First broad-scale maps of life on the sea-shelf

First broad-scale maps of life on the sea-shelf
Lace bryozoans and seapens are found in the Bathurst Channel, Port Davey, south-west Tasmania, where tannin-stained waters restrict light penetration. Image credit - Neville Barrett, University of Tasmania

Marine scientists from five research agencies have pooled their skills and resources to compile a directory of life on Australia's continental shelf.

They examined the shelf seascape during a three-year program of the Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities (CERF) Hub.

Hub director, Professor Nic Bax of CSIRO and the University of Tasmania, says the program developed and applied a consistent, national approach to biodiversity mapping.

“The program compiled existing biological survey datasets, mapped 1868 square kilometres of seabed with multibeam sonar, recorded 171 km of underwater video, and collected nearly 1000 samples of seabed sediments and marine life,” Professor Bax said.

“At a national level we identified 37 environmental factors that shape seabed life, such as depth, oceanography, the type of seafloor, food availability, and the strength of currents and waves. 

First broad-scale maps of life on the sea-shelf
A new species of shrimp discovered in deep water of Western Australia. Image credit - Museum Victoria

“Statistical modelling was then used to predict seabed biodiversity, at a scale of one km2, across more than two million km 2of the .

“Genetic techniques examined the links between biodiversity in different areas, and economic studies examined new options for biodiversity management.”

Professor Bax said the new maps and knowledge highlight the complex patterns of biodiversity across ’s shelf habitats, while emphasising how much more we need to know.

Some of the maps have already been used by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPaC) to improve its understanding of Australia’s oceans as part of the marine bioregional planning process.

All of the new information will be incorporated into the Australia Ocean Data Network and the Atlas of Living Australia to improve access to essential information on Australia’s biodiversity.

The program also completed finer scale mapping of previously unknown areas of the seabed in four important areas around Australia: Jervis Bay, Lord Howe Island, Southern-eastern Tasmania and Carnarvon Shelf.

“These studies have helped local marine managers to fine-tune reserve design, and will assist in monitoring individual marine reserves,” Professor Bax said.

The Marine Biodiversity Research Hub brought together the University of Tasmania, CSIRO, Geoscience Australia, the Australian Institute of Marine Science and Museum Victoria under the Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities program. The CERF program is administered by SEWPaC.

More information: The final report of the CEF Marine Biodiversity Hub is available at: www.marinehub.org

Provided by CSIRO

Citation: First broad-scale maps of life on the sea-shelf (2011, March 25) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2011-03-broad-scale-life-sea-shelf.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

View of the ocean expanded by Tasmanian scientists

0 shares

Feedback to editors