Port of Weipa long-term seagrass monitoring: 2000-2014
Other Publication ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Key Findings: 1. Seagrasses in the Port of Weipa were in a good condition with biomass, area and species composition of monitoring meadows all close to or above the long-term average. 2. The 4,741 ha of seagrass mapped in the broader port limit extent was the second highest recorded since monitoring began in 2000. 3. Results of the seagrass and light monitoring indicate that Weipa's marine environment was in a healthy condition. 4. The good condition of seagrasses, including the large Enhalus acoroides meadow (A2) on the western bank of the Embley River, means seagrasses should continue to be resilient to planned maintenance dredging activities in 2015 without the requirement for additional mitigation measures. 5. Monitoring of light (Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR)) at key seagrass locations indicates that the light environment remained favourable for seagrass growth during the majority of 2013-2014. The light environment naturally fell below the likely light requirements for seagrass for a short period of time during the peak of the wet season. 6. Tidal exposure and solar radiation explain a significant component of previous declines in some intertidal meadows. More frequent (quarterly) assessments of seagrass change coupled to the PAR monitoring would enable a better understanding of the actual light requirements for seagrasses in Weipa and help to develop relevant light thresholds for management. 7. The good condition of seagrasses in Weipa and other monitoring locations in the Gulf of Carpentaria and Torres Strait contrast with many of the seagrass meadows on Queensland’s east coast that were significantly impacted by major climate events and are yet to fully recover.
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15/02
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48
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TropWATER, James Cook University
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Cairns, QLD, Australia
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