The role of seagrass dispersal by marine mega-herbivores, dugong (Dugong dugon) and green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas). (Old ID 22411)

Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales
Role

Principal Investigator

Description

This project will investigate the dispersal mechanisms of tropical seagrasses and determine which mechanisms are most effective for long distance dispersal. It will examine whether marine mega-herbivores (dugongs and green sea turtles) disperse seagrass seeds through their fecal matter and whether those seeds are viable. It will determine how long seagrass fragments, created by abiotic and biotic mechanisms, remain viable and establish new meadows. This information will be used to model which seagrass meadows are at greater risk of slow recovery after a large scale loss. This recovery model will have the potential to highlight which seagrass meadows rely solely on dispersal by marine mega-herbivores for recovery.

Date

02 Mar 2014 - 02 Mar 2017

Project Type

GRANT

Keywords

tropical seagrass;Dugong (Dugong dugon);Chelonia mydas;Seagrass Dispersal;Seagrass Seed;Seagrass Fruit

Funding Body

Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales

Amount

7000

Project Team

Brad Congdon;Rob Coles