Project methods and station geomorphology related to a multi-taxon survey (2009–2014) of the Kimberley

Abstract

-The marine environments off the Kimberley coast are being subjected to ever increasing human-induced pressures, with little known of the region's marine biodiversity, and therefore, which conservation approaches are appropriate. Consequently, the Western Australian Museum with partner agencies undertook to survey the region over a six year period (2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014). Thirty eight locations involving 179 survey stations were visited within the defined P roject A rea, w hich r anged f rom t he Kimberley coast to the continental shelf edge. Geomorphic data from these stations, along with additional data from a 2006 survey, were incorporated into the analyses, providing a total of 224 survey stations. Analyses revealed a three-way differentiation of the surveyed stations demonstrating continental shelf zonation, an intertidal and subtidal distinction and a turbidity gradation.

Soft coral and sea fan (Octocorallia) biodiversity and distribution from a multitaxon survey (2009–2014) of the shallow tropical Kimberley, Western Australia

“…The Kimberley inshore (shoreline to 50 m bathymetry as defined by Bryce et al 2018) is characterised by relatively turbid, macrotidal, nutrient rich conditions, with connectivity regimes controlled by local currents influenced by seasonal winds and tidal flows (Figure 2A, C). Within the midshelf (51-150 m bathymetry) are submerged shoals (Vulcan, Eugene McDermott, Heywood and Echuca Shoals) with a hard rock foundation and low coral cover and Browse Island (Heyward et al 2012, Wilson 2014.The offshore area (>150 m bathymetry) includes Ashmore and Hibernia Reefs in the north and Rowley Shoals in the south, all situated on the edge of the continental shelf approximately 300 km off the coast (Figure 1).…”

“…prevailing macrotidal regime of the region (see Bryce et al 2018 ). All specimens have been registered and deposited in the WAM, Perth.…”

“…Maps of species richness and sampling effort were generated for each main location. The full list of locations, latitude and longitude and other relevant collection information for all taxa is in Bryce et al (2018), Table 1.…”

“…The complex environmental differences and drivers occurring in the area, such as the origin of seabed sediments, nutrient levels and turbidity, tidal regimes and currents, as well as differences in levels of connectivity, account for distinctive offshore and inshore reefal communities, and this was clearly reflected in octocoral species community composition and distribution (Wilson 2014;Bryce et al 2018). Main vectors driving the cross shelf distribution of benthic organisms in the Project Area were the high cover of rock, silt and hard corals at the inshore locations, and the high cover of turf algae, coralline algae, sand, rubble, and soft corals in the offshore regions.…”

First Report of the Coral-Killing Sponge Terpios hoshinota Rützler and Muzik, 1993 in Western Australia: A New Threat to Kimberley Coral Reefs?

“…Historic Kimberley sponge collections in museums throughout Australia were assessed and resulted in the recording of 342 species, but not T. hoshinota [39]. More recently (2009-2014), multi-taxon diversity was surveyed at 179 stations (inshore, offshore, intertidal and subtidal) throughout the Kimberley, including the Bonaparte Archipelago [40], but T. hoshinota was not detected. This suggests T. hoshinota may have arrived recently in the Kimberley, possibly after 2014, although it may have been there longer but not detected.…”