Recent datasets

The database contains native and alien species records for National Park islands in the southern Great Barrier Reef. Attributes for each record include information on abundance, life history traits, habitat requirements, limitations of source, and relevant species information from government bodies including EPBC and NCA listings. Basic interaction information among species (alien vs. native) is also recorded. This dataset also has basic information about the islands such as area, location, and regional ecosystem types present on the island.

Determining the impact on Torres Strait communities from future changes to ecosystems requires an understanding of the natural resource base that underpins their livelihoods. To do this, we estimate the relative importance of natural resources, or ecosystem goods and services (EGS) to local livelihoods, which in turn is a function of the relative volume of those EGS, and their relative value to human well-being. Our approach was focused on 'provisioning' and 'cultural' EGS, which have a direct link to local livelihoods.

This dataset consists of one data file from a 10 week aquarium experiment manipulating salinity and measuring density, reproduction and growth responses of three tropical Indo-pacific seagrass species (Zostera mueller, Halodule uninervis and Halophila ovalis). Halophytes, such as seagrasses, predominantly form habitats in coastal and estuarine areas. These habitats can be seasonally exposed to hypo-salinity events during watershed runoff exposing them to dramatic salinity shifts and osmotic shock. The manifestation of this osmotic shock on seagrass morphology and phenology was tested.

This collection is a record of MODIS satellite imagery before, during and after severe cyclone Yasi in February 2011. This image series highlights the damage the cyclone makes to the rainforest areas around mission beach and the turbulence created off shore by the cyclone on the 5th February (2.5 days after the cyclone). It corresponds to the images and maps from the "Cyclone Yasi satellite image maps - before and after" article in the eAtlas. Use this dataset if you wish to recreate these maps.

This dataset shows the projected current and future (2070) climatic suitability for the invasive plant species Clidemia hirta, Hiptage benghalensis, Miconia calvescen, Miconia nervosa, Miconia racemose, Stevia ovata,and Turbina corymbosa across North Queensland. Modelled using CLIMEX. Method: CLIMEX (Sutherst & Maywald 1985; Sutherst et al.

This dataset shows various statistics of photic depth across the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Data are broken into 35 zones along and across the GBR and photic depth is derived from 11 years of MODIS Aqua data. The data included is: 1. The statistical strength of correlation between standardized photic depth and freshwater discharges the GBR. 2. The mean photic depth and the main physical environmental variables that need to be controlled for when assessing how volumes of river freshwater discharges influence photic depth. 3.

This metadata record describes physico-chemical and nutrient data collected through in situ monitoring by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Monitoring Program for Inshore Water Quality (MMP WQ). A full description of the MMP WQ and its associated datasets can be found in the parent metadata record linked above. Water quality sampling is conducted during both ambient conditions and river discharge events. Ambient monitoring refers to routine sampling during the wet and dry seasons outside of major flood events.

This dataset measures 5 effects of temperature and pH stressors (individual and combined) on tropical Foraminifera. The effects measured are: respiration, survivorship, growth, chl-a content and photochemistry. The study was conducted in 2011 and the data is provided as 5 single sheet spreadsheets. Warming and changes in ocean carbonate chemistry alter marine coastal ecosystems at an accelerating pace. Here we investigate the individual effects as well as the interaction of two stressors, temperature and pH on two species of benthic coral reef Foraminifera.

This dataset consists of one data file from a 16 day aquarium experiment manipulating pH and light level and measuring growth, photosynthesis, calcification and pigment content of Acropora millepora. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that a combined effect of decreased pH and decreased light on physiological responses of the coral is larger than that of each stressor individually.

This dataset contains data on carbon chemistry on inshore reefs of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Main parameters measured were temperature, total alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon. The data was collected six times over two years (September 2011 - June 2012) covering a comprehensive latitudinal range. The aim of this study was to investigate carbon chemistry on inshore reefs, and compare it to offshore reefs and historical data.

This dataset consists of one data file (spreadsheet) from a 2 week aquarium experiment manipulating pH (pCO2) changes and measuring photosynthetic and growth responses of three tropical seagrass species (Cymodocea serrulata, Halodule uninervis and Thalassia hemprichii). The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that increased pCO2 would increase photosynthetic and growth rates to various extents between seagrass species.

Sediment samples for foraminiferan community analysis were collected from 20 reefs located between 13.5°S and 20.5°S within the Great Barrier Reef. Most of these reefs are inshore fringing reefs which can be grouped into three distinct geographical regions: eight reefs of the Whitsunday area (collected in August 2004), four reefs from Princess Charlotte Bay, and four from the Wet Tropic area (both collected in October 2004).

This dataset consists of one csv data file from field derived experiments at tropical carbon dioxide seeps in Papua New Guinea, measuring the response parameters: calcification, photosynthesis, carbon and nitrogen contents and carbon isotopic signatures on Halimeda opuntia grown under ocean acidification conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ocean acidification on Halimeda opuntia grown under ocean acidification conditions at tropical carbon dioxide seeps.

This dataset shows the measured response of the photosystems of seagrasses to herbicides in experiments conducted in 2012-2013. The data is provided as a multi-sheet spreadsheet. The aim of this study was to apply standard ecotoxicology protocols to quantify the concentrations of four priority PSII herbicides that inhibit photochemistry by 10, 20 and 50% (IC10, IC20 and IC50) over 72 hrs in two common seagrass species from the GBR lagoon.

This project will undertake a scoping study to design a pilot nitrogen trading scheme for key cane growing catchments draining into the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon. The study will synthesise the current understanding of nitrogen dynamics, local expertise and on-ground practices from the cane industry, with lessons from successful nutrient trading programs elsewhere. Tradable permit simulation will estimate the cost effectiveness of the scheme for reducing nitrogen loads into the GBR, and the financial impact on sugarcane growers.

1. Design of a pilot sub-catchment scale monitoring, modelling and extension program, based on end-user workshop, existing risk assessments, monitoring and modelling programs, for subsequent implementation with farmer’s support to identify reef pollutant “spikes/hotspots”, their causes and the necessary areas for extension to improve management. 2. Pilot implementation to test the design with the assistance of farmers, extension providers, etc in a particular local area to underpin future initiatives such as nutrient trading. 3.

Australian governments have addressed water quality issues in the Great Barrier Reef (Reef) over the last decade. While much has improved, more is needed. Reef environmental outcomes, however, depend on the interplay among diverse/fragmented governance “activities” (e.g. water allocation, ports-planning, regional NRM). Despite being recognized in the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan (LTSP), there is no coordinated system for benchmarking/monitoring the health of the overall Reef governance system/constituent activities. NERP supported a new method for doing so.

Alluvial gully erosion contributes 20-40% of fine sediment from the three largest sediment contributing catchments to the GBR, yet there has been limited effort to manage this major sediment source. Cost effective reduction of sediment from these alluvial gullies requires data on effective management strategies. We will take advantage of a ‘natural experiment’ that occurred when Cyclone Ita passed over existing trial management sites in the Normanby catchment. The project will evaluate the effectiveness of different management strategies to reduce erosion from alluvial gullies.

This project will synthesize experimental and field data from NERP, MTSRF and other work for key coral reef organisms and processes to produce a quantitative approach or how multiple pressures lead to cumulative impacts on the GBR. Applying quantitative tools developed for ecotoxicology and water quality guidelines, we will investigate critical interactive effects, environmental thresholds and their uncertainties, and their application in risk assessments.

The current tools used to estimate the contribution of bank erosion to the Great Barrier Reef (i.e. SourceCatchments model), are based on empirical relationships using little or no data from tropical river systems.