Macroalgae surveys at Ningaloo Marine Reserve

Created 23/06/2025

Updated 23/06/2025

Surveys and oceanographic measurements investigated the patch dynamics of macroalgae in the Ningaloo lagoon. Surveys of benthic macroalgae were conducted at three seaweed dominated bed sites, separated by 1 - 5kms, at Coral Bay and Tantabiddi. Scuba divers randomly placed six replicate quadrats on the benthos sites between 1m and 5m depth. All attached macro algae larger than 1cm was harvested by hand, washed and sorted into genus level or higher categories. Samples were weighed to the nearest 0.1g. Height of transects were recorded and samples analysed for seasonal biomass estimated. This study compared macroalgal biomass to available data on monthly variations of sea temperature, rainfall, light, wind-driven upwelling and significant wave height. Data sources included submersible temperature loggers, monthly rainfall totals at Ningaloo Station and data from the Ningaloo Weather Station at Milyering, and an offshore wave rider bouy measuring daily significant wave heights.

Files and APIs

Additional Info

Field Value
Title Macroalgae surveys at Ningaloo Marine Reserve
Language eng
Licence Not Specified
Landing Page https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/c4cbf2ae-35c0-457e-96fd-7e00038bbdb9
Contact Point
Australian Ocean Data Network
reception@aims.gov.au
Reference Period 02/12/2019
Geospatial Coverage
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
{
  "coordinates": [
    113.70300292968751,
    -23.0999442125314
  ],
  "type": "Point"
}
Data Portal Australian Oceans Data Network

Data Source

This dataset was originally found on Australian Oceans Data Network "Macroalgae surveys at Ningaloo Marine Reserve". Please visit the source to access the original metadata of the dataset:
https://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/csw/dataset/macroalgae-surveys-at-ningaloo-marine-reserve