Seagrass habitat of Cairns Harbour and Trinity Inlet: sediment seed bank analysis
Other Publication ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
An examination of the density of seagrass seeds and their viability was conducted in Cairns Harbour in July 2013. The assessment was conducted in response to large scale seagrass declines that have occurred over the past 4 years, to assess the likelihood of seeds continuing to provide a mechanism for future recovery of the meadows. Results of the survey found that: • Cairns Harbour still contained viable seeds of the foundation species Zostera capricorni and Halodule uninervis on the banks that previously supported large seagrass meadows • Seed density and viability of those seeds was considered low compared to the limited data for other meadows that have been studied in Queensland • It was likely that the seeds of both species that remained were at least 18 months old and it is unknown how much longer they would remain viable without replenishment. This study was commissioned as a proactive environmental management action by Ports North to improve the understanding of the ecological processes of Trinity Bay and to better inform and guide management of the port area. As this is the first detailed survey to assess seed viability within Trinity Bay, conclusions drawn from the collected data are based on an initial understanding of recovery dynamics within Trinity Bay seagrass habitats. Future investigations are recommended, and further information may become evident during the 2013-14 monitoring surveys which will assist in interpreting the findings of this study in the broader context of the status of Queensland's coastal seagrass resources.
Journal
N/A
Publication Name
N/A
Volume
13/48
ISBN/ISSN
N/A
Edition
N/A
Issue
N/A
Pages Count
22
Location
N/A
Publisher
TropWATER, James Cook University
Publisher Url
N/A
Publisher Location
Cairns, QLD, Australia
Publish Date
N/A
Url
N/A
Date
N/A
EISSN
N/A
DOI
N/A