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Mapping and characterisation of the inter-reefal benthic assemblages of the Torres Strait

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Haywood, M.D.E., Pitcher, C.R., Ellis, N., Wassenberg, T.J., Smith, G., Forcey, K., McLeod, I., Carter, A., Strickland, C. and Coles, R. (2008) Mapping and characterisation of the inter-reefal benthic assemblages of the Torres Strait. Continental Shelf Research, 28 (16). pp. 2304-2315.

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Article Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2008.03.039

Publisher URL: http://www.elsevier.com

Abstract

A comprehensive survey of the benthic assemblages of the Torres Strait was conducted in order to provide critical baseline information for regional marine planning, assessing the environmental sustainability of fisheries and understanding the ecosystems of the region. Over 150 sites throughout the region were sampled with a modified prawn trawl, towed underwater video, pipe dredge and epibenthic sled. This manuscript provides a broad overview of the activities undertaken and data collected. Two thousand three hundred and seventy-two different nominal species were sampled by the trawl and sled, only 728 by both gears. The towed video was not able to provide the same level of taxonomic resolution of epibenthic taxa, but was particularly useful in areas where the seabed was too rough to be sampled. Data from the trawl, sled and video were combined to characterise the epibenthic assemblages of the region. Data from the towed video was also used to provide a characterisation of the inter-reefal benthic habitats, which was then analysed in combination with physical covariate data to examine relationships between the two. Levels of mud and gravel in the sediments, trawling effort and seabed current stress were the covariates most significantly correlated with the nature of the seabed habitats.

Item Type:Article
Corporate Creators:Fisheries
Additional Information:© Crown Copyright. © Elsevier Ltd.
Keywords:Aquatic communities; Australia; benthic environment; Queensland; seafloor mapping; Torres Strait; underwater video.
Subjects:Science > Zoology > Chordates. Vertebrates > Fishes
Aquaculture and Fisheries > Fisheries > By region or country
Aquaculture and Fisheries > Fisheries > Fishery oceanography. Hydrologic factors
Live Archive:13 Feb 2009 06:33
Last Modified:03 Sep 2021 16:47

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