Carter, Alex, Chartrand, Katie, Wells, Jaclyn, and Rasheed, Michael (2019) Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership 2019 Report Card, ISP011: seagrass. Report. James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia.

PDF (Published Version) - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only

Abstract

Seagrass condition was assessed for 14 monitoring meadows across six Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership (GHHP) reporting zones in November 2018 (GHHP 2019 reporting year).

Gladstone Harbour’s satisfactory seagrass condition this year is a noteworthy improvement. This is the first time since reporting began for GHHP (2014 reporting year) that the harbour’s overall seagrass condition has improved beyond poor.

Overall condition scores increased in every monitoring zone from the previous year. In particular, condition scores in The Narrows and Western Basin zones increased from the poor range in the 2018 reporting year to the good range this year.

Substantial seagrass recovery occurred in the Rodds Bay zone for the first time since major loss a decade ago.

Subtidal Meadow 7 returned, and in very good condition, following the meadow’s disappearance just 12 months prior.

The continued dominance of less persistent and colonising Halophila species relative to the more stable Z. muelleri subsp. capricorni is an indication that many meadows are yet to fully recover to their baseline conditions. Species composition was the lowest of the three indicator scores in 50% of the meadows, meaning that overall meadow scores were often in the poor to satisfactory range despite good to very good biomass and area condition.

This is the first GHHP report card where a 10-year baseline is available for all indicators in all meadows.

Improved seagrass condition in the Gladstone Harbour region is likely due to the relatively dry and benign environmental conditions optimal for seagrass growth throughout 2018. Seagrass condition should continue to improve if conditions remain favourable during 2019.

This report is presented in two parts. Part 1 summarises report card results for the annual survey. Part 2 is an accompanying technical report that details methods, analysis, results and interpretation.

Item ID:	70856
Item Type:	Report (Report)
Keywords:	seagrass, Gladstone, monitoring, report card
Copyright Information:	© James Cook University, 2019.
Funders:	Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership
Date Deposited:	16 Nov 2021 01:31
FoR Codes:	41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4104 Environmental management > 410402 Environmental assessment and monitoring @ 100%
SEO Codes:	18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1802 Coastal and estuarine systems and management > 180201 Assessment and management of coastal and estuarine ecosystems @ 100%
Downloads:	Total: 1
	More Statistics