Bathymetry data for Seascapes, December 2022

This dataset forms part of the the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB)'s collection of Bathymetry data for the African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) Smart Zones MPA. This hydrographic survey covers 18 square km and is part of the SeaScapes 2022 project. The dataset consists of locations below the surface of the water. Habitat degradation and loss of structural complexity are major threats to coastal ecosystems, with impacts associated with climate change placing additional pressure on these valuable ecosystems. Seascape ecology (which focuses on mosaics of spatially discrete and recognisable patches of habitat) is an emerging science that strives to understand spatial pattern-process linkages in marine environments. Understanding multi-scale linkages between seascape structure, function and change can better support sustainable ocean development, biodiversity protection and help to understand the consequences of human activity. A multi-disciplinary approach will be undertaken within shallow coastal waters of the south coast of South Africa in two different coastal seascapes: 1) Swartkops Estuary to Maitlands Estuary (incorporating the lower reaches of the Swartkops Estuary and nearshore from 1-30 m) and 2) Aston Bay to Oyster Bay (incorporating the lower reaches of the Kromme Estuary and nearshore from 1-30 m). This project aims to 1) map and model seascape spatial structure through the collection of high-resolution georeferenced imagery; 2) study the impact of climate change in seascapes (seascape change), with a focus on macrophytes (seagrass and seaweed) and associated organisms as well as the role that macrophytes may have in mitigating the effects of ocean acidification; and 3) assess connectivity of mobile organisms (fish) within seascapes and between shallow nursery seascapes (<7 m) and deeper adult habitat (reef deeper than 7 m). These data are combined from MB11_2022 and MB12_2022 surveys. This dataset is used to map, delineate and classify the seabed for the purpose of classifying habitats, ecosystems, understanding spatial pattern-process linkages in marine environments (biological and geological).