Temperate Australian Rocky Reef Biota Abundance and Algal Cover Data

Quantitative abundance data for fish, megafaunal invertebrates, and algal percent cover were collected via transect-based counts at multiple depths across Temperate Australia. The dataset, derived from research led by Edgar and Barrett, includes temporal replication on a yearly scale and focuses on monitoring new Tasmanian Marine Protected Areas. The Australian Ocean Data Network manages this record, which was last updated in April 2026.

Use Cases

• Analyze temporal trends in fish abundance from transect counts to assess MPA effectiveness.
• Model relationships between algal percent cover and invertebrate megafauna abundance across different sites.
• Compare species composition and abundance between 5-meter and 10-meter depth transects at the same location.
• Assess spatial biodiversity patterns across surveyed regions like Port Davey, the Kent Group, and St Helens.

Strengths

• Temporal replication on a year scale provides data for longitudinal analysis.
• Data collection follows a standardized transect-based methodology described in Edgar and Barrett (1997).
• Spatial coverage includes a wide range of locations across Temperate Australia and multiple Tasmanian MPAs.

Limitations

• Specific row counts, column details, and sample sizes are unavailable.
• The available file formats (PNG, HTML) suggest the primary data may not be in a readily analyzable tabular form.
• Geographic focus is heavily biased towards Tasmanian waters, particularly the Kent Group for this specific record.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network.

Collection Method

Quantitative abundance derived from transect-based counts at 5m and/or 10m depths.

Time Range

Temporal replication on a year scale; specific date range unknown.

Freshness

Record was last updated in April 2026, indicating recent maintenance.

Geography

Temperate Australia, with a focus on Tasmanian Marine Protected Areas including the Kent Group, Maria Island, and Port Davey.