Abstract: 

To best manage a protected area, a knowledge of the ‘real estate’ is considered essential. Recent advances in technology has allowed for the development of habitat mapping for the full extent of the shallow (20m or less) mid and outer shelf reefs. This mapping will significantly increase the knowledge and understanding of the spatial habitat characteristics of the GBR and provide a much needed baseline data set to underpin future management, monitoring and modelling.

The resilience network prototype tool is a requirement from the  Reef Blueprint that was produced from the Reef Summit in May 2017. The resilience network identifies coral reefs that are disproportionately important to the Reef’s resilience (i.e. areas that best support ecological, social, economic, culture and heritage values), based on a range of possible impacts. This ‘prototype’ will define the methodology that will be applied to the reef habitat mapping (when finalised) to assist with the long term management of the Marine Park under a changing climate.

Biography:

Donna-marie Audas has extensive experience in marine ecology and coastal management, and a passion for encouraging greater appreciation of and care for the natural environment.

Donna has 30 years’ experience in Environmental Management, supported by a background in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) which underpins the coastal ecosystem program at GBRMPA. With over 20 years at GBRMPA, Donna has been instrumental to the Authority’s involvement a range of programs and projects to better understand and educate about the connection between land and sea. Donna believes that managing the environment requires a collaborative, informed and united approach. Stakeholder engagement is vital to the success of environmental management.

Paul Groves is a Marine Scientist with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Paul has been working with Donna Audas for the last 10 years looking at the important role the catchment plays in maintaining the health of the Great Barrier Reef. Prior to this Paul worked for many years in public aquariums (including Reef HQ) and is a life-long fish enthusiast. Paul’s current role in GBRMPA is to identify a network of resilient reefs.