Biodiversity has been invoked as a cornerstone of ecosystem maintenance, a source of useful products, and the reason for the high aesthetic and conservation values associated with habitats such as coral reefs. This Project seeks to elevate awareness of marine biodiversity, catalogue its attributes, understand its origins, conserve its values within a multiple use framework, and contribute to its preservation through research supporting the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas (NRSMPA). Research methodology and results from this Project will be extended globally through the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), which is coordinated from AIMS.

• Program 1 Objective 6 To understand marine biodiversity and biological processes in Australia's oceans
• Program 1 Objective 7 To understand the dynamics of Australia's marine habitats and ecosystems
• Program 2 Objective 3 To provide the scientific basis for the planning and implementation of sustainable multiple use practices in our marine environment
• Program 2 Objective 12 To support ecologically sustainable coastal and marine tourism and recreation
• Program 3 Objective 3 To implement systematic, coordinated and long-term marine observational programs
• Program 3 Objective 5 To build professional expertise and knowledge through increased involvement in regional and global marine science and technology programs

• Mapping habitats and biodiversity resources. Baseline surveys of fauna and flora need to be done for a number of purposes, including environmental impact assessment and natural resource management. Detailed studies, especially of new habitats, often require extensive effort in taxonomy. Genetic analyses reveal a different dimension to biodiversity and can detect cryptic species. Remote techniques are being developed to explore habitats and biota at depths below safe SCUBA operations.
• Marine protected areas. The creation of "no-take" reserves is one of the most effective mechanisms for protecting biodiversity resources provided that MPAs satisfy minimum design criteria. Genetic analyses provide an essential input into this process by revealing levels of gene flow among locations.
• Synthesis and communication strategies. Distribution and abundance data can be described with maps but complex multi-layered maps require modern Geographical Information Systems (GIS) especially when some of the layers are habitat description variables. Analyses will be designed to reduce the mass of complex information into simpler products useful for biodiversity conservation. These products will be distributed through books, interactive CD-ROM products, and collaborative networks.

• To provide scientific knowledge to activities supporting the conservation of marine biodiversity such as the Representative Areas program of GBRMPA, the National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas, and the Regional Marine Planning initiatives promoted by Australia's Oceans Policy
• To increase AIMS capacity to explore and monitor the full range of coastal and subtidal habitats occurring in northern Australia, with an immediate emphasis on deeper habitats (such as the seafloor and continental slope)
• To use molecular tools for tracking the connectivity (exchange of spawn) of populations as a necessary adjunct to establishing design criteria for MPAs
• To understand the evolutionary framework of Australia's megadiverse marine resources through the study of modern biogeographical patterns in the fauna and flora
• To support appropriate studies of marine taxonomy of the Australian fauna and flora, especially those that offer opportunities for postgraduate training in this discipline
• To promote awareness of marine biodiversity issues throughout the tropics through participation in international advisory and /or collaborative programs, especially those aimed at building regional capacity in other nations

Key clients and stakeholders
CALM, CMR, CRC (GBRWHA), EA, Fisheries WA, FRDC, GBRMPA, QFS, QSIA,WA DEP, international aid donors, educators, international conservation agencies, marine parks managers, NGOs, oil and gas exploration industries

Funding base (2000-01 figures)
$1,304,915 (Appropriations)
$795,556 (External contracts at 1 July 2000)

Contact
Dr Andrew Heyward
Ph: (08) 9183 1122. 
Fax: (08) 9183 1085. 
Email: a.heyward@aims.gov.au

Regional marine planning initiatives along Australia's northwest coast and adjacent ocean territories are a high priority for State and Commonwealth agencies, including AIMS. The WA Government has created a Marine Parks and Reserves Authority to plan and implement a number of MPAs in the State's tropical waters. The two highest priorities for development as multiple use marine reserves in this region are the Dampier Archipelago (adjacent to AIMS facility in WA) and the Montebello Islands.

Development of marine management plans by CALM will require new information on the distribution of sensitive habitats and further understanding of key ecological processes that sustain important marine communities. Similar knowledge is required by the WA DEP to support its multi-sectoral management study of the North West Shelf (NWS JMEMS); in which, AIMS is a supporting partner freely contributing its data.

In addition, the Commonwealth has significant interests in a number of MPAs in north Western Australia. These include plans for Ningaloo Reef, Montebello Islands, Rowley Shoals, Christmas/Cocos Islands, and the Ashmore/Cartier region. All of these initiatives also require data on the distribution of habitats and dynamics of key biota.

• To extend habitat and fauna mapping coverage in key areas of north Western Australia including Dampier Archipelago, Mermaid Reef Lagoon, Ashmore/Cartier Reefs, Christmas and Cocos Islands
• Provide baselines for fish populations at selected sites
• Investigate latitudinal gradients in coral recruitment and colony growth in WA

• Improved ability of other agencies to create plans of management for marine protected areas in State and Commonwealth waters of Western Australia
• A more complete inventory of marine biodiversity in shallow water habitats of northern Australia to complement the large amount of survey and monitoring data from the GBR
• Comparable data from reef communities in western and eastern Australia, which can isolate the impact of climate upon the dynamics of marine populations

Key clients and stakeholders
CALM, EA, oil and gas exploration industries

Research team
Andrew Halford, Andrew Heyward, Mark Meekan, Max Rees, Luke Smith

Contact
Dr Andrew Heyward
Ph: (08) 9183 1122. 
Fax: (08) 9183 1085. 
Email: a.heyward@aims.gov.au

Although coral reefs are the icon for biodiversity in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, there are many other reservoirs of diversity with their own unique fauna and flora. The inter-reefal seabed is one such environment providing habitats for buried infauna, plant meadows, and patches of sessile epibenthos wherever hard substratum emerges above the soft sediments. Large patches of the latter provide food and shelter for diverse assemblages of fishes and other mobile creatures.

The GBRWHA is a multiple use marine park that permits a variety of traditional extractions including otter trawling for edible prawns. This industry takes a substantial bycatch of benthos and unwanted fish. Repeated trawling is known to modify the seabed and reduce the cover of large sessile organisms. Extreme pressure on trawl grounds can alter the ecosystem so profoundly that fish communities change in composition.

In the last triennium, AIMS and CSIRO Marine collaborated in a study of sessile benthos in the central GBR, with an emphasis on the dynamics of patches of megabenthos and the use of them by roving fishes. In 2000-03, a large multi-institutional collaboration will be started to map sea-floor communities throughout the GBRWHA. This project, which is expected to last up to six years, will use vessels from AIMS and QDPI, specialised survey tools from CMR, personnel from five organisations (AIMS, CMR, GBRMPA, QDPI, QM) and cash from the CRC (GBRWHA) and external funding agencies.

• Form a research consortium prepared to share resources and skills to undertake this large scale and long-term study of seabed biodiversity in the GBRWHA
• Secure adequate funding from CRC (GBRWHA) and R&D agencies (e.g. FRDC)
• Sample 500 stations per annum for at least three years with various gears
• Determine environmental proxies that predict the abundance of common fauna and use these surrogates to complement the direct sampling
• Construct maps of distribution and abundance for common taxa
• Identify biodiversity hotspots
• Identify rare and/or threatened habitats and species
• Provide descriptive data on biodiversity that can be used to evaluate alternative scenarios (including marine protected areas) for human use of the WHA

• Provide scientific knowledge that will assist GBRMPA to determine how well its "Representative Areas Program" has met its goals of conserving habitats and biodiversity
• Provide scientific knowledge that one of the partners (CMR) will use in trawl scenario evaluations to determine the sustainability parameters of this industry

Key clients and stakeholders
CRC (GBRWHA), EA, GBRMPA, QSIA

Research team
Mike Cappo, Peter Doherty, Elizabeth Evans-Illidge, Gavin Ericson, Jurgen Otto, Peter Speare, Carsten Wolff

Contact
Mike Cappo
Ph: (07) 4753 4262. 
Fax: (07) 4772 5852. 
Email: m.cappo@aims.gov.au

Much of the megadiversity of Australia's tropical marine ecosystems is unknown. As anthropogenic pressures mount on the marine environment, there is an urgent need to understand the mechanisms influencing biodiversity and to develop conservation strategies, such as marine protected areas, that will allow sustainable use of this invaluable resource.

This Subproject will use genetic analysis of selected reef biota to provide greater insight into the historical and environmental factors that have contributed to the patterns of biodiversity observed today. This will provide a better context within which to assess the utility of management plans designed to conserve marine biodiversity. Patterns of dispersal inferred for a number of species will be used to assess the efficacy of connections assumed between marine protected areas, and test source-sink models in collaboration with other groups.

• Survey patterns of genetic variation in the Indo-Pacific and northern Australia
• Infer major influences on the evolution and maintenance of genetic diversity
• Determine patterns and levels of gene flow between reefs
• Apply knowledge of gene flow to the design of marine protected areas
• Compare genetic variation in reef organisms with different disturbance histories
• Determine the sources and extent of recruitment of exploited sea cucumbers

• Improved knowledge of the origin of biodiversity in the Indo-Pacific, and its relationship to the Australian biota, to assist regional biodiversity management
• Information on gene flow and dispersal to manage marine resources and assess the effectiveness of marine protected areas
• Direct assessment of the genetic impacts on reef organisms of major agents of change such as bleaching, predation and cyclones
• Improved basis for the sustainable exploitation of sea cucumbers

Key clients and stakeholders
CALM, CRC (GBRWHA), EA, Fisheries WA, FRDC, GBRMPA, QFS, international conservation agencies, marine parks managers

Research team
Madeleine van Oppen, Beth Ballment, Lesa Peplow, Carolyn Smith (PGS), Sven Uthicke

Contact
Madeleine van Oppen
Ph: (07) 4753 4370. 
Fax: (07) 4772 5852. 
Email: m.vanoppen@aims.gov.au

Stony corals are the framework builders of coral reefs and a very diverse group of organisms. AIMS has been a leader in the taxonomy, systematics and biogeography of modern corals. The results of two decades of research on their distribution, abundance and identity from most parts of the World are now being summarised into global databases and taxonomic tools. This information will be distributed to end-users through books, CD-ROMs and Internet products.

This subproject is concluding a long-term undertaking designed to provide a taxonomic and biogeographic basis for international coral reef conservation activities. In this phase, it will focus on disseminating information and building research capacity; while using the accumulated knowledge on ecology and systematics to continue to research the evolution and biogeography of this group of animals.

• Publish the three volume book Corals of the World
• Publish a taxonomic monograph on new species described in Corals of the World
• Publish the CD-ROM "Coral ID"
• Produce GIS-based products relevant to international conservation activities
• Improve understanding of the biogeography and evolution of reef corals

• Improve knowledge of coral biodiversity issues in support of global efforts to conserve coral reefs, mainly by disseminating useful quality products on taxonomy and building capacity in other nations where reefs are most under threat
• Contribute to scholarship on corals through the synthesis of an enormous amount of primary information collected from reefs of the World

Key clients and stakeholders
Science community, educators, marine park managers, NGOs, public

Research team
Katharina Fabricius, Mary Stafford-Smith, John (Charlie) Veron

Contact
Dr Charlie Veron
Ph: (07) 4753 4274. 
Fax: (07) 4772 5852. 
Email: j.veron@aims.gov.au

There is increasing anecdotal evidence that the world's coral reefs are in serious decline from direct anthropogenic impacts (over-harvesting, destructive fishing practices, pollution) and possibly from global climate change. In many places, however, there is a lack of hard data on reef status that can be used to determine the degree of risk and the source of major impacts. In response, the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network was established as an operational unit of the International Coral Reef Initiative.

The purpose of the GCRMN is to establish the status of coral reefs in all countries of the world. The GCRMN office is supported by AIMS and the current Coordinator is a senior AIMS scientist. GCRMN draws upon the expertise within AIMS on reef monitoring, data analysis and reporting to assist all countries with coral reefs to establish local monitoring networks. Simultaneously, the GCRMN is using monitoring data as a powerful awareness tool to alert stakeholders to the plight of their reefs and to introduce appropriate counter measures.

• To promote the concept and goals of GCRMN
• To persuade international donors to fund the GCRMN and "in country" programs
• To extend the network of decentralised monitoring initiatives
• To provide sufficient training, resources, and assistance to achieve effective monitoring by each of the nodes in the global network
• To ensure that data on reef status is archived in an accessible format after appropriate quality assurance and later made available for use by others
• To report biannually on the status of the World's coral reefs
• To publish and publicise global reef summaries in order to raise the profile of coral reefs in national and international forums

• Improved management of reef resources in the 80 countries forming operational nodes within the GCRMN
• Increased awareness of the threats to coral reefs at all levels of society: major agencies (e.g. UN General Assembly), aid donors, NGOs, national governments, local communities.

Key clients and stakeholders
Coastal communities dependent upon coral reef resources, governments at all levels, international aid donors, global humanitarian agencies

Research team
Clive Wilkinson (GCRMN Coordinator)

Contact
Dr Clive Wilkinson
Ph: (07) 4753 4372. 
Fax: (07) 4772 5852. 
Email: c.wilkinson@aims.gov.au