Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
Marine and Freshwater Research Marine and Freshwater Research Society
Advances in the aquatic sciences
RESEARCH ARTICLE

From research to end-users, tracing the path of ocean observations in Australia

Ana Lara-Lopez A C , Indi Hodgson-Johnston https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0305-9468 A , Madeleine Cahill B , Sebastien Mancini A , Peter Blain A and Tim Moltmann A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Integrated Marine Observing System, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 110, Hobart, Tas. 7001, Australia.

B CSIRO, Oceans and Atmosphere, Castray Esplanade, Battery Point, Tas. 7004, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: ana.lara@utas.edu.au

Marine and Freshwater Research 70(7) 925-935 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF18066
Submitted: 25 February 2018  Accepted: 29 October 2018   Published: 3 January 2019

Abstract

The mission of Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), established under the Federal Government’s national collaborative research infrastructure program, is to deliver ocean observations to the marine and climate science community. However, the observations have many uses, ranging from real-time operational forecasting to understanding of processes and policy decision making. Observations need to be provided in a format that fits the purpose of the intended application. Turning observations into usable data, time series, gridded products and analyses broadens the use of such observations. Value adding by developing products that are relevant to end-user needs and easily accessible to non-scientists is also required as a strategic response to new and emerging socioeconomic, legal and policy priorities. This paper describes some of the pathways on which IMOS observations are being delivered and used in Australia, demonstrating the value that ocean observations have for society.

Additional keywords: ocean data, ocean observing.


References

Addison, P. F. E., Collins, D. J., Trebilco, R., Howe, S., Bax, N., Hedge, P., Jones, G., Miloslavich, P., Roelfsema, C., Sams, M., Stuart-Smith, R. D., Scanes, P., von Baumgarten, P., and McQuatters-Gollop, A. (2018). A new wave of marine evidence-based management: emerging challenges and solutions to transform monitoring, evaluating, and reporting. ICES Journal of Marine Science 75, 941–952.
A new wave of marine evidence-based management: emerging challenges and solutions to transform monitoring, evaluating, and reporting.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Baird, M. E., Suthers, I. M., Griffin, D. A., Hollings, B., Pattiaratchi, C., Everett, J. D., Roughan, M., Oubelkheir, K., and Doblin, M. (2011). The effect of surface flooding on the physical–biogeochemical dynamics of a warm-core eddy off southeast Australia. Deep-sea Research – II, Topical Studies in Oceanography 58, 592–605.
The effect of surface flooding on the physical–biogeochemical dynamics of a warm-core eddy off southeast Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Baird, M. E., Adams, M. P., Andrewartha, J., Cherukuru, N., Gustafsson, M., Hadley, S., Herzfeld, M., Jones, E., Margvelashvili, N., and Mongin, M. (2017). ‘CSIRO Environmental Modelling Suite: Scientific Description of the Optical, Carbon Chemistry and Biogeochemical Models (BGC1p0).’ (CSIRO: Hobart, Tas., Australia.)

Balmaseda, M. A., Kumar, A., Andersson, E., Takaya, Y., Anderson, D., Janssen, P., Martin, M., and Fujii, Y. (2014). Operational forecasting systems. Report of the Tropical Pacific Observing White Paper 4, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, San Diego, CA, USA.

Bibiloni-Isaksson, J., Seymour, J. R., Ingleton, T., van de Kamp, J., Bodrossy, L., and Brown, M. V. (2016). Spatial and temporal variability of aerobic anoxygenic photoheterotrophic bacteria along the east coast of Australia. Environmental Microbiology 18, 4485–4500.
Spatial and temporal variability of aerobic anoxygenic photoheterotrophic bacteria along the east coast of Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Borja, A., Ranasinghe, A., and Weisberg, S. B. (2009). Assessing ecological integrity in marine waters, using multiple indices and ecosystem components: challenges for the future. Marine Pollution Bulletin 59, 1–4.
Assessing ecological integrity in marine waters, using multiple indices and ecosystem components: challenges for the future.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Borja, Á., Dauer, D. M., and Grémare, A. (2012). The importance of setting targets and reference conditions in assessing marine ecosystem quality. Ecological Indicators 12, 1–7.
The importance of setting targets and reference conditions in assessing marine ecosystem quality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Craig, P., and BLUElink (2014). BLUElink 2. Overview and milestone summary. Number 074, CAWCR Technical Report, CSIRO, Hobart, Tas., Australia

Evans, K., Bax, N. J., and Smith, D. C. (2016). ‘Australia State of the Environment 2016 Report: Marine Environment.’ (Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy: Canberra, ACT, Australia.)

Everett, J. D., Baird, M. E., Buchanan, P., Bulman, C., Davies, C., Downie, R., Griffiths, C., Heneghan, R., Kloser, R. J., Laiolo, L., Lara-Lopez, A., Lozano-Montes, H., Matear, R. J., McEnnulty, F., Robson, B., Rochester, W., Skerratt, J., Smith, J. A., Strzelecki, J., Suthers, I. M., Swadling, K. M., van Ruth, P., and Richardson, A. J. (2017). Modeling what we sample and sampling what we model: challenges for zooplankton model assessment. Frontiers in Marine Science 4, 77.
Modeling what we sample and sampling what we model: challenges for zooplankton model assessment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Feng, M., Hendon, H. H., Xie, S. P., Marshall, A. G., Schiller, A., Kosaka, Y., Caputi, N., and Pearce, A. (2015). Decadal increase in Ningaloo Niño since the late 1990s. Geophysical Research Letters 42, 104–112.
Decadal increase in Ningaloo Niño since the late 1990s.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gleckler, P. J., Santer, B. D., Domingues, C. M., Pierce, D. W., Barnett, T. P., Church, J. A., Taylor, K. E., AchutaRao, K. M., Boyer, T. P., Ishii, M., and Caldwell, P. M. (2012). Human-induced global ocean warming on multidecadal timescales. Nature Climate Change 2, 524.
Human-induced global ocean warming on multidecadal timescales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Grammer, G. L., Morrongiello, J. R., Izzo, C., Hawthorne, P. J., Middleton, J. F., and Gillanders, B. M. (2017). Coupling biogeochemical tracers with fish growth reveals physiological and environmental controls on otolith chemistry. Ecological Monographs 87, 487–507.
Coupling biogeochemical tracers with fish growth reveals physiological and environmental controls on otolith chemistry.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Herzfeld, M., Andrewartha, J., Baird, M., Brinkman, R., Furnas, M., Gillibrand, P., Hemer, M., Joehnk, K., Jones, E., McKinnon, D., Margvelashvilli, N., Mongin, M., Oke, P., Rizwi, F., Robson, B., Seaton, S., Skerratt, J., Tonin, H., and Wild-Allen, K. (2016). eReefs marine modelling: final report. Number EP172488, CSIRO, Hobart, Tas., Australia.

Hidas, M. G., Proctor, R., Atkins, N., Atkinson, J., Besnard, L., Blain, P., Bohm, P., Burgess, J., Finney, K., Fruehauf, D., Galibert, G., Hoenner, X., Hope, J., Jones, C., Mancini, S., Pasquer, B., Nahodil, D., Reid, K., and Tattersall, K. (2016). Information infrastructure for Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System. Earth Science Informatics 9, 525–534.
Information infrastructure for Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hobday, A. J., Alexander, L. V., Perkins, S. E., Smale, D. A., Straub, S. C., Oliver, E. C., Benthuysen, J. A., Burrows, M. T., Donat, M. G., Feng, M., Holbrook, N. J., Moore, P. J., Scannell, H. A., Gupta, A. S., and Wernberg, T. (2016a). A hierarchical approach to defining marine heatwaves. Progress in Oceanography 141, 227–238.
A hierarchical approach to defining marine heatwaves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hobday, A. J., Spillman, C. M., Eveson, J. P., and Hartog, J. R. (2016b). Seasonal forecasting for decision support in marine fisheries and aquaculture. Fisheries Oceanography 25, 45–56.
Seasonal forecasting for decision support in marine fisheries and aquaculture.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hobday, A. J., Oliver, E. C. J., Gupta, A. S., Benthuysen, J. A., Burrows, M. T., Donat, M. G., Holbrook, N. J., Moore, P. J., Thomsen, M. S., Wernberg, T., and Smale, D. A. (2018). Categorizing and naming marine heatwaves Oceanography 31, 2.
Categorizing and naming marine heatwavesCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hoenner, X., Huveneers, C., Steckenreuter, A., Simpfendorfer, C., Tattersall, K., Jaine, F., Atkins, N., Babcock, R., Brodie, S., Burgess, J., Campbell, H., Heupel, M., Pasquer, B., Proctor, R., Taylor, M. D., Udyawer, V., and Harcourt, R. (2018). Australia’s continental-scale acoustic tracking database and its automated quality control process. Scientific Data 5, 170206.
Australia’s continental-scale acoustic tracking database and its automated quality control process.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hughes, T. P., Kerry, J. T., Álvarez-Noriega, M., Álvarez-Romero, J. G., Anderson, K. D., Baird, A. H., Babcock, R. C., Beger, M., Bellwood, D. R., Berkelmans, R., Bridge, T. C., Butler, I. R., Byrne, M., Cantin, N. E., Comeau, S., Connolly, S. R., Cumming, G. S., Dalton, S. J., Diaz-Pulido, G., Eakin, C. M., Figueira, W. F., Gilmour, J. P., Harrison, H. B., Heron, S. F., Hoey, A. S., Hobbs, J.-P. A., Hoogenboom, M. O., Kennedy, E. V., Kuo, C.-y., Lough, J. M., Lowe, R. J., Liu, G., McCulloch, M. T., Malcolm, H. A., McWilliam, M. J., Pandolfi, J. M., Pears, R. J., Pratchett, M. S., Schoepf, V., Simpson, T., Skirving, W. J., Sommer, B., Torda, G., Wachenfeld, D. R., Willis, B. L., and Wilson, S. K. (2017). Global warming and recurrent mass bleaching of corals. Nature 543, 373.
Global warming and recurrent mass bleaching of corals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

International Organization for Standardization (2003). ISO 19115:2003 standard (geographic information – metadata). Available at https://www.iso.org/standard/53798.html [Verified 14 November 2018].

Kerry, C., Powell, B., Roughan, M., and Oke, P. (2016). Development and evaluation of a high-resolution reanalysis of the East Australian Current region using the Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS 3.4) and Incremental Strong-Constraint 4-Dimensional Variational (IS4D-Var) data assimilation. Geoscientific Model Development 9, 3779–3801.
Development and evaluation of a high-resolution reanalysis of the East Australian Current region using the Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS 3.4) and Incremental Strong-Constraint 4-Dimensional Variational (IS4D-Var) data assimilation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lara-Lopez, A., Moltmann, T., and Proctor, R. (2016). Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS): data impacts and lessons learned. Marine Technology Society Journal 50, 23–33.
Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS): data impacts and lessons learned.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Macdonald, H. S., Roughan, M., Baird, M. E., and Wilkin, J. (2016). The formation of a cold-core eddy in the East Australian Current. Continental Shelf Research 114, 72–84.
The formation of a cold-core eddy in the East Australian Current.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Marzloff, M. P., Johnson, C. R., Little, L. R., Soulié, J.-C., Ling, S. D., and Frusher, S. D. (2013). Sensitivity analysis and pattern-oriented validation of TRITON, a model with alternative community states: insights on temperate rocky reefs dynamics. Ecological Modelling 258, 16–32.
Sensitivity analysis and pattern-oriented validation of TRITON, a model with alternative community states: insights on temperate rocky reefs dynamics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Melbourne-Thomas, J., Constable, A. J., Fulton, E. A., Corney, S. P., Trebilco, R., Hobday, A. J., Blanchard, J. L., Boschetti, F., Bustamante, R. H., Cropp, R., Everett, J. D., Fleming, A., Galton-Fenzi, B., Goldsworthy, S. D., Lenton, A., Lara-Lopez, A., Little, R., Marzloff, M. P., Matear, R., Mongin, M., Plagányi, E., Proctor, R., Risbey, J. S., Robson, B. J., Smith, D. C., Sumner, M. D., and van Putten, E. I. (2017). Integrated modelling to support decision-making for marine social–ecological systems in Australia. ICES Journal of Marine Science 74, 2298–2308.
Integrated modelling to support decision-making for marine social–ecological systems in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Moltmann, T., Lara-Lopez, A., Donoghue, S., and Hill, K. (2015). ‘National Science and Implementation Plan 2015–25.’ (Integrated Marine Observing System: Hobart, Tas., Australia.)

National Marine Science Committee (2015). ‘National Marine Science Plan 2015–2025: Driving the Development of Australia’s Blue Economy.’ (Australian Institute of Marine Science: Canberra, ACT, Australia.)

Neuheimer, A. B., Thresher, R. E., Lyle, J. M., and Semmens, J. M. (2011). Tolerance limit for fish growth exceeded by warming waters. Nature Climate Change 1, 110.
Tolerance limit for fish growth exceeded by warming waters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Oliver, E., Herzfeld, M., and Holbrook, N. J. (2016). Modelling the shelf circulation off eastern Tasmania Continental Shelf Research 130, 14–33.
Modelling the shelf circulation off eastern TasmaniaCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Oliver, E. C., Benthuysen, J. A., Bindoff, N. L., Hobday, A. J., Holbrook, N. J., Mundy, C. N., and Perkins-Kirkpatrick, S. E. (2017). The unprecedented 2015/16 Tasman Sea marine heatwave. Nature Communications 8, 16101.
The unprecedented 2015/16 Tasman Sea marine heatwave.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Oliver, E. C. J., Donat, M. G., Burrows, M. T., Moore, P. J., Smale, D. A., Alexander, L. V., Benthuysen, J. A., Feng, M., Sen Gupta, A., Hobday, A. J., Holbrook, N. J., Perkins-Kirkpatrick, S. E., Scannell, H. A., Straub, S. C., and Wernberg, T. (2018). Longer and more frequent marine heatwaves over the past century. Nature Communications 9, 1324.
Longer and more frequent marine heatwaves over the past century.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Olsen, E., Fay, G., Gaichas, S., Gamble, R., Lucey, S., and Link, J. S. (2016). Ecosystem model skill assessment. Yes we can! PLoS One 11, e0146467.
Ecosystem model skill assessment. Yes we can!Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Paterson, J. S., Nayar, S., Mitchell, J. G., and Seuront, L. (2012). A local upwelling controls viral and microbial community structure in South Australian continental shelf waters. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 96, 197–208.
A local upwelling controls viral and microbial community structure in South Australian continental shelf waters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Richardson, A., Eriksen, R., and Rochester, W. (2015). Plankton 2015: State of Australia’s Oceans. Linking Science and Policy: an Assessment of Our Oceans Using Plankton Indicators of Ecological Change.’ (CSRIO: Hobart, Tas., Australia.)

Roemmich, D., Church, J., Gilson, J., Monselesan, D., Sutton, P., and Wijffels, S. (2015). Unabated planetary warming and its ocean structure since 2006. Nature Climate Change 5, 240.
Unabated planetary warming and its ocean structure since 2006.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Roughan, M., Keating, S. R., Schaeffer, A., Cetina Heredia, P., Rocha, C., Griffin, D., Robertson, R., and Suthers, I. M. (2017). A tale of two eddies: the biophysical characteristics of two contrasting cyclonic eddies in the East Australian Current system. Journal of Geophysical Research. Oceans 122, 2494–2518.
A tale of two eddies: the biophysical characteristics of two contrasting cyclonic eddies in the East Australian Current system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Schaeffer, A., Roughan, M., Austin, T., Everett, J. D., Griffin, D., Hollings, B., King, E., Mantovanelli, A., Milburn, S., Pasquer, B., Pattiaratchi, C., Robertson, R., Stanley, D., Suthers, I., and White, D. (2016). Mean hydrography on the continental shelf from 26 repeat glider deployments along southeastern Australia. Scientific Data 3, 160070.
Mean hydrography on the continental shelf from 26 repeat glider deployments along southeastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Spillman, C., and Alves, O. (2009). Dynamical seasonal prediction of summer sea surface temperatures in the Great Barrier Reef. Coral Reefs 28, 197–206.
Dynamical seasonal prediction of summer sea surface temperatures in the Great Barrier Reef.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Spillman, C., Alves, O., Hudson, D., Hobday, A., and Hartog, J. (2011). Using dynamical seasonal forecasts in marine management. In ‘The 19th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation (MODSIM2011)’, 12–16 December 2011, Perth, WA, Australia. (Eds F. Chan, D. Marinova, and R. S. Anderssen.) pp. 2163–21669. Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand: Perth, WA, Australia.)

Sutton, A. L., and Beckley, L. E. (2017). Vertical structuring of epipelagic euphausiid assemblages across a thermohaline front in the south-east Indian Ocean. Journal of Plankton Research 39, 463–478.
Vertical structuring of epipelagic euphausiid assemblages across a thermohaline front in the south-east Indian Ocean.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Watson, C. S., White, N. J., Church, J. A., King, M. A., Burgette, R. J., and Legresy, B. (2015). Unabated global mean sea-level rise over the satellite altimeter era. Nature Climate Change 5, 565.
Unabated global mean sea-level rise over the satellite altimeter era.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wernberg, T., Bennett, S., Babcock, R. C., de Bettignies, T., Cure, K., Depczynski, M., Dufois, F., Fromont, J., Fulton, C. J., Hovey, R. K., Harvey, E. S., Holmes, T. H., Kendrick, G. A., Radford, B., Santana-Garcon, J., Saunders, B. J., Smale, D. A., Thomsen, M. S., Tuckett, C. A., Tuya, F., Vanderklift, M. A., and Wilson, S. (2016). Climate-driven regime shift of a temperate marine ecosystem. Science 353, 169–172.
Climate-driven regime shift of a temperate marine ecosystem.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Williams, D., Steinberg, C., and Spain, P. (2016). ADCP-based monitoring system aids operations in Darwin Harbor. Marine Technology Reporter 59, 40–45.

Wu, L., Cai, W., Zhang, L., Nakamura, H., Timmermann, A., Joyce, T., McPhaden, M. J., Alexander, M., Qiu, B., Visbeck, M., Chang, P., and Giese, B. (2012). Enhanced warming over the global subtropical western boundary currents. Nature Climate Change 2, 161.
Enhanced warming over the global subtropical western boundary currents.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Xu, J., Lowe, R. J., Ivey, G. N., Jones, N. L., and Brinkman, R. (2015). Observations of the shelf circulation dynamics along Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia during the austral spring and summer. Continental Shelf Research 95, 54–73.
Observations of the shelf circulation dynamics along Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia during the austral spring and summer.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |