangrove forest productivity and biomass accumulation in Hinchinbrook Channel, north Queensland

In November 1996, three sites were selected along Hinchinbrook Channel, which represented the major forest types and environmental range within the channel. Six plots, each usually 400 m² were marked out at each site and all trees were tagged, identified to species level and the diameter at breast height (DBH) was measured. The biomass of each tree was estimated using previously established allometric relationships between DBH and biomass. The two year time span of this project was insufficient to reliably measure biomass accumulation within these plots. Estimates were obtained from permanent plots in Missionary Bay, which had a 5 year record. Below ground biomass accumulation was calculated using the relationship between above-ground and below-ground biomass derived for Rhizophora apiculata in Malaysia.The forest canopy was accessed from steel towers, up to 10m in height, constructed in three forest stands with different species compositions. From top to bottom, a 2x1 m section of the canopy was divided into horizontal layers of 0.5 m thickness. Within each layer, in two of the stands, (a mixed stand of Bruguiera gymnorhiza/Rhizophora stylosa and a mixed stand of Rhizophora apiculata/Rhizophora stylosa), the angle of each leaf was measured and leaves removed to measure area and dry weight. The measurements taken were used in the simulation of canopy light profiles. In all plots, indirect estimates of canopy leaf area index were obtained from measurements of light flux density with a quantum sensor.Photosynthetic rates were determined for Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Bruguiera parviflora, Ceriops australis, Ceriops tagal, Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora lamarkii, Rhizophora stylosa, Heritiera littoralis and Xylocarpus granatum. Rates were measured on leaves at their natural angle of inclination at different levels in the canopy using a portable photosynthesis system.
 This research was undertaken to estimate net canopy carbon fixation and carbon accumulation as living biomass in mangrove forests using data on stand structure and rates of photosynthesis.
 This study is a component of a broader investigation of carbon fixation and storage by mangrove ecosystems.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
WAMSI PhD Top-up - 3.9.3 - The policy relevance of Choice Modelling: an application to Ningaloo Marine Park

Choice Modelling (CM) is a valuation technique commonly applied to estimate dollar values for environmental assets. It has had limited impact with respect to its use in policy, despite its demonstrated advantages in quantifying existence values. Its slow uptake in guiding real-world decisions raises questions about its relevance for policy. 
This study provides some insight as to whether the technique is in fact useful to inform policy by investigating two key issues: 
(1) whether preferences diverge between the general public and expert scientist populations; and 
(2) whether the inclusion of management processes in the choice model has an impact on preferences. 
If preferences are found to be divergent between the public and experts, it follows that public consultation is an essential component of decision making processes, and that CM is indeed a relevant approach to inform policy of public preferences.

Tags: Human Dimensions | Attitudes,preferences,behavior | Social Behavior
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Herbert River Lucinda Jetty Turbidity Data Transect Sunday 15th February 2004

The objective of the research reported in this thesis was to develop a technique to monitor the dynamics of sediments and nutrients entering the coastal ocean with river plumes associated with high intensity low frequency events (e.g. floods), using ocean colour remote sensing. The data collected included suspended sediment concentration (TSS) and turbidity profiles.

Tags: Oceans | Ocean Optics | Turbidity, concentration_of_total_suspended_sediments, depth, secchi disk depth, secchi_depth_of_sea_water, total suspended sediments, turbidity
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
NESP MB Project D3 - Implementing monitoring of AMPs and the status of marine biodiversity assets on the continental shelf

This record provides an overview of the scope and research output of NESP Marine Biodiversity Hub Project D3 - "Implementing monitoring of AMPs and the status of marine biodiversity assets on the continental shelf". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata.

There is a significant need to support Parks Australia in the establishment of an inventory and monitoring program for Australian Marine Park (AMP) networks, and ensure it is integrated within broader national monitoring frameworks.
The first part of this project provided a national collation all known mapping data from government and industry (including data acquired during CERF and NERP Hubs) to improve understanding of the distribution and extent of this key habitat around Australia, and to identify critical gaps in this knowledge to be filled by targeted surveys. This significantly improved understanding of KEF boundaries and conservation values or assets within Commonwealth Marine Reserves on Australia’s continental shelf. A classification system was developed for these reefs, and matched with refinement of inventory and monitoring approaches to track reef health through time, including standard approaches to SOE understanding and reporting consistent with measures developed for coastal systems within NESP (i.e. see project C2). This also involved collation of all mapping data on non-reef hard substrate, and all non-reef soft substrate, with this information also being available as a significant output.
The second part of this project initiates a series of surveys, utilising standard operating procedures (SOPs), to demonstrate a sustainable path for a national survey program. By facilitating national approaches, including a standards-based approach to collecting new marine data, project outcomes will include key steps to assist Parks Australia to implement and initiate an AMP monitoring program, new knowledge to inform AMP management, a national integrated framework for State of Environment (SOE) reporting, and collaboration between State-based and Commonwealth-based programs. 
Planned Outputs
• National-scale map of the distribution and extent of reef/non-reef habitat on the Aus continental shelf
• Collation of all available mapping data for the Aus continental shelf
• Detailed reports specific to each AMP survey, including a plain English summary
• Survey data stored in national databases and portals
• New multibeam mapping data from AMP survey areas and adjacent waters 
• New data on benthic invertebrate cover obtained from AUV imagery surveys
• New data on benthic fish abundance obtained by BRUV surveys

Tags: Commonwealth Marine Reserve (CMR), Conservation and Biodiversity, Key Ecological Feature (KEF), Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl. Marine Ichthyology), National Environmental Science Program (NESP) Marine Biodiversity Hub, Natural Resource Management, biodiversity, monitoring, rocky reef
Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
IMOS - Ocean Gliders - Slocum glider deployment in Tasmania in Storm Bay (September - October 2012)

The dataset contains temperature, salinity and biological parameters measured by a Slocum glider in Storm Bay (Tasmania). 
Slocum glider data from the oceans around Australia have been collected by the Ocean Gliders Facility (formerly known as the Australian National Facility for Ocean Gliders (ANFOG)), since June 2008 and are ongoing. The data are obtained from an onboard suite of instruments which include Seabird-SBE41 CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, Depth), WETLabs BBFL2SLO 3 parameter optical sensor (measuring Chlorophyll-a, CDOM and 700nm Backscatter) and an Aanderaa oxygen optode (measuring concentration of dissolved oxygen in seawater.

Tags: CTD (Conductivity-Temperature-Depth Profilers), Coloured Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM), Countries | Australia, Fluorometers, 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, States, Territories (Australia) | Tasmania, 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
Ningaloo and Outer Shark Bay Baseline Survey 2014, Western Australia (WEL)

Remote sampling (TOWVID, BRUVS) of corals and fish in outer Shark Bay (Cruise 6082). Diver-based coral and fish surveys at Ningaloo and Muiron Islands (Cruise 6122).
 To establish spatially replicated baseline data for Ningaloo, the Muiron Islands and outer Shark Bay suitable for monitoring changes in community condition and attributing these to major disturbances, whether background exposure to temperature anomalies, cyclones or other natural perturbations, or in the unlikely event of a major hydrocarbon release from Oil and Gas activities in the region.
 Baseline surveys will use AIMS Long-Term Monitoring (LTM) methods and experimental design approach, which are a global benchmark for quantifying changes in benthic and fish communities, and will enable direct comparison of Ningaloo and the Muiron Islands plus outer Shark Bay with baseline datasets from other reefs of the NW shelf, e.g., the Rowley Shoals and Scott Reef, other offshore submerged banks and shoals, as well as with past data collected by AIMS at Ningaloo.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network
Adaptation and Acclimatization to Reef Flat and Slope Habitats in the Coral Pocillopora damicornis

An 18-month reciprocal field transplant experiment was undertaken to examine the environmental and genetic drivers behind variation in survival, weight gain, heat tolerance and algal symbiont community between the reef flat and slope habitats.
Pocillopora damicornis colonies from Heron Island were used in a two-part experiment of a replicated RTE across depth habitats and a common garden stress test. Three vital traits were measured between March 2012 &ndash; August 2013., and then the relative heat tolerance was measured by exposing the surviving colonies to 14 days of ex situ experimental heat stress.
At each site and habitat, 23 &ndash; 26 colonies were collected (total n = 97) and fragmented into two halves. One half of each colony was places onto experimental rack in its habitat of origin and the other haps was transplanted to the reciprocal habitat within each site. 2 x 2 m wire mesh racks were installed approximately 0.5m above the substrate and fragmented coral colonies were attached across the rack with cable ties in a haphazard manner. This resulted in four treatment groups replicated at two sites: flat to flat (FF), flat to slope (FS), slope to flat (SF), and slope to slope (SS).
Partial colony mortality and weight gain were measured in the field four times between March 2021 and August 2013. A number of colonies were sampled for Symbiodiniaceae community in coral tissue per site and treatment group at two time points in April 2012 and March 2013.
At the end of the field transplant experiment on 17 August 2013, the remaining live colonies were transported to the Australian Institute of Marine Science in Townsville, and kept in outdoor 1000L tanks for 10 days. They were then further fragmented into single branches and acclimatized in indoor 30L flow-through tanks at 24&deg;C. Treatment temperatures for the heat stress exposure included 24&deg;C, 29&deg;C, 30&deg;C and 31&deg;C. Between 3 and 20 replicate fragments per colony were exposed each temperature level, for a total of 14 days heat stress. Heat tolerance was quantified by proxy of the maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm), measured with Pulse-Amplitude Modulation (PAM) fluorometry.
Analyses were conducted of Symbiodiniaceae community composition by source and transplant habitats (flat and slope) and physiological traits, percent partial mortality and percent cumulative weight gain. Heat stress analysis was also conducted among different temperatures and contrasts of treatment groups.
See published papers linked below for further details.

Organization: Australian Ocean Data Network