This data was collected to improve our knowledge and understanding of the marine environment in the upper reaches of East and Middle Arms (Darwin Harbour), to assist planning and sustainable development for the new township. Data provide polygon data that map the benthic habitats (12 physical and biological categories) in the upper reaches of the harbour using remote-sensed and survey data. This dataset is being continually updated and is current as of 03/03/2016.

This project updates the 2019 predictive benthic habitat map, extending past the subtidal zone of the harbour to include intertidal habitats. The project worked with collaborators to synthesise existing data sets for inclusion in benthic habitat mapping process. Hydrodynamic model variables were updated and new digital elevation data included to provide a more accurate representation of the bed shear stress, waves and current. LiDAR surveys were conducted to fill in the gap between the IX bathymetric survey and the high tide water mark. The LiDAR survey data extended the existing bathymetry data. A total of 30 Towed video transects were conducted in areas predicted to have a high probability of benthic fauna occurrence based on the existing predictive model. The benthic habitat model was updated to include NTG historical data, new towed video data, hydrodynamic and light data.

Point data collected from video drops identifying benthic habitats such as seagrass, macroalgae and reef, collected during field work in 2007 to 2011. Used to support the Benthic Habitat Mapping project undertaken by DENR to map the nearshore benthic habitats of South Australia.

This polygon spatial dataset describes the mangrove communities for Darwin Harbour and its environs and was surveyed at a mapping scale of 1:25 000. The associated report notes an area of approximately 20,400 hectares of mangroves in Darwin Harbour and describes ten main mangrove associations or communities. The data provides a basis for identifying the extent and distribution of mangrove communities for Darwin Harbour and its environs.

This polygon spatial dataset describes the mangrove communities for Darwin Harbour and its environs and was surveyed at a mapping scale of 1:25 000. The associated report notes an area of approximately 20,400 hectares of mangroves in Darwin Harbour and describes ten main mangrove associations or communities. The data provides a basis for identifying the extent and distribution of mangrove communities for Darwin Harbour and its environs.

Benthic data were aggregated from multiple sources to create a baywide record of seabed material in the Chesapeake Bay. Habitat polygons are classified with an adaptation of the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) Substrate Component (SC). Source data were collected during the interval 1842-2014. Because of potential temporal changes in bottom conditions and deficiencies in survey methodology, benthic habitat characterizations may be in error in some areas. These are, however, the best data currently available. This is a subset of an original dataset which may be found here: http://ftp.ncbo.cgclientx.com/ecoscience/Chesapeake_Bay_Coastal_and_Marine_Ecological_Classification_Standard_CMECS/Metadata/MD_Bay_Bottom_Survey/. This dataset contains only acoustic (SONAR) surveyed data for Maryland and Maryland Bay Bottom Survey data. The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office makes no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the use or appropriateness of Spatial Data, and there are no warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use. The information contained in Spatial Data is from publicly available sources, but no representation is made as to the accuracy or completeness of Spatial Data. The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office shall not be subject to liability for human error, error due to software conversion, defect, or failure of machines, or any material used in the connection with the machines, including tapes, disks, CD-ROM's or DVD-ROM's and energy. The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office shall not be liable for any lost profits, consequential damages, or claims against the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office by third parties. The liability of the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office for damage regardless of the form of the action shall not exceed any distribution fees that may have been paid in obtaining Spatial Data.

Benthic data were aggregated from multiple sources to create a baywide record of seabed material in the Chesapeake Bay. Habitat polygons are classified with an adaptation of the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) Substrate Component (SC). Source data were collected during the interval 1842-2014. Because of potential temporal changes in bottom conditions and deficiencies in survey methodology, benthic habitat characterizations may be in error in some areas. These are, however, the best data currently available. This is a subset of an original dataset which may be found here: http://ftp.ncbo.cgclientx.com/ecoscience/Chesapeake_Bay_Coastal_and_Marine_Ecological_Classification_Standard_CMECS/Metadata/MD_Bay_Bottom_Survey/. This dataset contains only acoustic (SONAR) surveyed data for Maryland and Maryland Bay Bottom Survey data. The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office makes no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the use or appropriateness of Spatial Data, and there are no warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use. The information contained in Spatial Data is from publicly available sources, but no representation is made as to the accuracy or completeness of Spatial Data. The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office shall not be subject to liability for human error, error due to software conversion, defect, or failure of machines, or any material used in the connection with the machines, including tapes, disks, CD-ROM's or DVD-ROM's and energy. The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office shall not be liable for any lost profits, consequential damages, or claims against the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office by third parties. The liability of the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office for damage regardless of the form of the action shall not exceed any distribution fees that may have been paid in obtaining Spatial Data.

This polygon spatial dataset describes the benthic habitats likely to occur in marine environments around Gunn Point Peninsula and informs the desktop assessment of the marine biodiversity values for the region. The benthic habitats are inferred from existing information but in most cases require further data collection to validate and refine. Habitat modelling forms the basis of benthic community value assessment for Shoal Bay (Galaiduk et al. 2019). The accompanying report Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Assessment of the Gunn Point Area (2020) forms part of the Mapping the Future Project - Gunn Point. This project has identified land capability, water availability and biodiversity values to support land planning and inform development potential over the Gunn Point area. Reports and maps can be viewed from the webpage: denr.nt.gov.au/land-resource-management/development-opportunities Development Potential of the Gunn Point Area (2020) Biodiversity Assessment of the Gunn Point Area (2020) Groundwater Resources of the Gunn Point Area (2020) Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Assessment of the Gunn Point Area (2020) Soil and Land Resources of the Gunn Point Area (2020) Soil and Land Suitability Assessment for Irrigated Agriculture in the Gunn Point Area (2017) Vegetation Communities of the Gunn Point Area (2020)

The abundance and distribution of benthic organisms and communities at both broad and fine scales were surveyed at Montgomery Reef in March and July 2009. Due to the logistical constraints placed on sampling techniques by the macrotidal changes around Montgomery Reef, three sampling techniques were employed to obtain imagery of the benthic environment between the depths of 0 and 53 metres.Reef Walks:With much of the reef edge exposed at low tide, the shallowest sections of the reef (0 to ~6 metres) could be sampled whilst walking across the exposed reef. Digital cameras (Ricoh GX100) were held at 1~1.2 metres above the reef with 1 photograph taken approximately every 2 metres. Teams of researchers walked in parallel, with 3-4 camera deployed simultaneously at a site. Each camera was synchronised with a GPS providing accurate positional information (2 - 5 metres) from which each image could later be georeferenced. Reef walks were conducted to the northeast, southeast, northwest and southwest. Tripod Camera:A simple tripod camera system developed by A. Heyward was trialled to sample the turbid shallow waters between 2 and 16 metres. Each system consisted of a camera tripod with a downward facing digital camera (Ricoh GX100) attached 600mm above the ground and set to photograph every 5 seconds. Each camera was synchronised with a GPS providing accurate positional information from which individual images could later be georeferenced. The tripod systems were attached to 20 metres of rope and lowered off the side of a tender to the bottom and held for a minimum of 5 seconds to allow the camera to complete at least one image while the tripod was located firmly on the substrate. It was noted that using underwater strobes generally reduced image quality. As a result the strobes were turned off and only natural light was relied on for photography. During retrieval the tender was allowed to drift with prevailing wind and tide, with images of the benthos effectively taken every 2 to 5 metres. The start of each transect position allowed the length of each drift to be monitored, so that transects of a nominal length, often around 200m, could be completed before moving the tender to a new location. The advantage of the technique is that even in very turbid water, high resolution digital stills are obtained with the stability afforded by the tripod allowing for cameras to be set with a longer exposure letting in maximum light.Towed Video:The AIMS towed video system was used to survey the deeper water (between 10 and 53 metres) to the north and south of the reef. The system was flown at approximately 1 metre above the sea floor with real time analysis of the video footage (AIMS Towvid) used to examine the broad scale distribution of dominant benthic biota. In addition to video footage, a downward facing digital still camera was attached to the bottom of the towed body. The camera was set to photograph the benthos approximately every 5 metres. The high resolution images allowed for a more detailed assessment of the benthic community. The objectives of the research were three-fold:1. to provide a broad- and fine-scale characterisation the benthic communities and substratum at Montgomery Reef2. to identify similarities and differences in the benthic communities examined and3. to undertake a detailed spatial analysis to examine and map the distribution of these benthic organisms and communities.This research was the first detailed quantitative survey of the benthic communities of Montgomery Reef. Univariate, multivariate and spatial statistics are employed to examine both the similarities and differences in the distribution and relative abundance of these benthic communities. This study is part of a broader regional survey of the Kimberley fringing reefs initiated by AIMS in 2009.

This report is the third of three reports that provide the scientific analyses and interpretations resulting from a four-year collaborative habitat mapping program undertaken within the Darwin and Bynoe Harbour region by Geoscience Australia (GA), the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and the Northern Territory Government Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). This program was made possible through offset funds provided by the INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG Project to DENR, and co-investments from GA and AIMS.