Biophysical Processes in the Torres Strait Marine Ecosystem Post Cruise Report

Geoscience Australia survey 266 investigated seabed geomorphology near Turnagain Island to understand its effects on seagrass distribution and survival. The survey is part of a larger field-based program managed by the Reef CRC, initiated due to threats from widespread seagrass dieback affecting dugong and turtle populations and indigenous islander communities. This report contains the preliminary results from the first of two surveys carried out in 2004.

Use Cases

• Modeling seabed sedimentary processes based on geomorphological survey data.
• Investigating the link between seabed geomorphology and seagrass dieback events mentioned in the description.
• Assessing habitat suitability for dugong and turtle populations based on inferred seagrass health.
• Supporting indigenous community resource management with data on physical and biological processes.

Strengths

• Report is part of a larger, explicitly stated field-based program managed by the Reef CRC.
• Focuses on a specific, ecologically significant site of recent widespread seagrass dieback.

Limitations

• Data is presented as a PDF/HTML report; structured, machine-readable data (e.g., columnar) is unavailable.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last updated 2026-05-14 03:43:26.189792; freshness should be verified.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

Field survey (Geoscience Australia survey 266).

Time Range

2004

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-14 03:43:26.189792

Geography

Central Torres Strait, vicinity of Turnagain Island.