Port of Bundaberg Spoil Ground Seagrass and Benthic Fauna Survey 2020
Other Publication ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
1. Seagrasses and benthic infauna at the Port of Bundaberg spoil ground were surveyed between the 27th –30th of October 2020 in conjunction with a whole port survey. 2. There was no evidence that sediment deposition in the Port of Bundaberg spoil ground was having any measurable effect on benthic habitats surrounding the spoil ground. 3. Seagrass was found at all sites sampled both inside and outside the spoil ground and was part of a large deep‐water meadow consisting of the species Halophila decipiens, H. ovalis and H. spinulosa. 4. Seagrass cover was sparse to moderate and mean biomass was low (0.83 ± 0.15 g DW m‐2) typical of deep‐water seagrass species found throughout North Queensland. Seagrass biomass was not significantly different inside the spoil ground compared to outside the spoil ground or as distance to the spoil ground increased. 5. More sites had seagrass in 2020 than the previous survey in 2015 but seagrass cover was lower than in 2015. 6. A total of 924 benthic invertebrates were collected belonging to 103 taxa including 10 phyla and 88 families. 7. Polychaetes were the most common taxa followed by crustaceans. These two groups represented 85% of the invertebrates sampled. 8. Infauna communities were more diverse and abundant outside the spoil ground but there was no relationship as distance to the spoil ground increased. 9. There was a positive relationship between seagrass biomass and infauna diversity and abundance throughout the survey area. 10. Infauna assemblages were more diverse than previous surveys in 2015 and 2011 but may be related to different sampling techniques across surveys. Overall abundance and distribution was similar. 11. Sediment was dominantly sand across the survey area. Fine sediment contributed below 5% to the sediment composition. There was no difference in sediment condition inside and outside the spoil ground. These patterns are similar to surveys in 2011 and 2015. 12. Due to the highly variable nature of deep‐water seagrass communities we suggest that future spoil ground assessments incorporate a broader port limits survey area for seagrass assessment to ensure a true picture of seagrass presence between years.
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21/08
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40
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TropWATER, James Cook University
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Cairns, QLD, Australia
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