2021 State of the Environment Report Marine Chapter – Expert Assessment – State and Trend – Oceanic reefs

Researchers: Alexander, Timothy, Dr (Author) ,  Alexander, Timothy, Dr (Author) ,  Edgar, Graham (Author) ,  Edgar, Graham (Author) ,  Edgar, Graham, Assoc/Prof (Author)
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Brief description The Marine chapter of the 2021 State of the Environment (SoE) report incorporates multiple expert templates developed from streams of marine data. This metadata record describes the Expert Assessment "State and Trend of oceanic reefs". ***A PDF of the full Expert Assessment, including figures and tables (where provided) is downloadable in the "On-line Resources" section of this record as "EXPERT ASSESSMENT 2021 - Oceanic reefs"*** ---------------------------------------- DESCRIPTION OF HABITAT/COMMUNITY/PROCESS FOR EXPERT ASSESSMENT Assemblages of plants and animals found on shallow offshore reefs in the 0-30 m depth range. This largely relates to reefs in the Coral Sea, Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, and the offshore reefs in the North and North-west, based on results from the national case study ‘Australia’s changing reefs’. DATA STREAM(S) USED IN EXPERT ASSESSMENT Underwater visual census data from Reef Life Survey, as reported in references. NW and Elizabeth & Middleton reefs surveyed in 2013 and 2018, Lord Howe Island 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020. Coral Sea 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 (2020 data not yet available for assessment), Norfolk Island (2009, 2013). While results were based on those regions covered in the national case study ‘Australia’s changing reefs’ in which quantitative comparisons were made with standardised data, other relevant monitoring data have been collected by the Australian Institute of Marine Science, James Cook University, CSIRO and the Sydney Institute of Marine Science. It is uncertain whether trends reported here are consistent with those indicated by those other monitoring programs. ---------------------------------------- 2021 SOE ASSESSMENT SUMMARY [see attached Expert Assessment for full details] • 2021 • Assessment grade: Good Assessment trend: Deteriorating Confidence grade: Adequate Confidence trend: Adequate/limited Comparability: High. This is the second assessment in a row based on standardised quantitative data from the same sources (noting that 2016 assessment was titled “Offshore banks, shoals, islands”) • 2016 • Assessment grade: Good Assessment trend: Stable Confidence grade: Adequate high-quality evidence or high level of consensus Confidence trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus Comparability: Grade and trend are somewhat comparable to the 2011 assessment • 2011 • Assessment grade: Good Assessment trend: Stable Confidence grade: Limited evidence or limited consensus Confidence trend: Limited evidence or limited consensus ---------------------------------------- CHANGES SINCE 2016 SOE ASSESSMENT not supplied

Lineage Statement: QUALITY OF DATA USED IN THE ASSESSMENT High. Quantitative and standardised data collected using consistent methods by experienced observers.

Lineage

Notes Credit
Peer reviews of this assessment were provided by: Cath Samson (Parks Australia) Sallyann Gudge (NSW Department of Primary Industries)

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