Composite Inshore Seagrass Distribution for Eastern Queensland, 1984-2007

From 1984 to 2007, this dataset maps the distribution of inshore seagrass along the eastern Queensland coastline, compiled by the Australian Ocean Data Network. It is a composite of 38 surveys conducted using dive surveys, underwater cameras, and inter-tidal aerial surveys for waters shallower than -15 metres. The data includes spatial extent but not species information.

Use Cases

• Modeling historical coastal habitat extent based on composite mapping from 38 surveys
• Planning marine protected areas based on spatial seagrass distribution data
• Analyzing long-term coastal ecology changes based on data spanning 23 years
• Assessing baseline conditions for environmental impact studies based on inshore seagrass coverage

Strengths

• Composite layer derived from 38 distinct surveys
• Data spans a 23-year time range from 1984 to 2007
• Covers a specific geographic area: the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and Hervey Bay

Limitations

• Dataset is noted as somewhat deprecated by a more recent 2015 compilation
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download
• Data may reflect temporal bias inherent to the specific survey periods and methods

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Data compiled from dive surveys, underwater cameras, and inter-tidal aerial surveys

Time Range

1984-2007

Freshness

Last updated 2026-07-10 21:36:21.405663; freshness should be verified

Geography

Eastern Queensland coastline, specifically the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and Hervey Bay