Growth effects of shading and sedimentation in two tropical seagrass species: implications for port management and impact assessment

Benham, Claudia F., Beavis, Sara G., Hendry, Rebecca A., and Jackson, Emma L. (2016) Growth effects of shading and sedimentation in two tropical seagrass species: implications for port management and impact assessment. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 109 (1). pp. 461-470.

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Abstract

Seagrass meadows in many parts of the globe are threatened by a range of processes including port development, dredging and land clearing in coastal catchments, which can reduce water clarity and increase sedimentation pressure. As rates of seagrass loss increase, there is an urgent need to understand the potential impacts of development on these critical species. This research compares the effects of shading and burial by fine sand on two seagrass species Zostera muelleri and Halophila ovalis in Port Curtis Bay, an industrial harbour located on the continental margin adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef Heritage Area, Australia. The research finds that shading in combination with burial causes a significant decline in growth rates in both species, but that burial mm reduces growth rates to a greater extent than shading. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of these findings for port management and impact assessment.

Item ID: 48499
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1879-3363
Keywords: dredging, sedimentation, coastal management, Great Barrier Reef, GBR, port development, Zostera muelleri (subsp capricomii), Halophila ovalis
Funders: CSIRO Energy, Australian National University (ANU), Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS), Central Queensland University (CQU)
Projects and Grants: RCS Phyllis Montgomerie Award 2015, CQU New Staff Research Grant (NEST)
Date Deposited: 12 Apr 2017 09:04
FoR Codes: 41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4102 Ecological applications > 410299 Ecological applications not elsewhere classified @ 50%
41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4104 Environmental management > 410404 Environmental management @ 50%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9609 Land and Water Management > 960902 Coastal and Estuarine Land Management @ 50%
96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960802 Coastal and Estuarine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 50%
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