Tasmanian seagrass communities ...

• Main Author: Rees, CG
• Format: Thesis
• Language: unknown
• Published: University Of Tasmania 2023
• Subjects: Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.25959/23206907; https://figshare.utas.edu.au/articles/thesis/Tasmanian_seagrass_communities/23206907

Seagrasses are marine angiosperms that grow in sheltered coastal and estuarine water bodies. They play a significant role in coastal marine ecology, and are important breeding and feeding grounds for a number of fish species. However, seagrasses are vulnerable to the impacts of some human activities through their sensitivity to reduced light energy. This may be lowered by increased turbidity and sedimentation, or the excessive growth of algal epiphytes in response to raised nutrient levels. Five seagrass species occur in Tasmania, Amphibolis antarctica (Labill.) Sonder et Aschers., Halophila australis Doty & Stone, Heterozostera tasmanica (Marten ex Aschers.), Posidonia australis Hook. f. and Zostera muelleri Irmisch & Aschers., their presence or absence defining five zones around the Tasmanian coast. Most coastal areas were sampled., and seagrass beds located. When sampling these beds, the species, depth, density, substratum and presence of algal epiphytes were recorded. Using available aerial ...