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<DIV STYLE="text-align:Left;"><DIV><DIV><P><SPAN STYLE="font-weight:bold;font-size:14pt">Description</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>This dataset represents the spatial distribution of marine biotopes within Te Moana o Atawhenua / Fiordland Marine Area. The mapping is based on benthic community analysis for both deep subtidal reefs (30–130 m) and shallow rocky reefs (0–20 m).</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>Biotopes were classified using the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS), incorporating both biological community composition and physical habitat characteristics. The analysis utilised remotely operated vehicle (ROV) video for deep reef environments and dive-survey footage for shallow reef environments, with a focus on benthic assemblages and percentage cover of organisms.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN STYLE="font-weight:bold;font-size:14pt">Data Collection</SPAN></P><P><SPAN STYLE="font-weight:bold;">Date range</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>1</SPAN><SPAN>4 February 2018 to 10 January 2025</SPAN></P><P><SPAN STYLE="font-weight:bold;">Data collection and analysis</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>Victoria University of Wellington</SPAN></P><P><SPAN STYLE="font-weight:bold;">Survey methods</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>Deep reefs: Remotely operated vehicle (ROV) video surveys; Shallow reefs: Diver-based surveys</SPAN></P><P><SPAN STYLE="font-weight:bold;">Processing and Methodology</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>Biotopes were derived using a habitat classification framework developed in accordance with the </SPAN><A href="https://iocm.noaa.gov/standards/cmecs-home.html" target="_blank" STYLE="text-decoration:underline;"><SPAN>Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS)</SPAN></A><SPAN>. This framework enables the classification of habitats based on combined biotic and abiotic characteristics.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN STYLE="font-weight:bold;">Coordinate system</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>New Zealand Transverse Mercator (NZTM)</SPAN></P><P><SPAN STYLE="font-weight:bold;font-size:14pt">Supporting Documentation</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>The dataset is supported by the following reports:</SPAN></P><P><SPAN STYLE="font-weight:bold;">Deep subtidal reefs (Part 1)</SPAN></P><P><SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic;">Biotope delineation using the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) for deep subtidal reefs (30–130 m) in the Fiordland Marine Area, New Zealand.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>Victoria University of Wellington, June 2025. Prepared for Environment Southland.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>Supporting report:</SPAN></P><P><SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic;">Bell, J.J., Shanks, O. (2025). Benthic community analysis to support the development of the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) for deep subtidal reefs (30–130 m) in the Fiordland Marine Area.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN STYLE="font-weight:bold;">Shallow subtidal reefs (Part 2)</SPAN></P><P><SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic;">Biotope delineation using the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) for shallow subtidal reefs (0–20 m) in the Fiordland Marine Area, New Zealand.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>Victoria University of Wellington, July 2025. Prepared for Environment Southland.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>Supporting report:</SPAN></P><P><SPAN STYLE="font-style:italic;">Bell, J.J., Ramey, E., Novak, E. (2025). Benthic community analysis to support the development of the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) for shallow subtidal reefs (0–20 m) in the Fiordland Marine Area.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN /></P></DIV></DIV></DIV> |