Bass Strait Benthic Fauna and Sediment Survey Data, 1979-1983

Museum Victoria collected biological data in an extensive survey of Bass Strait fauna between 1979 and 1983. The results indicate Bass Strait supports a particularly diverse fauna with a high degree of small-scale variation, where even adjacent samples show low similarity. Analysis shows longitude and depth are important factors, but overall correlation of faunal composition with physical factors is poor.

Use Cases

• Modeling benthic community distribution based on longitude and depth factors mentioned in the description.
• Analyzing small-scale spatial variation in marine fauna based on the described low similarity between adjacent samples.
• Correlating sediment facies with biological assemblages based on the study's examination of biogenic content and living communities.
• Testing regional marine classifications like IMCRA based on the described biological patterns.

Strengths

• Data collection spanned a multi-year period from 1979 to 1983.
• Includes multiple data types: biological survey data, sediment samples, swath mapping, and underwater video footage.
• Analysis is grounded in specific prior studies and regional classifications (e.g., Boreen et al., 1993; Jones and Davies, 1983; IMCRA).

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• The description states biological assemblages are not consistent enough to be mapped, limiting predictive modeling.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Museum Victoria, Geoscience Australia, Australian Hydrographic Office.

Collection Method

Field surveys, sediment sampling, swath mapping, and underwater video collection.

Time Range

1979 to 1983 for primary biological survey, with supplementation by more recent data.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-10 17:30:54.341092; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Bass Strait and sites to its east.