Satellite Mapping of Bathymetry and Habitats of Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island Marine Parks

Parks Australia - Our Marine Parks Grants Round 3 Project: Satellite Mapping of Bathymetry and Habitats of Ashmore and Cartier Island Marine ParksThis project aimed to map the satellite-derived bathymetry (SDB) and benthic habitats at 2m horizontal spatial resolution, for the shallow waters (~0-25 m) of the Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island Marine Parks. These critical geospatial data layers provide the essential environmental baseline information for the long-term monitoring and management of these Marine Parks. Mapping the shallow water zone is of importance both from an environmental and socioeconomic perspective. Having access to digital, georeferenced, high-resolution, satellite-derived maps of bathymetry and benthic habitats of shallow water areas, is of fundamental use in the areas of navigation, ecological research, environmental modelling, management and conservation, and monitoring the impacts from climate change.