Key ecological features are the parts of the marine ecosystem that are considered to be of importance for a marine region's biodiversity or ecosystem function and integrity.Key ecological features (KEFs) meet one or more of the following criteria:a species, group of species, or a community with a regionally important ecological role (e.g. a predator, prey that affects a large biomass or number of other marine species);a species, group of species, or a community that is nationally or regionally important for biodiversity;an area or habitat that is nationally or regionally important for:enhanced or high productivity (such as predictable upwellings - an upwelling occurs when cold nutrient-rich waters from the bottom of the ocean rise to the surface);aggregations of marine life (such as feeding, resting, breeding or nursery areas);biodiversity and endemism (species which only occur in a specific area); ora unique seafloor feature, with known or presumed ecological properties of regional significance.KEFs have been identified by the Australian Government on the basis of advice from scientists about the ecological processes and characteristics of the area. A workshop held in Darwin in 2007 also contributed to this scientific advice and helped to underpin the identification of key ecological features.As new information becomes available, the spatial representations of identified key ecological features will continue to be refined and updated.Sixteen KEFs have been identified in the South-west Marine Region:Commonwealth marine environment surrounding the Houtman Abrolhos IslandsPerth Canyon and adjacent shelf break, and other west coast canyonsCommonwealth marine environment within and adjacent to the west coast inshore lagoonsCommonwealth marine environment within and adjacent to Geographe BayCape Mentelle upwellingNaturaliste PlateauDiamantina Fracture ZoneAlbany Canyons group and adjacent shelf breakCommonwealth marine environment surrounding the Recherche ArchipelagoAncient coastline at 90-120 m depthKangaroo Island Pool, canyons and adjacent shelf break, and Eyre Peninsula upwellings.Meso-scale eddies (points).Western demersal slope and associated fish communities.Western rock lobster.Benthic invertebrate communities of the eastern Great Australian Bight. No spatial representation available.Small pelagic fish of the South-west Marine Region. No spatial representation available.Thirteen KEFs have been identified in the North-west Marine Region:Ancient coastline at 125 m depth contourAshmore Reef and Cartier Island and surrounding Commonwealth watersCanyons linking the Argo Abyssal Plain and Scott PlateauCanyons linking the Cuvier Abyssal Plain and the Cape Range PeninsulaCarbonate bank and terrace system of the Sahul ShelfCommonwealth waters adjacent to Ningaloo ReefContinental Slope Demersal Fish CommunitiesExmouth PlateauGlomar ShoalsMermaid Reed and Commonwealth waters surrounding the Rowley ShoalsPinnacles of the Bonaparte BasinSeringapatam Reef and Commonwealth waters in the Scott Reef ComplexWallaby SaddleEight KEFs have been identified in the North Marine Region:Carbonate bank and terrace system of the Van Diemen RiseShelf break and slope of the Arafura ShelfTributary canyons of the Arafura DepressionGulf of Carpentaria basinGulf of Carpentaria coastal zonePlateaux and saddle north-west of the Wellesley IslandsPinnacles of the Bonaparte BasinSubmerged coral reefs of the Gulf of CarpentariaThree KEFs have been identified in the Coral Sea:Tasmantid seamount chainReefs, cays and hebivorous fish of the Queensland PlateauReefs, cays and hebivorous fish of the Marion PlateauEight KEFs were identified in the Temperate East marine Region:Tasmantid seamount chainLord Howe seamount chainNorfolk RidgeCanyons on the eastern continental slopeShelf rocky reefsElizabeth and Middleton reefsUpwelling off Fraser IslandTasman Front and eddy fieldEight KEFs were identified in the South-east Marine Region.Seamounts, east and south of TasmaniaWest Tasmanian canyonsBonney coast upwellingUpwelling east of EdenBig Horseshoe canyonEast Tasmania tropical convergence zone. No spatial representation availableBass cascade. No spatial representation availableShelf rocky reefs and hard substrate. No spatial representation availableIn order to create a spatial representation of KEFs for each Marine Region, some interpretation of the information was required. DSEWPaC has made every effort to use the best available spatial information and best judgement on how to spatially represent the features based on the scientific advice provided. This does not preclude others from making their own interpretation of available information.
