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Database Title

6.5 Marine Benthic Database
Keywords
Type1.
Type 11.		 Marine; benthic biota ; species; biological assemblages
Abstract

This framework, which was prepared by NIWA, provides a system for storing information on the occurrence of coastal marine benthic fauna in a nationally consistent manner. It is designed to be used by regional councils.

The database contains information relating to all aspects of benthic marine collection. The data is separated into 4 main tables:

  • SITES- this contains site information
  • SAMPLE-this contains information for an individual sample
  • TAXADATA- this contains the actual species counts
  • METHODINFO-this contains information on the method used to collect the sample

There are several supplementary tables that contain information on:

  • The project the information was collected under
  • The collector
  • Species taxonomic information.
Geographical Coverage NZ coastal waters
Dataset start date. Various
Dataset end date. Current
Status/currency. In progress for some regional councils
Update frequency. As new information becomes available.
Maintenance. Each agency will maintain their own data.

 

Technical Evaluation

  
Parameters- what is measured
  • Site parameters: habitat type.
  • Sample parameters: depth; size and count data for each species; ("count" data can include: biomass, abundance, relative abundance)
Parameters- what is calculated -
Methods used to measure parameters Variety of methods can be used as long as the required database fields are completed. A variety of project, site, sample and species related data is required for the database.
Scale of use. Detailed at the site level
Number of records Unknown
GIS compatibility. Latitude/longitude data is collected
Available formats for users. MS Access database
Access constraints. Will depend on each organisation. The intention is to have data that can be aggregated and compared across council boundaries.
Measurement Accuracy To be completed by database manager.
Completeness of dataset To be completed by database manager.
Positional accuracy To be completed by database manager.
Database steward NIWA
Database custodian Each organisation involved will be a custodian of their data.
Database custodian contact person Judi Hewitt
Database custodian Contact
Address
Phone
Fax
Email		 NIWA
PO Box 11 115
Hamilton
+64 7 856 7026
+64 7 856 0151
j.hewitt@niwa.co.nz
References Weatherhead, M. 1999. Marine benthic database user's guide. NIWA Client Report MfE90218.
Date metadata record prepared. June 2000
Author of metadata record. Victoria Froude

 

Management Evaluation

  
Original purpose. To design a system for storing data on coastal marine benthic fauna that is nationally consistent and allows aggregation and comparison of data.
Relationships with classification systems. Unclear
Relationships with other databases It is unclear how existing datasets relate to this new framework.
Known relationships with proposed EPIP indicators. Not known
Database uses? A range of database users are anticipated.
Public awareness of the database Low or none
Database strengths. Common framework facilitates aggregation and comparison of data
Database limitations.
  • For the database to achieve its potential requires that a number of different agencies adopt this approach.
  • NIWA has not been funded to maintain the overall database.

 

What are the Current and Emerging Uses of the Database for:

  
Assisting with determining historic state/baseline. This would be possible if historic data could be converted to the new system
Assisting with determining current state/baseline. Would do this for areas covered
Assisting with modeling possible future outcomes. Unclear at this stage
Risk assessment. Potential
Monitoring site selection and sample design. This should be possible
Aggregating and reporting data locally, regionally or nationally. This would be possible if a number of regional councils adopt this approach.