Dungeness Reef Seagrass Survey Series: Site, Meadow, and Biomass Data

104 to 140 survey sites per campaign document seagrass presence, species composition, and biomass on Dungeness Reef in Torres Strait. This dataset comprises three GIS shapefiles per survey date, detailing site-level observations, meadow community structure, and interpolated biomass variation. The data supports long-term monitoring initiated in 2016, providing essential information for dugong and turtle management plans in the region.

Use Cases

• Monitoring seagrass meadow health and biomass trends over time based on annual survey data from 2019 to 2023.
• Analyzing spatial distribution of seagrass species composition using the site layer's latitude/longitude and species contribution data.
• Modeling habitat suitability for dugongs and turtles using seagrass presence/absence and community structure information.
• Creating maps of seagrass biomass interpolation for environmental reporting and impact assessment.

Strengths

• Provides detailed site-level data with sample sizes ranging from 92 to 140 sites per survey campaign.
• Integrates multiple data layers (site, meadow, biomass interpolation) for comprehensive spatial analysis.
• Part of a consistent long-term monitoring program with surveys conducted annually since at least 2016.

Limitations

• Key metadata such as column names, row counts, license, and author are consistently listed as unknown or 'None' across all platform entries.
• The dataset's freshness is unclear as the 'last updated' metadata appears to be a future date (2026), conflicting with the survey dates described.
• Specific data formats and access details for the shapefiles are not provided in the available descriptions.

Provenance

Source

Centre for Tropical Water & Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, in collaboration with Torres Strait Regional Authority Land and Sea Rangers.

Collection Method

Helicopter-based intertidal surveys using visual estimates of biomass and species composition within quadrats, with data processed in a dedicated ArcGIS 10.8 system.

Time Range

2019 to 2023 (with references to annual monitoring since 2016).

Freshness

Survey data from 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023 are described, but platform metadata lists a last updated date of 2026, which is inconsistent.

Geography

Dungeness Reef, Torres Strait, Australia.