Estimates of Wind Drift Coefficient to Inform Biophysical Models of Seagrass Dispersal in the Great Barrier Reef

Other Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Tol, Samantha J.;Carter, Alexandra;York, Paul H.;Grech, Alana;Situ, Rong;Coles, Robert G.
Abstract

The rate of exchange, or connectivity, among populations affects population and metapopulation dynamics and genetics, responses to species invasions and disease transmission, species expansion, and population growth (Cowen and Sponaugle 2009). In the case of marine aquatic plants such as seagrasses, dispersal of propagules (seeds, fruit, or viable plant fragments) is critical to the distribution, structure, and resilience of populations (Kendrick et al. 2012). The convective forces of ocean waves and currents are efficient vectors for dispersal of seagrass and facilitate the replenishment and recovery of populations after disturbance at multiple spatial and temporal scales (McMahon et al. 2014; Grech et al. 2016; Kendrick et al. 2017). Connectivity underpins the persistence of seagrass populations, so knowledge on mechanisms and pathways for seagrass dispersal are integral to the design of management and conservation actions.

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Oceanographic Processes of Coral Reefs: Physical and Biological Links in the Great Barrier Reef

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ISBN/ISSN

9781003320425

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Pages Count

9

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CRC Press

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Boca Raton, Florida, USA

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DOI

10.1201/9781003320425-15