Carnarvon Shelf Marine Biodiversity Survey Data from 2008

A 2008 survey by the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub collected co-located physical and biological data across three study areas on the southern Carnarvon Shelf. The collaboration between the Australian Institute of Marine Science and Geoscience Australia aboard RV Solander aimed to test physical parameters as surrogates for benthic biodiversity. The report describes methods and initial interpretations of data including multibeam sonar, sediment samples, and underwater video.

Use Cases

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

Strengths

• Data was collected for the specific purpose of robust testing of surrogates, suggesting high-quality co-location.
• Survey focused on three strategically selected study areas (Mandu, Point Cloates, Gnaraloo) representative of broader environments.
• Includes a variety of data types: physical (wave, current, bathymetry, sediment) and biological (video, photography, samples).

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.
• Additional processing of most data is required before comparative analysis can begin, as stated in the report.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network, via the CERF Marine Biodiversity Hub (AIMS and Geoscience Australia).

Collection Method

Field survey aboard RV Solander in August and September 2008.

Time Range

August-September 2008

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-04 07:28:12.736758; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Carnarvon Shelf, Western Australia (study areas: Mandu, Point Cloates, Gnaraloo, and near Muiron Islands).