Macroalgal Essential Ocean Variable (EOV) data processing and workflow
Macroalgal assemblages (such as the giant kelp forests of south east Australia) are highly productive and biodiverse ecosystems providing critical habitat for coastal marine biodiversity and for humans. These assemblages are vulnerable to global pressures including ocean warming, acidification, pollution, invasive species, and overfishing among other stressors. Macroalgal composition and cover has been identified as an ‘Essential Ocean Variable’ (EOV) acknowledging its importance as an indicator of coastal ecosystem health.
IMAS will host a global data aggregation point to build the collection necessary for the macroalgal composition and cover EOV and provide transformed data to the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS), making data accessible to an international audience and increasing potential for new research at a global scale.
A workshop in Hobart, including participants with international representation and relevant technical expertise, will focus specifically on the technical and data management specifications and design to meet the requirements for the processing of data, QA, publishing, transforming and aggregation.

Core features


Who is this project for?
- Peak bodies (GOOS, POGO, OBIS).
- Research organisations (universities, including 5 International and 3 Australian, AIMS, CSIRO).
- Infrastructure providers (AODN).
- Researchers globally working with macroalgal assemblages.
What does this project enable?
This project will lead to making data accessible for an international audience and increase potential for new research at a global scale.
Handy resources
- FAIR assessment [PDF 60KB]
- Final Report [PDF 100KB]
- Presentation [PDF 1MB]
- Visit the Australian Institute of Marine Science
- Visit the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies











