| Summary: | Maintenance and Update Frequency: notPlanned Statement: Details of sampling procedures are given metadata records e3196ef0-e33c-11dc-97b4-00188b4c0af8 and 9c793960-e5af-11dc-a14a-00188b4c0af8. The coverage estimate was based on aerial photographs, presence of rhizomes and data in McKenzie (1962). Mean biomasses and production values m-2 obtained in 1988 were extrapolated to estimate the total biomass and production of seagrasses in Princess Royal Harbour in 1960 and 1988. Data on the area occupied by seagrasses were then combined with information on biomasses of invertebrates within the beds to estimate total invertebrate biomass in seagrass beds. Marine invertebrate biomass in seagrass beds and non-vegetated sediments were combined with estimates of the lifespans of each species to produce an estimate of dry weight production per m-2 for each of the major taxonomic groups. Data on biomass per unit area and production estimates were used to provide estimates of total biomass and production by benthic marine invertebrates in the system in 1960 and 1988. ***References***McKenzie, K. G. 1962. Oyster Harbour: a marginal marine environment. Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Western Australia. The study draws on the results of the studies described in metadata records (e3196ef0-e33c-11dc-97b4-00188b4c0af8 and 9c793960-e5af-11dc-a14a-00188b4c0af8) to demonstrate some of the effects of the loss of seagrasses to the total ecosystem. The area of meadows of the three dominant seagrass species in Princess Royal Harbour in 1960 was compared to the area in 1998.
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