Environmental research, maps and data for tropical Australia
AIMS eReefs Visualisation Portal - Explore the reef through time
Get to know about Australia's new marine parksRecent articles
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Published on26 May 2022
We used data from satellite telemetry tags attached to six species of threatened and migratory marine megafauna across three taxonomic groups (marine turtles, whales and sharks) off the coast of north-western Australia to map their areas of use. We then compiled spatial data from a range of threats and overlayed species and threat maps to assess the level of exposure of the species to threats. In doing so we can identify areas where there is high exposure of species to threats, where risk assessments can be best directed with resulting management actions if needed in order to protect these species. -
Published on26 May 2022
We use genetics to estimate how far and wide oyster larvae can disperse to assist in setting biologically relevant spatial boundaries and harvest limits for oysters. -
Published on26 May 2022
To assist in recovery of the population, spatial areas of importance to pygmy blue whales, known as Biologically Important Areas (BIA), have been identified by the Australian Government. The AIMS team and collaborators Centre for Whale Research and Curtin University set out to reduce uncertainty in identifying where important foraging areas for this species and their migration pathways and distribution exist, and the extent to which they overlap with anthropogenic activities by deploying satellite tags. -
Published on26 May 2022
Key Ecological Features (KEFs) are parts of the marine ecosystem considered to be of particular importance for either a region's biodiversity or its ecosystem function and integrity. 13 KEFs have been defined for Australia’s North-west Marine Region, including the ‘Ancient Coastline at 125m depth contour’ (AC125). The AC125 is thought to “provide areas of hard substrate and therefore may provide sites for higher diversity and enhanced species richness relative to surrounding areas of predominantly soft sediment.” Little is known about what habitats exist on the sea floor in the AC125. Part of the reason is that the AC125 is very deep, and thus difficult to observe. The North West Shoals to Shore Research Program took underwater photographs and video of the seafloor to better understand each AC125 Area within its local context. -
Published on23 April 2021
This site provides an introduction to cumulative impacts on coral reefs and outlines some of the latest research into understanding the interactive effects of these impacts and which affect different coral types the most.
Recent datasets
This dataset summarises benthic surveys in Yanyuwa Sea Country into 3 GIS shapefiles.
(1) A point (site) shapefile describes seagrass presence/absence at 3248 sites surveyed by small vessel and helicopter.
(2) The meadow shapefile describes attributes of 180 intertidal seagrass meadows.
(3) The interpolation GeoTiff describes variation in seagrass biomass across the seagrass meadows.
This dataset collection contains GIS layers for creating the AIMS eReefs visualisation maps (https://ereefs.aims.gov.au/). These datasets are useful for creating A4 printed maps of the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea. It contains the following datasets:
- Countries - Australia plus surrounding countries at 1:10M scale. Crop of Natural Earth Data 1:10 Admin 0 - Countries dataset. Allows filtering out of surrounding countries.
- Cities - 21 Cities along the Queensland coastline.
This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub study - Project 3.11 - Multi- fishery collaboration to assess population abundances and post release survival of threatened sawfish in northern Australia. For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata.
This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub small-scale study - Project 3.9 - Establishing an Indigenous led approach to coordinated vertebrate pest management in northern Australia. For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata.
This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub study - Project 3.5 – Supporting regional planning in northern Australia: Building knowledge, skills and partnerships for understanding seagrass distribution. For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata.