Great Australian ECOSYSTEM STUDY Bight Physical processes, biodiversity and ecology of the Great Australian Bight region: A LITERATURE REVIEW JUNE 2013 Paul Rogers1 Barry Bruce2 Simon Goldsworthy1 John Middleton1 Tim Ward1 Sean Connell3 David Griffin2 Anthony Richardson2 Paul van Ruth1 David Currie1 Nick Hardman-Mountford2 Andrew Ross2 Alan Williams2 Campbell Davies2 Alex Ivey1 Jason Tanner1 Karen Evans2 Rudy Kloser2 Jock Young2 Bronwyn Gillanders3 1 South Australian Research and Development Institute 2 Wealth from Oceans National Research Flagship, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research 3 University of Adelaide Contents & executive Summary only Great Australian Bight Ecosystem Study Physical processes, biodiversity and ecology of the Great Australian Bight region: a literature review Primary authors: Paul Rogers1, Tim Ward1,a, Paul van Ruth1, Alan Williams2 Contributing authors (alphabetically): Barry Bruce2, Sean Connell3, David Currie1, Campbell Davies2, Karen Evans2, Bronwyn Gillanders3, Simon Goldsworthy1, David Griffin2, Nick Hardman‐Mountford2, Alex Ivey1, Rudy Kloser2, John Middleton1, Anthony Richardson2, Andrew Ross2, Jason Tanner1 and Jock Young2 1South Australian Research and Development Institute 2Wealth from Oceans National Research Flagship, CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research 3University of Adelaide a Corresponding author: [email protected] Contents & executive Summary only Contents & executive Summary only National Library of Australia Cataloguing‐in‐Publication entry Author: Rogers, Paul J., author. Title: Physical processes, biodiversity and ecology of the Great Australian Bight region : a literature review / Paul Rogers, Tim Ward, Paul van Ruth, Alan Williams ; contributing authors, Barry Bruce [and fifteen others]. ISBN: 9781486300976 (ebook : pdf) Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index. Subjects: Ecology‐‐Great Australian Bight (W.A. and S. Aust.) Biodiversity‐‐Great Australian Bight (W.A. and S. Aust.) Geomorphology‐‐Great Australian Bight (W.A. and S. Aust.) Meteorology‐‐Great Australian Bight (W.A. and S. Aust.) Oceanography‐‐Great Australian Bight (W.A. and S. Aust.) Great Australian Bight (W.A. and S. Aust.) Other Authors/Contributors: Ward T.M., (author) van Ruth P. D., (author) Williams A, (author) Bruce B. D., (author) CSIRO, (issuing body) Dewey Number: 577.0994 Citation Rogers P.J., Ward T.M., van Ruth P. D., Williams A, Bruce B. D., Connell, S. D., Currie D. R., Davies C. R., Evans K, Gillanders B. M., Goldsworthy S. D., Griffin D. A., Hardman‐Mountford N.J., Ivey A. R., Kloser R.J., Middleton J. K., Richardson A. E., Ross A, Tanner J. E., and Young J. (2013). Physical processes, biodiversity and ecology of the Great Australian Bight region: a literature review. CSIRO, Australia. MISA: Marine Innovation Southern Australia, an initiative of the South Australian Government, is a partnership between the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), Flinders University, The University of Adelaide, the South Australian Museum and the SA seafood industry. Copyright and disclaimer © 2013 CSIRO To the extent permitted by law, all rights are reserved and no part of this publication covered by copyright may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means except with the written permission of CSIRO. Important disclaimer CSIRO advises that the information contained in this publication comprises general statements based on scientific research. The reader is advised and needs to be aware that such information may be incomplete or unable to be used in any specific situation. No reliance or actions must therefore be made on that information without seeking prior expert professional, scientific and technical advice. To the extent permitted by law, CSIRO (including its employees and consultants) excludes all liability to any person for any consequences, including but not limited to all losses, damages, costs, expenses and any other compensation, arising directly or indirectly from using this publication (in part or in whole) and any information or material contained in it. Cover design: Louise Bell (CSIRO) Contents & executive Summary only Table of Contents Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................................ i List of Figures ..................................................................................................................................................... iii List of Tables .................................................................................................................................................... viii Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................... ix Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................................... xxvii 1 General Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 The Great Australian Bight ...................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Impetus for this review ........................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Purpose, scope and limitations of this review ........................................................................................ 4 1.4 Relevant Reviews and Reports ................................................................................................................ 5 2 Regional Geomorphology ............................................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Shape and composition of the seabed .................................................................................................... 6 2.2 Continental Shelf ..................................................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Continental Slope .................................................................................................................................... 7 2.4 Continental Rise and Abyssal Plain ......................................................................................................... 8 3 Meteorology and Oceanography .................................................................................................................... 9 3.1 Meteorology ............................................................................................................................................ 9 3.2 Flinders Current ..................................................................................................................................... 12 3.3 Leeuwin Current .................................................................................................................................... 14 3.4 Coastal Currents .................................................................................................................................... 15 3.5 Mesoscale Eddies .................................................................................................................................. 16 3.5 Cross‐shelf exchange ............................................................................................................................. 18 3.6 Upwelling .............................................................................................................................................. 19 3.7 Downwelling .......................................................................................................................................... 21 3.8 El‐Nino ‐ La Nina Effects (ENSO) ............................................................................................................ 25 3.9 Surface Waves and Tides ...................................................................................................................... 26 3.10 Discussion of Connectivity .................................................................................................................. 28 3.11 Knowledge Gaps .................................................................................................................................. 31 3.12 Research Needs ................................................................................................................................... 31 3.13 Key Data Sets ....................................................................................................................................... 32 3.14 Key References: ................................................................................................................................... 34 4 Pelagic Ecology ............................................................................................................................................. 35 4.1 Background ........................................................................................................................................... 35 i Contents & executive Summary only 4.2 Plankton dynamics and lower food web structure ............................................................................... 36 4.3 Ichthyoplankton ...................................................................................................................................