Recent datasets

Trajectories of decline have been observed in coral reefs throughout the Caribbean and Indo-Pacific region attributable to the synergistic effects of human-induced disturbances. Whilst direct and indirect evidence suggests that inshore reefs from the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) are showing signs of regional decline following European settlement in the mid 18th century, it has proven difficult to ascertain the link between anthropogenic disturbance and coral degradation on a regional scale.

The coral, Acropora millepora and the crustose coralline algae, Neogoniolithon fosliei were exposed to 3 photosystem II (PSII) herbicides (diuron, hexazinone and atrazine). Corals were collected at depths between 1 and 3m from Double Cone Island and Hayman Island in the Whitsunday group. The crustose coralline algae was collected from Davies Reef at depths between 5 and 7m.Experiments assessed the effects of the variables temperature (26, 30, 31, 32 °C) in combination with 3 herbicide concentrations, and exposure duration (up to 7 days) on photosynthetic efficiency and bleaching.

To date the seabird research program has: 1. Quantified how increases in El-Nino intensity and sea-surface temperatures (SST) result in decreased breeding participation, increased foraging effort, reduced food availability, poor chick growth and/or reproductive failure across multiple seabird species in both the northern and southern GBR. 2. Identified important seabird foraging areas/regions that the lie both within and outside the GBR region 3. Identified physiochemical and oceanographic correlates associated with both the important foraging areas and El-Nino/SST impacts 4.

The aims of this work (MTSRF Project 1.1.3b) were to identify the role of light and water temperature as drivers of change in seagrass meadows of the northern Great Barrier Reef. Experimental approaches as well as field investigations were undertaken. Field studies occurred at four locations (Magnetic Island, Dunk Island, Green Island, Low Isles). There was continuous monitoring of light and temperature at seagrass canopy height in both intertidal (above lowest astronomical tide, LAT) and near-by subtidal meadows (1-3m below LAT) at each of the four locations.

Using a quantitative genetics approach, the proportion of the variance in thermal tolerance traits that has a genetic basis (i.e. heritability) was estimated as a proxy for their adaptive potential in the widespread Indo-Pacific reef-building coral Acropora millepora.

The purpose of this study is to detect and quantify spatial and temporal changes in benthic communities and juvenile coral assemblages of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Additionally, spatial and temporal variation in sources of coral mortality are monitored to assist with interpretation of changes in benthic assemblages. Between 1993 and 2005, benthic assemblages of 46 reefs were monitored annually along permanent transects within a standard habitat using underwater video/digital still photography.

Despite the important role Symbiodinium might play we currently have limited knowledge of the distribution ranges of Symbiodinium on the Great Barrier Reef.

Samples of S. flexibilis were collected from a total of 11 sites from inshore and offshore reefs within the Torres Strait, Cairns, Townsville and Whitsunday regions of the Great Barrier Reef between December 1998 and February 2000.

As part of MTSRF Task 2.5i.2, a range of indices were investigated to quantify upwelling on the central Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia. These indices are necessary for exploring environmental and biological relationships in areas where upwelling may be sporadic and less intense, especially along western boundary currents such as the East Australian Current.

As part of MTSRF Project 4.8.1, this study aimed to assess the benefit of no-take (green) zones as a recruitment source. 1342 adult stripey snapper (Lutjanus carponotatus) from 3 green zones around the Keppel Islands were fin-clipped for genetic analysis and released. Microsatellite markers were used to assign juveniles to one or both parents. From the 483 juveniles collected from 16 sites in both green and blue zones, 140 (~30%) were assigned to one or both parents from the adult sample.

This dataset contains telephone (n=1743), mail (n=800), and face-to-face (n=132) survey data collected from the recreational fishing community in the Great Barrier Reef region. The surveys were aimed primarily at understanding fishers' attitudes and perceptions regarding the 2004 rezoning of the GBR and the impacts of the new zoning plan on recreational fishing activity and the spatial distribution of recreational fishing effort. Data units: Quantitative attitudinal and perception data plus extensive spatial data on recreational fishers' pre- and post-rezoning fishing locations.

This dataset contains responses from line (n=53), charter (n=40), and trawl (n=21) fishers to a face-to-face survey about the impacts of the 2004 rezoning of the GBR on commercial fishing activity and commercial fishers. Data Units: Quantitative data about fishers attitudes, perceptions, and opinions about the 2004 zoning plan plus spatial data regarding pre- and post-rezoning locations used by fishers.

Point of contact

This dataset provides information about the Australian community's awareness, concern and actions regarding climate change and the GBR. It was aimed at providing a tool for developing effective engagement strategies and future climate change human dimensions research. The dataset contains data from 1,609 telephone surveys of people residing adjacent to the GBR and in the capital cities of Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney conducted in November 2008.

Next generation DNA sequencing was used to scan a large proportion of the transcribed coding DNA in Acropora millepora for polymorphisms. Transcribed coding DNA (messenger RNA - mRNA) was extracted from 8 colonies sampled at three thermally distinct habitats along the GBR (Wilke Island Reef in Princess Charlotte Bay, Nelly Bay at Magnetic Island, and Miall Island in the Keppel Islands). The mRNA extractions from each population were pooled and translated back to the complementary DNA (cDNA), which was sequenced using 454 pyrosequencing by the Australian Genome Research Facility.

This simulation model allows various scenarios to be run which test how different percentages of nutrient reductions (and the parallel improvement in inshore reef quality) might operate in conjunction with raised water temperatures (as a result of climate change). The model has been used for the following simulations: The beneficial impact of end-of-catchment dissolved inorganic nutrients reductions (10%, 30%, 50% and 70%) in raising the bleaching resistance (i.e. the UTBT, °C) of inshore reefs between Townsville and Cooktown.

A three-dimensional whole-of-GBR baroclinic hydrodynamic model was applied at a spatial resolution of between 1 and 4 km. The model simulations are compiled to examine the intensity, duration and frequency of different lower salinity events.

Surveys to determine abundance patterns of jellyfishes across the continental shelf were undertaken over three summers starting in December 2007 along three cross shelf transects (Cooktown, Cairns and the Palm Island Group). Sampling was done in three strata at inner, mid and outer-shelf reef or island sites and an inshore beam-trawl survey. Within each distance strata sampling was done at two sites separated by 0.7 to 3 km and at each site two replicate one hour samples were taken for abundance data.

This data set contains life history data from 46 species of coral reef fish from four families (see list below). The data and samples on which these analyses are based were collected as part of the Effects of Line Fishing Project and the East Torres Strait Coral Reef Fishery Project. Species included in this data set include: Labridae: Cheilinus undulatus, Choerodon cyanodus, C. fasciatus, C. schoenleinii, C. venustus Lethrinidae: Lethrinus atkinsoni, L. lentjan, L. nebulosus, L. olivaceus Lutjanidae: Aprion virescens, Lutjanus adetii, L. carponotatus, L. fulviflamma, L. gibbus, L.

This is data associated with MTSRF Task 4.8.4s, a MTSRF supported PhD project titled Biology and ecology of the blacktip reef shark. As part of this project, basic water quality data were collected during shark tagging trips at the study site - Cockle Bay Reef at Magnetic Island. The meta data regarding these shark catch and tagging trips are recorded in a separate data file. Basic water quality of Cockle Bay was measured at weekly to monthly intervals with handheld instruments - a YSI water quality meter (temp, salinity, condutivity, dissolved oxygen), and secchi disk depth.

The Reef Check Australia monitoring program acts as an early warning system for coral community health. Annual surveys provide long-term data that can reveal patterns over time. Trained community volunteers collect quantitative data on the Great Barrier Reef and in the Southeast Queensland coral habitats. Data include substrate percent cover, abundance of key invertebrate species and target fish species. Data on natural and anthropogenic impacts on coral community health are also recorded.