Dynamics of a deep-water seagrass population on the Great Barrier Reef: annual occurrence and response to a major dredging program

Global seagrass research efforts have focused on shallow coastal and estuarine seagrass populations where alarming declines have been recorded. Comparatively little is known about the dynamics of deep-water seagrasses despite evidence that they form extensive meadows in some parts of the world. Deep...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2015-08, Vol.5 (1), p.13167-13167, Article 13167
Main Authors: York, Paul H, Carter, Alex B, Chartrand, Kathryn, Sankey, Tonia, Wells, Linda, Rasheed, Michael A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alismatales - physiology
Australia
Climate
Coral Reefs
Dredging
Grasses
Meadows
Plumes
Population
Population Dynamics
Recruitment
Seagrasses
Seasons
Water Quality
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Summary:Global seagrass research efforts have focused on shallow coastal and estuarine seagrass populations where alarming declines have been recorded. Comparatively little is known about the dynamics of deep-water seagrasses despite evidence that they form extensive meadows in some parts of the world. Deep-water seagrasses are subject to similar anthropogenic threats as shallow meadows, particularly along the Great Barrier Reef lagoon where they occur close to major population centres. We examine the dynamics of a deep-water seagrass population in the GBR over an 8 year period during which time a major capital dredging project occurred. Seasonal and inter-annual changes in seagrasses were assessed as well as the impact of dredging. The seagrass population was found to occur annually, generally present between July and December each year. Extensive and persistent turbid plumes from a large dredging program over an 8 month period resulted in a failure of the seagrasses to establish in 2006, however recruitment occurred the following year and the regular annual cycle was re-established. Results show that despite considerable inter annual variability, deep-water seagrasses had a regular annual pattern of occurrence, low resistance to reduced water quality but a capacity for rapid recolonisation on the cessation of impacts.
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/srep13167