Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Northwest Australia

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems

Part of the book series: Coral Reefs of the World ((CORW,volume 12))

Abstract

The northwest continental shelf of Australia supports a series of emergent reefs toward the western edge and a chain of submerged shoals extending eastward along the Sahul Shelf. Hard corals and calcareous algae are major components of the benthos in the upper mesophotic regions (30–60 m) on both reefs and shoals. These habitats transition to heterotrophic-dominated communities at around 60 m depth in clear water at shelf-edge locations. While mixed hard coral communities of moderate diversity are commonly encountered, characteristic upper mesophotic coral habitats include dense areas of foliaceous species from the families Agaricidae and Acroporidae in depths of 40–60 m. Extensive fields of fungiid corals can be found occupying unconsolidated substrates at similar depths on both reefs and shoals. The alternate ecological stages of otherwise geomorphically similar shoals provide evidence of shoal scale temporal stochasticity in recruitment and disturbance events. Green calcareous algae of the genus Halimeda can be abundant and are a major sediment producer in shoal bioherms. Taxonomic studies have been focused on the shallow reefs of the region, with collection of voucher specimens from mesophotic depths lacking from the majority of reef and shoal locations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 299.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 379.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Model accuracy was evaluated using one third of the towed video data as blind validation and area under the curve (AUC) analysis, whereby the larger the AUC, the more robust the model for prediction. Models with AUC > 0.8 have high predictive power, values between 0.7 and 0.8 are acceptable, and models with AUC of < 0.5 have no power of discrimination (Fawcett 2006). As presented in Fig. 19.5, the AUC values for all benthic groups exceeded 0.8 for each benthic group (range 0.82–0.94), indicating the distributions of habitats shown is highly probable.

References

  • Baker EK, Puglise KA, Harris PT (eds) (2016) Mesophotic coral ecosystems—a lifeboat for coral reefs? The United Nations Environment Programme and GRID-Arendal, Nairobi and Arendal 98 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Bax NJ, Hedge P (eds) (2015) Marine Biodiversity Hub, National Environmental Research Program, Final report 2011–2015. Report to Department of the Environment. Canberra, Australia. https://www.nespmarine.edu.au/system/files/1%20NERP%20Marine%20Biodiversity%20Hub%20final%20report%20Jun10%202015%20WEB.pdf. Accessed 27 Oct 2017

  • Berry PF (1993) Part 1: Historical background, description of the physical environments of Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island and notes on exploited species. In: Berry PF (ed) Marine faunal surveys of Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island north-western Australia. Rec West Aust Mus Suppl 44:1–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Berry PF, Marsh LM (1986) History of investigation and description of the physical environment. In: Berry PF (ed) Faunal surveys of the Rowley Shoals, Scott Reef and Seringapatam Reef, north-western Australia. Rec West Aust Mus Suppl 25:1–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Bialek D (2004) The Timor Sea Treaty and the International Unitisation Agreement for Greater Sunrise: Practical solutions in the Timor Sea. http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/AUYrBkIntLaw/2004/7. Accessed 26 July 2017

  • Breiman L (2001) Random forests. Mach Learn 45(1):5–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper TF, Ulstrup KE, Dandan SS, Heyward AJ, Kuhl M et al (2011) Niche specialization of reef-building corals in the mesophotic zone: metabolic trade-offs between divergent Symbiodinium types. Proc Biol Sci 278:1840–1850

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cresswell G, Frische A, Peterson J, Quadfasel D (1993) Circulation in the Timor Sea. J Geophys Res Oceans 8(C8):14379–14389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cutler DR, Edwards TC, Beard KH, Cutler A, Hess KT, Gibson J, Lawler JJ (2007) Random forests for classification in ecology. Ecology 88(11):2783–2792

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fawcett T (2006) An introduction to ROC analysis. Pattern Recogn Lett 27:861–374

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher R, Radford BT, Knowlton N, Brainard RE, Michaelis FB, Caley MJ (2011) Global mismatch between research effort and conservation needs of tropical coral reefs. Conserv Lett 4(1):64–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fromont J, Vanderklift MA, (2009). Porifera (sponges) of Mermaid, Scott and Seringapatam Reefs, north western Australia. Rec West Aust Mus Suppl 77: 89–103

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilmour JP, Smith LD (2006) Category 5 cyclone at Scott Reef, northwestern Australia. Coral Reefs 25(2):200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilmour JP, Smith LD, Heyward AJ, Baird AH, Pratchett MS (2013a) Recovery of an isolated coral reef system following severe disturbance. Science 340:69–71

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gilmour J, Smith L, Cook K, Pincock S (2013b) Discovering Scott Reef: 20 years of exploration and research. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville

    Google Scholar 

  • Gittenberger A, Reijnen BT, Hoeksema BW (2011) A molecularly based phylogeny reconstruction of mushroom corals (Scleractinia: Fungiidae) with taxonomic consequences and evolutionary implications for life history traits. Contrib Zool 80:107–132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heap AD, Harris PT (2008) Geomorphology of the Australian margin and adjacent seafloor. Aust J Earth Sci 55(4):555–585

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heyward AJ, Collins JD (1985) Fragmentation in Montipora ramosa: the genet and ramet concept applied to a reef coral. Coral Reefs 4(1):35–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heyward A, Pinceratto E, Smith L (1997) Big Bank shoals of the Timor Sea: an environmental resource atlas. Australian Institute of Marine Science/BHP Petroleum, Townsville

    Google Scholar 

  • Heyward A, Rees M, Cappo M, Smith L, Speare P, Halford A (2000) Characterisation of Scott Reef lagoon biota – fish and macrobenthos. Report on the Scott Reef biological survey expedition, December 1999. Available at https://apps.aims.gov.au/metadata/view/cf2243fe-4e55-463d-a4bc-60cc9c681e63. Accessed 10 Feb 2018

  • Heyward A, Rees M, Smith L, Guinotte J, Cappo M, Speare P (2007) Seduced by SCUBA? Depth provides a refuge for coral reefs. Abstract. Australian Coral Reef Society Symposium, Fremantle

    Google Scholar 

  • Heyward A, Jones R, Meeuwig J, Burns K, Radford B, Colquhoun J, Cappo M, Case M, O’Leary R, Fisher R, Meekan M, Stowar M (2012) Monitoring study S5 banks and shoals, Montara 2011 offshore banks assessment survey. Available at https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/bcefac9b-ebc5-4013-9c88-a356280c202c/files/2011-offshore-banks-assessment-survey.pdf. Accessed 27 Oct 2017

  • Heyward A, Radford R, Cappo M, Wakeford M, Fisher R, Colquhoun J, Case M, Stowar M, Miller K (2017) Barossa environmental baseline study 2015 final report. Available at https://www.nopsema.gov.au/assets/OPPs/Barossa-Area-Development-Offshore-project-proposal-for-comment-Appendices.pdf. Appendix F. AIMS Regional Shoals Assessment. Accessed 27 Oct 2017

  • Heyward A, Colquhoun J, Cripps E, McCorry D, Stowar M, Radford B, Miller K, Miller I, Battershill C (2018) No evidence of damage to the soft tissue or skeletal integrity of mesophotic corals exposed to a 3D marine seismic survey. Mar Pollut Bull 129:8–13

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Highsmith RC (1982) Reproduction by fragmentation in corals. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 7:207–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hinderstein LM, Marr JCA, Martinez FA, Dowgiallo MJ, Puglise KA, Pyle RL, Zawada DG, Appeldoorn R (2010) Theme section on “Mesophotic coral ecosystems: characterization, ecology, and management.” Coral Reefs 29(2):247–251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holmes KW, Van Niel KP, Radford B, Kendrick GA, Grove SL (2008) Modelling distribution of marine benthos from hydroacoustics and underwater video. Cont Shelf Res 28(14):1800–1810

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hooper JNA (1994) Coral reef sponges of the Sahul Shelf — a case for habitat preservation. Memoirs QLD Museum 36(1):93–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Huisman JA, Sampey A (2014) Kimberley marine biota. Historical data: marine plants. Rec West Aust Mus Suppl 84:45–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huisman JM, Leliaert F, Verbruggen H, Townsend RA (2009) Marine benthic plants of western Australia’s shelf-edge atolls. Rec West Aust Mus Suppl 77:50–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IMCRA (2006) A guide to The Integrated Marine and Coastal Regionalisation of Australia – Version 4.0 June 2006 (IMCRA v4.0). Department of the Environment and Heritage, 2006. Available at http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/2660e2d2-7623-459d-bcab-1110265d2c86/files/map2-msb.pdf. Accessed 31 July 2017

  • Laverick JH, Andradi-Brown DA, Exton DA, Bongaerts P, Tcl B, Lesser MP, Pyle RL, Slattery M, Wagner D, Rogers AD (2016) To what extent do mesophotic coral ecosystems and shallow reefs share species of conservation interest? Environ Evid 5:16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lesser MP, Slattery M, Leichter JJ (2009) Ecology of mesophotic coral reefs. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 375:1–8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Littler MM, Littler DS, Brooks BL, Koven JF (1997) A unique coral reef formation discovered on the great astrolabe reef, Fiji. Coral Reefs 16:51–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loya Y, Eyal G, Treibitz T, Lesser MP, Appeldoorn R (2016) Theme section on mesophotic coral ecosystems: advances in knowledge and future perspectives. Coral Reefs 35(1):1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKinney D (2009) A survey of the scleractinian corals at mermaid, Scott, and Seringapatam reefs, western Australia. Rec West Aust Mus Suppl 77:105–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore CH, Radford BT, Possingham HP, Heyward AJ, Stewart RR, Watts ME, Prescott J, Newman SJ, Harvey ES, Fisher R, Bryce CW, Lowe RJ, Berry O, Espinosa-Gayosso A, Sporer E, Saunders T (2016) Improving spatial prioritisation for remote marine regions: optimising biodiversity conservation and sustainable development trade-offs. Sci Rep 6:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moore C, Cappo M, Radford B, Heyward A (2017) Submerged oceanic shoals of north western Australia are a major reservoir of marine biodiversity. Coral Reefs 36(3):719–734

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nichol SL, Howard FJF, Kool J, Stowar M, Bouchet P, Radke L, Siwabessy J, Przeslawski R, Picard K, Alvarez De Glasby B, Colquhoun J, Letessier T Heyward A. (2013). Oceanic Shoals Commonwealth Marine Reserve (Timor Sea) Biodiversity Survey: GA0339/SOL5650 – Post Survey Report, Record 2013/38, Geoscience Australia, Canberra. Available at https://d28rz98at9flks.cloudfront.net/76658/Rec2013_038.pdf. Accessed 27 Oct 2017

  • Pinceratto EJ, Oliver G (1996) Cooperative industry approach to environmental investigations in the Timor Sea. APPEA J 36(1):650–664

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Preobrazhensky BV (1993) Contemporary Reefs. Russian Translation series 100. Translation of Sovremennie rifi, Nauka, Moscow. AA. Balkema, Rotterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Przeslawski R, Alvarez B, Battershill C, Smith T (2014) Sponge biodiversity and ecology of the Van Diemen rise and Eastern Joseph Bonaparte Gulf, northern Australia. Hydrobiologia 730:1–16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Przeslawski R, Alvarez B, Kool J, Bridge T, Caley MJ, Nichol S (2015) Implications of sponge biodiversity patterns for the management of a marine reserve in northern Australia. PLoS ONE 10(11):e0141813

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richards ZT, Bryce M, Bryce C (2013) New records of atypical coral reef habitat in the Kimberley, Australia. J Mar Biol 2013:363894

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richards ZT, Sampey A, Marsh L (2014) Marine biodiversity of the Kimberley 1880s–2009, in Kimberley marine biota. Historical data: scleractinian corals. Rec West Aust Mus Suppl 84:111–132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richards ZT, Garcia RA, Wallace CC, Rosser NL, Muir PR (2015) A diverse assemblage of reef corals thriving in a dynamic intertidal reef setting (Bonaparte Archipelago, Kimberley, Australia). PLoS ONE 10(2):e0117791

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skewes TD, Dennis DM, Jacobs DR, Gordon SR, Taranto TJ, Haywood M, Pitcher CR, Smith GP, Milton D, Poiner IR (1999) Survey and stock size estimates of the shallow reef (0–15 m deep) and shoal area (15–50 m deep) marine resources and habitat mapping within the Timor Sea MOU74 box. CSIRO Marine Research, Hobart

    Google Scholar 

  • Teichert C, Fairbridge RW (1948) Some coral reefs of the Sahul Shelf. Geogr Rev 38(2):222–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas CJ, Bridge TC, Figueiredo J, Deleersnijder E, Hanert E (2015) Connectivity between submerged and near-sea-surface coral reefs: can submerged reef populations act as refuges? Divers Distrib 21(10):1254–1266

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Oppen MJH, Bongaerts P, Underwood JN, Peplow LM, Cooper TF (2011) The role of deep reefs in shallow reef recovery: an assessment of vertical connectivity in a brooding coral from west and East Australia. Mol Ecol 20:1647–1660

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wallace CC (1999) Staghorn corals of the world: a revision of the coral genus Acropora. CSIRO publishing, Collingwood

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Wienberg C, Westphal H, Kwoll E, Hebbeln D (2010) An isolated carbonate knoll in the Timor Sea (Sahul Shelf, NW Australia): facies zonation and sediment composition. Facies 56:179–193

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson B (2013) The biogeography of the Australian North West shelf: environmental change and life’s response, 1st edn. Elsevier, Sydney

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Seabed biodiversity surveys of reefs and shoals in this region require ship-based expeditions. We wish to thank the masters and crews of the research vessels R/V Solander, R/V Cape Ferguson, and R/V Falkor for the many courtesies and unflagging support extended to us over multiple voyages. Marcus Stowar, Jamie Colquhoun, Mary Wakeford, and Mark Case receive our sincere thanks for extraordinary efforts with field operations, image analysis, and data management. Ongoing surveys at Scott Reef have been supported by Woodside Energy Limited, operator of permit WA33P on behalf of the Browse joint venture partners. The most recent ROV assessment of the mesophotic lagoon at Scott Reef was undertaken with support from the Schmidt Ocean Institute. We acknowledge PTTEP Australasia Ltd.’s support of surveys at Heywood Shoal, Conoco Phillips Ltd. at Evans Shoal, and a joint voyage under the auspices of the Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action (ATSEA) program to revisit Fungid Shoal.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Crawley, WA, Australia

    Andrew Heyward & Ben Radford

  2. Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia

    Andrew Heyward & Ben Radford

Authors
  1. Andrew Heyward
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ben Radford
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrew Heyward .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Yossi Loya

  2. National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Silver Spring, MD, USA

    Kimberly A. Puglise

  3. Biodiversity and Geosciences Program, Museum of Tropical Queensland, Queensland Museum Network, Townsville, QLD, Australia

    Tom C.L. Bridge

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Heyward, A., Radford, B. (2019). Northwest Australia. In: Loya, Y., Puglise, K., Bridge, T. (eds) Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems. Coral Reefs of the World, vol 12. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92735-0_19

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation