Central and regional government agencies have a key role to play in mapping and protecting important coastal and marine habitats and ecosystems. In the absence of real data, we frequently use predictive habitat suitability and abundance models, combined with spatial decision support tools, to identify where important habitats are likely to occur. We then use various mapping techniques to verify the presence of important habitats and ecosystems and map their condition and extent. We recently added 3D photogrammetry to the toolbox for mapping reefs as a potential monitoring and engagement tool.
Mapped sites are classified according to a common ecosystem typology, and importance assigned using a suite of criteria. This presentation will give an overview of tools for locating, mapping and defining important marine habitats and ecosystems, as well as the policy and management responses to protecting these high biodiversity areas.