Exploring Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems of Australia’s Northwest Shelf (Ashmore Reef)

Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems (MCEs) are recognised for their economic and ecological value, and as potential refugia for shallow reefs affected by climate change. Focussing on submerged shoals of Australia’s Northwest shelf, we will trial data-capture methods and technologies for effective baseline characterisation of MCEs, providing a foundation for developing new sampling and analysis approaches for future monitoring, and enabling standardisation and comparability of MCE data globally.Biodiversity collections will ground-truth benthos classification from images, as well as providing material to study ecological processes including reproduction and connectivity. In combination, the outcomes will provide visibility and new insights to the diversity, ecology and importance of mesophotic reefs to ecosystem integrity of Australia’s Northwest Shelf, but also contribute to the development and accessibility of novel approaches to monitor and protect MCEs globally.