Carnarvon Shelf Marine Biodiversity Survey Data from 2008

A 2008 survey of the Carnarvon Shelf, Western Australia, conducted by the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub aboard the RV Solander. The survey collected co-located physical and biological data across three main study areas: Mandu, Point Cloates, and Gnaraloo. Datasets include multibeam sonar, sediment samples, underwater video, and plankton samples for analyzing benthic biodiversity surrogates.

Use Cases

• Testing physical parameters as surrogates for benthic biodiversity patterns based on the described co-located data collection.
• Analyzing benthic community composition based on the towed underwater video and stills photography mentioned.
• Mapping seafloor characteristics using the multibeam sonar bathymetry and backscatter data collected.
• Studying sediment composition and acoustic profiles from the grab samples and acoustic sediment profiles.

Strengths

• Data was collected with a focus on high-quality, accurately co-located physical and biological measurements.
• Survey was conducted in strategically selected areas (Mandu, Point Cloates, Gnaraloo) designed to be representative of broader benthic environments.
• Involved collaboration between two major Australian research institutions: the Australian Institute of Marine Science and Geoscience Australia.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• The report indicates additional processing of most data is required before comparative analysis can commence.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data, Australian Institute of Marine Science

Collection Method

Field survey aboard RV Solander, part of the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub's Surrogates Program.

Time Range

August and September 2008

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-30 13:21:28.626849; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Carnarvon Shelf, Western Australia, specifically Mandu, Point Cloates, Gnaraloo, and near the Muiron Islands.