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Published VersionCC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Spatial and temporal variation of marine megafauna off coastal beaches of south-eastern Queensland, Australia
Marine and Freshwater Research, Vol.75(15), pp.1-14
2024
Abstract
Context
Coastal beach environments provide habitats for marine megafauna, including turtles, rays, marine mammals and sharks. However, accessing these variable energy zones has been difficult for researchers by using traditional methods.
Aims
This study used drone-based aerial surveys to assess spatio-temporal variation of marine megafauna across south-eastern Queensland, Australia.
Methods
Drones were operated at five south-eastern Queensland beaches. Megafauna sightings and key variables including location, month and turbidity were analysed to assess variation across locations.
Key results
Overall, 3815 individual megafauna were detected from 3273 flights. There were significant differences in the composition of megafauna assemblages throughout the year and among beaches, with megafaunal sightings in >80% of flights conducted off North Stradbroke Island.
Conclusions
Strong temporal presence was found that is congruent with other studies examining seasonality. This supports the use of drones to provide ecological data for many hard-to-study megafauna species and help inform long-term sustainable management of coastal ecosystems.
Implications
Results indicated that environmental conditions can influence the probability of sighting marine megafauna during aerial surveys.
Details
- Title
- Spatial and temporal variation of marine megafauna off coastal beaches of south-eastern Queensland, Australia
- Authors
- Maddison C. Cross (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringJonathan D. Mitchell - Department of Primary IndustriesChristine L. Dudgeon - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringKathy A. Townsend - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringTracey B. Scott-Holland - Department of Primary IndustriesBonnie J. Holmes - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Publication details
- Marine and Freshwater Research, Vol.75(15), pp.1-14
- Publisher
- C S I R O Publishing
- Date published
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.1071/MF24094
- ISSN
- 1448-6059; 1323-1650
- Copyright note
- © 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)
- Data Availability
- The corresponding author can provide the datasets used in this study upon reasonable request
- Grant note
- The SharkSmart drone trial was funded and delivered by the Queensland Government Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in collaboration with SLSQ.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991066742102621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Web Of Science research areas
- Fisheries
- Limnology
- Marine & Freshwater Biology
- Oceanography
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Source: InCites