R Code for Water Quality Metrics in the Great Barrier Reef (2015-2016)

The code base developed for the 2016 Reef Report Card covers the period from 1 October 2015 to 30 September 2016. It was created by the Australian Ocean Data Network for generating water quality metrics from eReefs models, MODIS satellite data, and in-situ sampling. This R code implements a new metric designed to address limitations of prior methods, such as insensitivity to runoff events and reliance solely on remote sensing.

Use Cases

• Developing hierarchical aggregation schemes for environmental indicators based on the described method.
• Testing scaled modified amplitude scoring methods for water quality compliance based on the description.
• Integrating model, satellite, and in-situ data sources for a composite water quality metric as outlined.
• Propagating uncertainty in environmental report card metrics based on the project's stated objectives.

Strengths

• Code is associated with a defined reporting period (1 October 2015 to 30 September 2016).
• Method addresses specific, documented shortcomings of a prior metric used until 2015.
• Designed to integrate multiple data sources: eReefs models, MODIS satellite imaging, and in-situ sampling.

Limitations

• The code cannot be run as a standalone entity as it relies on non-public input data sources.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Code developed for generating metrics from eReefs biogeochemical models, MODIS Satellite imaging, and AIMS in situ sampling.

Time Range

Reporting period 1 October 2015 to 30 September 2016

Freshness

Last updated 2026-07-10 15:51:49.208431; freshness should be verified

Geography

Likely focuses on the Great Barrier Reef lagoon, as referenced in the description.