From Australian Oceans Data Network
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Assessment of the effects of the 2004 coral bleaching event at Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve (Coral Sea)

Created 23/06/2025

Updated 23/06/2025

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Reefs in the Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve (NNR) were surveyed between 8-13 October 2004 in order to assess the effects of significant coral bleaching, which was observed during previous surveys in March 2004.Benthic communities on the five reefs previously surveyed (Anne Cay, Georgina Cay, Lorna Cay, Middle Cay and Turtle Cay) were resampled. An additional reef in the north west of the Reserve (Juliette Cay) was sampled along with two bommies to the north west of Anne Cay (Hermit Crab Island on AUS Chart 614).Species level data and crude abundance estimates of the benthic communities were obtained using a rapid visual assessment protocol (RAP). Video transect surveys were used to obtain rigorous abundance estimates of biota at a finer taxonomic resolution.SCUBA search surveys, along transects, were conducted to assess the impact of bleaching and to measure the prevalence of a suite of coral diseases, including White Syndrome, Black Band Disease, Brown Band Disease and Skeletal Eroding Band. A series of deeper water video tows were conducted at depths between 45m and 60m, in the lagoon area of Lihou Reef NNR and also to the north of Anne Cay. Drop camera shots were also taken at 2 locations at 27-29m. Surveys were undertaken to:1. assess the effects of coral bleaching, which was observed on sites surveyed in March 1994.2. survey deeper areas, not previously surveyed, for the presence of coral communities and to establish the extent of bleaching at depth. The Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve (NNR) is one of two protected areas in the Coral Sea region. The reserve is located in the Coral Sea 400 kilometres east of Townsville, Queensland. It was proclaimed on the 16th August 1982 under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975.The Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve and Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve Management Plan states that both reserves are to be managed as strict nature reserves - World Conservation Union (IUCN) Category 1a - strict nature reserve. Such reserves are managed primarily to ensure habitats, ecosystems and native species are preserved in an undisturbed state as well as to facilitate research.

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Additional Info

Field Value
Title Assessment of the effects of the 2004 coral bleaching event at Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve (Coral Sea)
Language eng
Licence Not Specified
Landing Page https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/6234e5e6-4aab-45ee-a8fe-e0401aab6853
Contact Point
Australian Ocean Data Network
adc@aims.gov.au
Reference Period 20/11/2017
Geospatial Coverage
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
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  "type": "Polygon"
}
Data Portal Australian Oceans Data Network

Data Source

This dataset was originally found on Australian Oceans Data Network "Assessment of the effects of the 2004 coral bleaching event at Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve (Coral Sea)". Please visit the source to access the original metadata of the dataset:
https://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/csw/dataset/assessment-of-the-effects-of-the-2004-coral-bleaching-event-at-lihou-reef-national-nature-reser1