Key Ecological Features within the Temperate East Marine Region

Brief description

The East Bioregional Profile identified a number of ecological features that are of conservation value because of the role they play in the environment of theTemperate East Marine Region. Key ecological features (KEFs) meet one or more of the following criteria: 1. a species, group of species or a community with a regionally important ecological role (e.g. a predator, prey that affects a large biomass or a number of marine species); 2. a species, group of species or a community that is nationally or regionally important for biodiversity; 3. an area or habitat that is nationally or regionally important for: a) enhanced or high productivity (such as predictable upwellings - an upwelling occurs when cold nutrient rich waters from the bottom of the ocean rise to the surface); b) aggregations of marine life (such as feeding, resting, breeding or nursery areas); c) biodiversity and endemism (species which only occur in a specific area); or 4. a unique seafloor feature, with known or presumed ecological properties of regional significance. KEFs have been identified by the Australian Government on the basis of advice from scientists about the ecological processes and characteristics of the area. A workshop held in Perth in September 2006 also contributed to this scientific advice and helped to underpin the identification of key ecological features. 8 KEFs were identified in the Temperate East marine Region: 1. Tasmantid seamount chain 2. Lord Howe seamount chain 3. Norfolk Ridge 4. Canyons on the eastern continental slope 5. Shelf rocky reefs 6. Elizabeth and Middleton reefs 7. Upwelling off Fraser Island 8. Tasman Front and eddy field In order to create a spatial representation of KEFs for the Temperate East Marine Region, some interpretation of the information was required. DoE has made every effort to use the best available spatial information and best judgement on how to spatially represent the features based on the scientific advice provided. This does not preclude others from making their own interpretation of available information.

Lineage

Maintenance and Update Frequency: asNeeded

Statement: The Key Ecological Features layer in this dataset represent a modified set of features to those identified in the East Bioregional Profile. The Key Ecological Features (KEFs) polygon layer was created from information provided to DoE in science based workshops, discussions held with relevant scientific experts as part of the development of the East Bioregional Profile, and information contained in published research reports. In order to create a spatial representation of KEFs for the Temperate East Marine Region, some interpretation of the information was required. DoE has made every effort to use the best available spatial information and best judgement on how to spatially represent the features based on the scientific advice provided. This does not preclude others from making their own interpretation of available information. Following is more detailed information on the source of the spatial representation for individual KEFs for the Temperate East Marine Region 1. Tasmantid seamount chain is a prominent chain of submarine volcanoes extending into the Tasman Basin. This dataset represents areas identified in the Geoscience Australia geomorphic features data set as pinnacles, seamounts or guyots. 2. Lord Howe seamount chain supports the southernmost coral reefs in the world (Speare PJ, Cappo MC, Rees M, Brownlie J and Oxley WG (2004) Deeper Water Fish and Benthic Surveys in the Lord Howe Island Marine Park (Commonwealth Waters): February 2004. Australian Institute of Marine Science). Pinnacles, seamounts and guyots identified in the Geoscience Australia geomorphic features dataset were captured to represent these features. 3. Norfolk Ridge is a contiguous north-south feature at depths 1000 - 2000m connecting New Zealand, Norfolk Island, and New Caledonia with seamounts and other elevated features at 500 - 1000m depth. This dataset represents depth contours identified in the Geoscience Australia Bathymetric contours dataset 2005. 4. Canyons on the eastern continental slope data is a combination of partial datasets - shelf incising canyon head perimeters (CSIRO 2010) and Geomorphic features of the EEZ (Geoscience Australia 2004). 5. Shelf rocky reefs data accompanied the report to DoE titled "Key Ecological Features of the East and South-east Marine Regions: deep-reefs within 150-700m depths" R.J.Kloser and G.Keith, June 2010. 6. Elizabeth and Middleton reefs dataset represents areas identified in the Geoscience Australia geomorphic features data set as reefs, or cays. 7. Upwelling off Fraser Island - The location of the Upwelling off Fraser Island is indicative only and the data was provided by(CSIRO 2010). 8. Tasman Front and eddy field - The Tasman Front feature displays significant seasonal and annual variation. The location of the Tasman Front was derived through review of cumulative annual chlorophyll occurrence data provided by CSIRO. The polygons are indicative of the area of each Key Ecological Feature.