Taylor, H.A., McKenna, S.A., and Rasheed, M.A. (2010) Long term seagrass monitoring in the Port of Thursday Island: February 2010. Report. Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI), Cairns, QLD, Australia.

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Abstract

Seagrass habitats are valuable fisheries resources that show measurable responses to changes in water quality. These attributes make seagrasses an ideal barometer to determine the health of estuarine and coastal environments. A network of long term seagrass monitoring sites has been established at various port locations throughout Queensland by Fisheries Queensland to assess condition of marine habitats. The outcome of these programs assist port managers in the planning and development of port operations to achieve minimal impacts on the marine environment and fisheries management to protect key fish habitats. This report details the findings from the fourth biennial Port of Thursday Island long term seagrass monitoring program conducted in February 2010.

The results of the 2010 monitoring survey found that seagrasses were in a relatively healthy and productive condition. Seagrass meadow area was at its greatest to date in the monitoring program and declines to Enhalus acoroides meadows in recent years were halted and in some cases, recovery was evident. Additionally, meadows dominated by Halodule uninervis (thin) generally increased in density (biomass). Seagrasses in the Port of Thursday Island are influenced by a complex interaction of a number of different climatic factors including rainfall, wind, solar irradiance, temperature and daytime tidal exposure, which are known to affect seagrass growth, recruitment and mortality. It is likely that a combination of these factors has led to the observed changes.

The 2002 baseline survey identified some of the best examples of intertidal and subtidal seagrasses in Queensland and provided a good foundation from which the biennial monitoring surveys in the Port of Thursday Island could be based. This fourth biennial survey has established a clearer picture of the natural inter-annual variations and the relationship between seagrass change and climate. However correctly interpreting the causes of seagrass change is difficult when surveys are undertaken biennially. An annual seagrass program similar to other port locations throughout Queensland would provide a greater understanding of seagrass health and dynamics. The existing biennial program suggests seagrasses and the marine environment in the port appear to be relatively healthy. The range of natural seagrass changes measured to date will enable any future changes to be placed in a clearer perspective.

Item ID:	39693
Item Type:	Report (Report)
Keywords:	seagrass habitats, port management, recovery, resilience, dredging, marine monitoring, environmental monitoring
Funders:	Far North Queensland Ports Corporation (FNQPC) trading as Ports North, Qld Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI)
Projects and Grants:	DEEDI Marine Ecology Group (MEG)
Date Deposited:	25 Aug 2015 05:49
FoR Codes:	05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0502 Environmental Science and Management > 050205 Environmental Management @ 50% 05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0502 Environmental Science and Management > 050206 Environmental Monitoring @ 50%
SEO Codes:	96 ENVIRONMENT > 9605 Ecosystem Assessment and Management > 960503 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Coastal and Estuarine Environments @ 50% 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9605 Ecosystem Assessment and Management > 960507 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Marine Environments @ 50%
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