Carnarvon Shelf Marine Survey Data from 2008

A 2008 survey of the Carnarvon Shelf, Western Australia, collected by the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub aboard RV Solander. The report describes methods and datasets including multibeam sonar, sediment samples, and underwater video from three primary study areas. Additional processing of physical and biological data is required for comparative analysis.

Use Cases

• Analyze multibeam sonar bathymetry and backscatter data to model seafloor topography and composition.
• Classify benthic communities from towed underwater video and stills photography imagery.
• Correlate acoustic sediment profile data with sediment grab sample results for habitat mapping.
• Examine wave and current measurement data for hydrodynamic studies of the shelf environment.

Strengths

• Data collected during a dedicated marine survey in August and September 2008.
• High-quality, accurately co-located physical and biological datasets from three strategically selected study areas.
• Survey was a collaboration between the Australian Institute of Marine Science and Geoscience Australia.

Limitations

• Additional processing of most physical and biological data is required before comparative analysis.
• Data scope is limited to specific areas on the southern Carnarvon Shelf and a small area near the Muiron Islands.
• The primary data format is a report (HTML/PDF), not a directly analyzable tabular dataset.

Provenance

Source

CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Geoscience Australia

Collection Method

Field survey aboard RV Solander employing multibeam sonar, sediment grabs, towed video, and other instruments.

Time Range

August and September 2008

Freshness

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Geography

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