Habitat Mapping

In the move towards sustainability in the coastal zone, planners and environmental decision makers need a good understanding of the character and spatial distribution of coastal habitats. Mangroves and saltmarshes are exmples of coastal habitats that are visible from land. Data derived from shallow water benthic habitat mapping techniques can provide fascinating insights into habitats occuring underwater, and have led to the discovery of submerged coral reefs and other features. Merged bathymetric and topographic Digital Elevation Models (in the format of 3D models) of the coast and shelf offer an exciting new perspective in which to view this dynamic environment, which has experienced major fluctuations in climate and sea level during the last few thousand years.

Interactive Habitat Extent and Distribution Mapping Interface

Make maps of habitats dominated by: mangroves, salt marsh, seagrass, coral, rock, sediment and unconsolidated substrates
Make maps of habitats dominated by:
mangroves, salt marsh, seagrass, coral, rock, sediment
and unconsolidated substrates.



Coastal water habitat mapping toolkit

Introduction; Benthic habtat mapping; Techniques; Case studies; Decision tree
Benthic habtat mapping: Mapping overview, How to describe habitats
Techniques: Single beam sounders, Multibeam and swath echosounders, Aerial Photography
Case studies: Abrolhos, Bowling Green Bay, Cape Byron Marine Park, Cockburn Sound, Fitzroy River/Keppel Bay, Marmion Marine Park, Moreton Bay, Parks Victoria, Recherche Archipelago, Sydney

NSW marine habitat mapping

Interactive 3D models

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  • Link to the Geoscience Australia website (new window)
  • the former Coastal CRC
  • Link to the National Land and Water Resource home page (new window)