Analysis of a time-series of benthic imagery from the South-east Marine Parks Network

This report provides the first insights into the distribution and changes through time of deep shelf (40 – 200 metre) seafloor habitats, biological communities, and species in Australian Marine Parks across the Southeast Marine Parks Network (the SE Network). Repeat photographic surveys of the seafloor at sites within Huon, Freycinet, Flinders and Beagle Marine Parks using the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) facility were conducted between 2009 and 2018.. Data from this imagery was used to build knowledge of where different species occur and how their abundances have changed over the survey period. This knowledge is important for ongoing monitoring of these ecosystems, as to be able to distinguish changes that may be because of protecting these ecosystems, or driven by perturbations such as warming events, there must first be an understanding of natural variability. Knowledge of the distribution of important species and how they vary through time is also key in helping researchers and managers decide on appropriate indicators and the design of the ongoing monitoring program to ensure that resources are directed to their best use.