The East Bioregional Profile identified a number of ecological features that are of conservation value because of the role they play in the environment of theTemperate East Marine Region. Key ecological features (KEFs) meet one or more of the following criteria:
1. 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 a number of marine species);
2. a species, group of species or a community that is nationally or regionally important for biodiversity;
3. an area or habitat that is nationally or regionally important for:
a) 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);
b) aggregations of marine life (such as feeding, resting, breeding or nursery areas);
c) biodiversity and endemism (species which only occur in a specific area); or
4. a 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 Perth in September 2006 also contributed to this scientific advice and helped to underpin the identification of key ecological features. 8 KEFs were identified in the Temperate East marine Region:
Tasmantid seamount chain
Lord Howe seamount chain
Norfolk Ridge
Canyons on the eastern continental slope
Shelf rocky reefs
Elizabeth and Middleton reefs
Upwelling off Fraser Island
Tasman Front and eddy field
In order to create a spatial representation of KEFs for the Temperate East Marine Region, some interpretation of the information was required. DoE 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.
