Lord Howe Rise Biogeography and Habitat Analysis

Australian Ocean Data Network synthesizes physical and biological information for the Lord Howe Rise region, an area of 1.95 million km2 spanning tropical to cool temperate latitudes. The review assesses biogeography at a regional scale using data from surveys like TAN0713 and NORFANZ, examining relationships between biological communities and bathymetric features. The dataset was last updated in April 2026.

Use Cases

• Modeling species assemblage differences between raised (seamounts, pinnacles) and subdued (sediment basins, plateaus) bathymetric features.
• Analyzing latitudinal gradients in demersal fish distribution across the 18.4°S to 40.3°S range.
• Mapping habitat types based on substrate and depth-related variables across the complex topography.
• Assessing potential for endemism and speciation based on paleo-environmental processes and geomorphic feature isolation.

Strengths

• Covers a large geographic area of 1.95 million square kilometers
• Integrates data from multiple recent scientific surveys (TAN0713, NORFANZ)
• Spans a significant latitudinal gradient from 18.4°S to 40.3°S

Limitations

• Contains no time-series data for most of the region
• Limited spatially-replicated studies available
• Sample data and specific column details are unavailable

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Synthesis of physical and biological information from survey data and published literature.

Freshness

Updated in April 2026.

Geography

Lord Howe Rise region, Tasman Sea (18.4°S to 40.3°S).