Marine Futures Project - Rottnest Island - reef habitat

The Marine Futures Project was designed to benchmark the current status of key Western Australian marine ecosystems, based on an improved understanding of the relationship between marine habitats, biodiversity and our use of these values. Approximately 1,500 km2 of seafloor were mapped using hydroacoustics (Reson 8101 Multibeam), and expected benthic habitats "ground-truthed" using towed video transects and baited remote underwater video systems. Both sources of information were then combined in a spatial predictive modelling framework to produce fine-scale habitat maps showing the extent of substrate types, biotic formations, etc. Surveys took place across 9 study areas, including Rottnest Island, a popular family holiday destination just 20 km off the Perth coast. One of the main drawcards of the island is the diverse marine life inhabiting the surounding waters, which Western Australian locals and tourists can experience by snorkelling, diving, boating and fishing. The marine environment around Rottnest includes seagrass meadows, kelp-covered reef tops, coral patches, and sponge gardens in deeper water. As a result of the warm, southward flowing Leeuwin Current, the island represents the southern limit of the distributions of many tropical corals and fish. The marine life around Rottnest therefore represents a unique mix of tropical and temperate species and habitats.海洋未来项目（Marine Futures Project）旨在基于对海洋栖息地、生物多样性与人类利用海洋资源间关联的深化认知，对西澳大利亚州重点海洋生态系统的现状开展基准评估。研究团队采用水声测绘技术（Reson 8101多波束测深系统）完成了约1500平方千米的海底制图，并通过拖曳视频样带与诱饵式远程水下视频系统对预设底栖生境开展实地验证（ground-truthing）。随后将两类数据源整合至空间预测建模框架中，生成可展示底质类型、生物群落结构等分布范围的精细尺度生境地图。 本次调查覆盖9个研究区域，其中包括距珀斯海岸仅20千米的热门家庭度假胜地罗特内斯特岛（Rottnest Island）。该岛的核心吸引力之一便是周边海域孕育的多样海洋生物，西澳大利亚州本地居民与游客可通过浮潜、水肺潜水、乘船游览与垂钓等方式体验这片海域的生态魅力。 罗特内斯特岛周边的海洋环境涵盖海草床、覆有褐藻的礁顶、珊瑚斑块以及深水区域的海绵群落（sponge gardens）。受向南流动的温暖勒文海流（Leeuwin Current）影响，该岛是众多热带珊瑚与鱼类的分布南界。因此，罗特内斯特岛周边的海洋生物兼具热带与温带物种及生境特征，形成了独特的混合生态系统。