Australian Seabed Biophysical Data for Marine Zone Management

Geoscience Australia compiled biophysical seabed information covering Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone to support marine conservation planning under the EPBC Act. This data provides 100% spatial coverage of the EEZ seabed using objective, multivariate statistical methods. The information was used to design a national representative system of marine protected areas, with 13 areas nominated for the southeast region by 2006.

Use Cases

• Predict seabed biodiversity distribution using integrated layers of bathymetry, geomorphology, and sediment properties.
• Classify seafloor types within multiple-use areas for conservation priority identification using acoustic and sediment property data.
• Create 'seascape' habitat maps for the continental shelf by integrating spatial data layers like slope and sediment mobilisation.
• Support petroleum exploration planning by providing certainty on seabed characteristics and conservation constraints across the EEZ.

Strengths

• Provides 100% spatial coverage of Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone seabed.
• Integrates multiple layers of spatial data including bathymetry, geomorphology, and sediment properties.

Limitations

• Limited biological data necessitates the use of biophysical proxies for biodiversity.
• Specific row counts, column details, and temporal coverage for the underlying data are unknown.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia, compiled for the Australian Ocean Data Network.

Collection Method

Data integration of multiple spatial layers using objective, multivariate statistical methods.

Time Range

null

Freshness

null

Geography

Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).