Deriving ecologically relevant load targets to meet desire ecosystem condition for the Great Barrier Reef: a case study for seagrass meadows in the Burdekin region (Old ID 23153)

Department of the Environment and Energy
Role

Principal Investigator

Description

This project will derive ecologically relevant targets (ERTs) for water quality and sediment loads by: 1) defining seagrass desired state targets; 2) calculating water quality guidelines (light); and 3) calculating ERTs for terrestrially sourced sediment loads. Historical and new data collections will be used to derive ERTs via statistical models and eReefs (RECOM), and the seagrass sub-model in eReefs will be used to test ERTs. A framework for setting seagrass desired state will be developed for the entire GBR and water quality guidelines and sediment load ERTs will be quantitatively defined for the Burdekin basin where suspended sediments affect seagrass condition.

Date

01 Jan 2017 - 30 Mar 2020

Project Type

GRANT

Keywords

Seagrass;Sediment Loads;Indicators;eReefs;Water Quality;benthic light

Funding Body

Department of the Environment and Energy

Amount

345364

Project Team

Jon Brodie;Rob Coles;Alexandra Carter;Michael Rasheed;Len McKenzie