Grech & Marsh (2007) used information collected from dugong aerial surveys in conjunction with geostatistical techniques, including universal kriging, to develop a model of dugong distribution and abundance. After completing the model, frequency analyses was conducted to categorise relative dugong density and distribution to identify areas of low, medium or high conservation value. As dugongs extend over a wide distributional range, prioritising areas of conservation value has the potential to be an important basis for administering management resources. Grech & Marsh (2007) conclude that spatially explicit population models are an effective component of species conservation management, particularly for species that range over large, complex and dynamic regions.

Grech & Marsh (2007) report that the index of average relative dugong density in the entire GBRWHA was estimated to be 0.077 dugongs/km²; relative density ranged from 0.0011 to 9.86 dugongs/km². Average dugong relative density in the remote north is seven times higher than the urban coast (0.145 compared with 0.020 dugongs/km²). The highest relative density is also greater in the remote north with a range of 0.0036 to 9.86 dugongs/km² compared with the urban coast range of 0.0011 to 1.92 dugongs/km². The areas of highest relative density (or ‘hot spots’) in the remote north are in the Friendly Point and Port Stewart regions, and between Lookout Point and Princess Charlotte Bay. ‘Hot spots’ along the urban coast are north of Hinchinbrook Island, Cleveland Bay, and the Shoalwater Bay region including Port Clinton.

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Citation and/or URL

Grech, A. & Marsh, H. 2007,  Prioritising areas for dugong conservation in a marine protected area using a spatially explicit population model. Applied GIS 3(2): 1-14

Spatial Coverage

 Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area

Temporal Coverage

 1986 - 2005

Update Frequency

 Not applicable 

Other Information

Marsh, H.d., Hodgson, A., Lawler, I., Grech, A. and delean, S. 2007.  Condition, status and trends and projected futures of the dugong in the Norether Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait; including identification and evaluation of the key threats and evaluation of available management options to improve its status.  Project 1.4.1. Objective A, Marine & Tropical Sciences Research Facility, Cairns (66pp). 

Marsh, H.D., & Lawler, I.R. (2006). Dugong distribution and abundance on the urban coast of Queensland:  a basis for management.  Final Report to Marine and Tropical Research Facility Interim Projects 2005-6. 1-85, James Cook University.

Dobbs, K., Fernandes, L., Slegers, S., Jago, B., Thompson, L., Hall, J., Day, J., Cameron, D., Tanzer, J., Macdonald, F., Marsh, H., and Coles, R., (2007). Incorporating dugong habitats into the marine protected area design for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Queensland, Australia.  Oceans and Coastal Management 51: 368-375.