Predicted Seabed Mud Content for Darwin and Bynoe Harbour, 10m Resolution

The Darwin Harbour Habitat Mapping Program provides a predicted seabed mud content grid for the greater Darwin and Bynoe Harbour region in northern Australia. The dataset was created by Geoscience Australia, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and the Northern Territory Government's Department of Environment and Natural Resources, using data from surveys conducted between 2011 and 2017. It offers spatially continuous predictions of seabed %mud content at a 10-meter resolution, based on 395 samples and nine environmental variables derived from multibeam sonar data.

Use Cases

• Modeling benthic habitat suitability based on predicted seabed mud content.
• Informing marine spatial planning and conservation decisions using baseline environmental data.
• Calibrating and validating remote sensing models for sediment distribution with the provided 10m resolution raster.
• Assessing changes in seabed composition over time by comparing with future surveys.

Strengths

• Predictive accuracy is described as very high, with a VEcv of 62% for mud.
• Predictive accuracy was increased by 198.3% for mud compared to a commonly used interpolation method.
• Data is derived from a compilation of multiple surveys conducted between 2011 and 2017, providing a consolidated baseline.
• Spatial predictions are provided at a 10-meter resolution, offering detailed geographic coverage.

Limitations

• Absences in predictions occur due to non-availability of associated predictive variables.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Last updated 2026-06-16 19:27:48.085509; freshness should be verified.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia (GA), Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Northern Territory Government Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NTG-DENR)

Collection Method

Predictions based on 395 samples and nine environmental variables derived from high-resolution multibeam sonar bathymetry and backscatter data, compiled from multiple surveys.

Time Range

Surveys conducted between 2011 and 2017

Freshness

2026-06-16 19:27:48.085509

Geography

Greater Darwin Harbour and Bynoe Harbour region, northern Australian marine margin