Biological Regionalisation Data for Australia (from CSIRO Bioregionalisation Project 1996)

This dataset presents an interim provincial-scale bioregionalisation for the shelf region of the Australian EEZ. The regionalisations were derived from RAP (Rapid Assessment Procedure) analyses of available fish distribution data. The dynamic evolution of the marine biota and the extensive mixing of species assemblages is catered for by the introduction of biotones. Bioregions are shown to be extensive and highly diverse, containing species from a number of core provinces. A provincial scale bioregionalisation was derived for the pelagic and demersal systems separately. The pelagic bioregionalisation comprises 4 bioregions (two provinces and two zootones) of much more extensive spatial scale that the demersal bioregionalisation (17 bioregions, 9 provinces and 8 biotones). Distribution maps for approx. 150 key fish species used to construct the bioregions are indexed separately (see graphics link and "related datasets"). The data are also linked to oceanographic regionalisation data (see documentation link for details).