Annex 1 - Noosa River Habitat Survey Report - ESP

                                                          Ecological Service Professionals
                                                                             Sustainable Science Solutions




possible). These detailed assessments were completed using a combination of visual
assessment on foot at low tide, underwater georeferenced photo transects and underwater
spot checks using a surface view camera. Where visibility was low (due to turbidity of
waters), spot snorkel surveys and grapple were used to confirm the presence of subtidal
seagrass and macroalgae, where safe to do so and following a strict risk assessment
protocol.
Habitat Categories
The study area covered both intertidal and subtidal zones, with several dominant habitat
types known to be present in each area. Intertidal and subtidal habitats mapped included
mangroves, seagrasses, unvegetated sandy and muddy sediments, and oyster and rock
rubble habitats.
The condition of habitats in the study area, such as seagrass beds, rocky reefs and bare
sand and mud were also considered (e.g. based on their structural complexity, the presence
of burrows, and the abundance of marine plants or sessile invertebrates growing on the
surface).
Opportunistic sightings of marine megafauna (e.g. marine reptiles and mammals) were
recorded throughout the study area.

GIS Mapping
A detailed map based on the initial desktop mapping and the field data was produced using
ESRI ArcGIS, showing the extent of habitat present in each of the five survey areas,
including other broad marine habitats (e.g. bare substrate, rocky rubble or oyster reef) and
marine plants (including seagrass and macroalgae). The area (m2) covered by each habitat
type was calculated in the GIS based on the spatial layers using the GDA2020 datum.


3.      Results
A variety of benthic habitat types were mapped in each of the five proposed investigation
areas including mangroves, seagrasses, unvegetated sandy and muddy sediments, gravel
and rock rubble (Table 3.1; Figure 3.1 to Figure 3.4). The dominant habitat type in the
Noosa Sound and Goat Island investigation areas was unvegetated (bare) sand (>83% of
mapped habitat). In the Tewantin area, the benthic habitat was dominated by patchy rock
rubble and gravel with sparse oysters and macroalgae.




Noosa Estuary: Marine Benthic Habitat Assessment                                                        3