Metadata record for data from ASAC Project 2301 See the link below for public details on this project. ---- Public Summary from Project ---- This study develops and combines the latest molecular and electronics technology into a comprehensive investigation of diet and food-web relationships of Southern Ocean predators (whales, seals, penguins) and commercial marine resources (krill, fish, squid). This type of information is essential for ecosystem models that set sustainable catch limits for fisheries. From the abstract of the referenced paper: We describe seven group-specific primer pairs that amplify small sections of ribosomal RNA genes suitable for identification of animal groups of major importance as prey items in marine ecosystems. These primer sets allow the isolation of DNA from the target animal groups from mixed pools of DNA, where DNA-based identification using universal primers is unlikely to succeed. The primers are designed for identifying prey and animal diets, but could be used in any situation where these animal groups are to be identified by their DNA. Progress report from the 2006/2007 Season: Overall objective This new multi-year initiative project within the AMLR program aims to develop and combine the latest molecular and electronics technology to facilitate a comprehensive investigation of appropriately scaled and strategically located trophodynamics of Southern Ocean higher marine predators and commercial marine living resources. The objectives and early experimental design are largely responsive to needs determined by the Australian Antarctic Division's core-function obligations to CCAMLR, as well as other international organisations, the most relevant of which are the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and Southern Ocean Global Ocean Ecology Dynamics (SO-GLOBEC). Traditionally studies of diet of higher predators have often relied upon the use of a single, uncalibrated, methodology, and samples are usually collected in a manner that precludes stratification by age and sex class. Such studies are often subordinate experiments to a larger overall project. In contrast, the power of this new initiative project will be its focus on calibration across a suite of established and novel molecular and macroscopic techniques, feeding trials in controlled situations, direct linkage of samples to age and sex classes, and a detailed knowledge of the foraging behaviour of a sub-set of sampled animals. The parallel development and incorporation of electronic tools to measure predator foraging ecology further strengthens this work. In order to achieve the aims of this study a multi-disciplinary, widely collaborative and multi-streamed program has been developed. Methodological development underpins the potential power of this project to delivery its objectives. The detailed design-phase of incorporating these new approaches into an experimental framework will follow this developmental phase. In order to best represent the sub-objectives of each phase of this study, the work has been divided into the following core components: * Experimental Design (phase 1: methodological development) * Development of DNA-based molecular techniques to measure prey harvesting * Validation trials of molecular techniques * Modelling/analysis to develop a matrix of methodologies to best predict prey composition in predator diet * Development of electronic equipment to measure prey harvesting * Validation trials of electronic equipment * Experimental Design (phase 2: ecological experiments) * Integrated, question driven, field experiments Some components of this work will run contemporaneously (eg. development of molecular and electronic tools). This project has now been completed. The novel DNA based methods for studying animal diet have been researched thoroughly in controlled conditions and demonstrated to be useful and an advance on existing methods. The DNA based dietary methods have also been successfully applied to studying the diet of Blue whales, Fin whales, Antarctic fur seals, Macaroni penguins, Antarctic krill and bottlenose dolphins.

This bibliography contains references to diseases, health, clinical biochemistry and pathology of captive and wild sea birds. The definition of a sea bird is broad and includes all species that feed within the marine environment and others which are related but inhabit other aquatic environments e.g. cormorants. The bibliography is comprehensive but not exhaustive. The compilers would appreciate lists of missed and new items for inclusion. These should be sent to the data officer at the Australian Antarctic Data Centre at the contact details listed below.

This dataset represents extents of Antarctic sea ice derived from passive microwave data. It includes: maximum and minimum sea ice extent based on 1989 - 99 data; maximum sea ice extent by month for the period October - March based on 1973 - 98 data; mean sea ice extent by month based on 1973 - 1998 data; and maximum sea ice extent averaged over the period 1987 - 1998. The data referenced by this metadata record has been sourced from another metadata record in this catalogue. For more information on the dataset see: Antarctic CRC and Australian Antarctic Division Climate Data Set - Northern extent of Antarctic sea ice [climate_sea_ice].

Southern Ocean Seabirds Bibliography compiled by SCAR Bird Biology Subgroup contains 1,112 records. The fields in this dataset are: year author title journal

This dataset contains records of ice thickness and snow thickness from Mawson, Antarctica. Measurements were attempted on a weekly basis and have been recorded since 1954 and are ongoing, although this record only contains data up until the end of 1989. The observations are not continuous however. The dataset is available via the provided URL. These data were also collected as part of ASAC projects 189 and 741. Logbooks(s): Glaciology Sea Ice Log, Mawson 1969 Glaciology Mawson Sea Ice Logs, 1995-2000

This indicator is no longer maintained, and is considered OBSOLETE. INDICATOR DEFINITION Measurements of sea surface salinity in the Southern Ocean. Measurements are averaged over latitude bands: 40-50 deg S, 50-60 deg S, 60 deg S-continent. TYPE OF INDICATOR There are three types of indicators used in this report: 1.Describes the CONDITION of important elements of a system; 2.Show the extent of the major PRESSURES exerted on a system; 3.Determine RESPONSES to either condition or changes in the condition of a system. This indicator is one of: CONDITION RATIONALE FOR INDICATOR SELECTION Australian and Antarctic climate and marine living resources are sensitive to the distribution of ocean salinity. Sea surface values are relatively easy to monitor, and therefore can be used as a relevant indicator of the state of the ocean environment. The information provided by long records of sea surface salinity is needed to detect changes in the Southern Ocean resulting from climate change; to test climate model predictions; to develop an understanding of links between the Ocean and climate variability in Australia; and for sustainable development of marine resources. DESIGN AND STRATEGY FOR INDICATOR MONITORING PROGRAM Spatial scale: Southern Ocean: 40 deg S to the Antarctic continent Frequency: Monthly averages over summer Measurement technique: Measurements of sea surface salinity from Antarctic supply ships. RESEARCH ISSUES Sea surface salinity has not been previously used as a spatially averaged environmental indicator. Some experimentation with past data are required to define the most appropriate averaging strategy. New technologies like profiling Argo floats need to be exploited to provide better spatial and temporal coverage of salinity in the Southern Ocean. LINKS TO OTHER INDICATORS Sea surface temperature Sea ice extent and concentration Chlorophyll concentrations concentrations

Current meter S4_211b is one of four current meters deployed off the coast of Casey Station, Australian Antarctic Territory. S4_211a was located in Shannon Bay at 66 degrees 16.727 minutes South, 110 degrees 31.434 minutes West. Further deployment details can be found in the 'Mooring Details' section of the data, as well as a 'Location Map'. The data includes: current speed components, current speed and current direction, a progressive vector diagram of displacement, and water temperature. The data were recorded by the Australian Antarctic Division, and processed by Oceanographic Field Services Pty Ltd. Data was recorded between 3:30am 18 November 1997 (GMT) and 7:30am 29 December 1998 (GMT). The fields in this dataset include: Date Time Speed (centimetres per second) Direction (degrees) Temperature (degrees)

Current meter S4_212b is one of four current meters deployed off the coast of Casey Station, Australian Antarctic Territory. S4_211a was located in Shannon Bay at 66 degrees 16.727 minutes South, 110 degrees 31.434 minutes West. Further deployment details can be found in the 'Mooring Details' section of the data, as well as a 'Location Map'. The data includes: current speed components, current speed and current direction, a progressive vector diagram of displacement, and water temperature. The data were recorded by the Australian Antarctic Division, and processed by Oceanographic Field Services Pty Ltd. Data was recorded between 3:30am 18 November 1997 (GMT) and 7:30am 29 December 1998 (GMT). The fields in this dataset include: Date Time Speed (centimetres per second) Direction (degrees) Temperature (degrees)

This dataset contains records of ice thickness and snow thickness from Casey, Antarctica. Measurements were attempted on a weekly basis and were recorded between 1979 and 1992. The observations are not continuous however. The dataset is available via the provided URL. This data were also collected as part of ASAC projects 189 and 741. The Casey fast ice thickness data are no longer being collected.

Current meter S4_211a is one of four current meters deployed off the coast of Casey Station, Australian Antarctic Territory. S4_211a was located in Shannon Bay at 66 degrees 16.727 minutes South, 110 degrees 31.434 minutes West. Further deployment details can be found in the 'Mooring Details' section of the data, as well as a 'Location Map'. The data includes: current speed components, current speed and current direction, a progressive vector diagram of displacement, and water temperature. The data were recorded by the Australian Antarctic Division, and processed by Oceanographic Field Services Pty Ltd. Data was recorded between 3:30am 18 November 1997 (GMT) and 7:30am 29 December 1998 (GMT). The fields in this dataset include: Date Time Speed (centimetres per second) Direction (degrees) Temperature (degrees)