Platypus Habitat Suitability Model Results for Melbourne Waterways

Encompassing habitat suitability modelling results for platypus across 8,233 sub-catchment reaches within the Melbourne Water operating region. It was developed by the University of Melbourne for the Healthy Waterways Strategy 2018. The data provides suitability scores under three scenarios: current conditions, a current trajectory, and a target trajectory.

Use Cases

• Analyze habitat suitability scores for platypus under the current scenario across 8,233 reaches to identify priority conservation areas.
• Compare suitability scores between the current trajectory and target trajectory scenarios to assess the potential impact of proposed management actions.
• Map the spatial distribution of habitat suitability results for platypus across the Melbourne Water region using the provided geographic data formats.
• Model the potential effects of urbanisation and climate change on platypus habitat by examining differences between the current and trajectory scenarios.

Strengths

• Model results are based on analysis across 16,346 sub-catchments, with detailed results provided for 8,233 reaches containing waterways.
• Data has been thoroughly reviewed and is considered fit for purpose for waterway planning according to the provider.
• Covers the entire Melbourne Water operating region, excluding only very small coastal areas.

Limitations

• The dataset does not include very small areas close to Port Phillip Bay or Western Port, such as parts of French Island.
• The underlying habitat suitability models and their assumptions are not fully detailed within the provided metadata.
• The 'current' scenario is based on 2014 conditions, which may not reflect the most recent state.

Provenance

Source

University of Melbourne, developed through the Melbourne Waterways Research Practice Partnership for Melbourne Water's Healthy Waterways Strategy 2018.

Collection Method

Created using a streams dataset from GraceGIS and results from habitat suitability modelling conducted for the HWS2018.

Time Range

The 'current' scenario reflects conditions circa 2014; trajectory scenarios project future conditions.

Freshness

Last updated on 2026-03-20, though the primary 'current' scenario data reflects 2014 conditions.

Geography

Melbourne Water operating region in Australia, divided into sub-catchments and reaches.