Seagrass
NERP Masters student Adam Wilkinson preparing seagrass for herbicide exposure. Responses to herbicide measured in the seagrass include effects on photosynthesis, damage to the photosystem, energetics via C/N ratios and lipid analysis along with growth and leaf mortality. (Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville)
by Florita Flores (AIMS)
This meadows is reef top meadow fringing the mainland. The framework for classifying seagrass habitats developed in project 3.2.1. was developed to group seagrass communities based on habitat conditions
by Catherine Collier
This meadow is a reef top meadow in Cape York. The framework for classifying seagrass habitats developed in project 3.2.1. was developed to group seagrass communities based on habitat conditions.
by Catherine Collier
This is a reeftop meadow that fringes an island in Cape York. The framework for classifying seagrass habitats developed in project 3.2.1. was developed to group seagrass communities based on habitat conditions.
by Catherine Collier
Cleveleland Bay has extensive and diverse seagrass meadows which support dugong, turtle and many other fish and invertebrates. This image shows the intertidal seagrass meadows when exposed at low tide. Dark green areas are patches of seagrass, while the brown areas are patches of sand and mud, with some light seagrass.
by JCU - TropWATER
Seagrass is commonly found on intertidal flats surrounding islands and cays
by JCU - TropWATER, Seagrass Ecology Group
The framework for classifying seagrass habitats developed in project 3.2.1. includes depth as a habitat characteristics that differentiates habitats. Deep meadows (>10m) are comprised of species that can tolerate low light at depth and they tend to be sparse.
Dugong (Dugong dugon) depend on seagrass meadows for foraging. Dugong feeding trails are a common feature in seagrass meadows
by JCU - TropWATER, Seagrass Ecology Group
Dugongs are seagrass specialists, eating a range of different seagrass species. They feed by 'excavating' and by 'cropping'. This image shows the trails left behind after a dugong has excavated a shallow subtidal meadow of Halodule uninervis at Magnetic Island near Townsville.
by JCU - TropWATER
Chronic exposure of seagrass to herbicides in an aquarium system. This flow-through system enables potted seagrass to be exposed to herbicides for long (3-month) periods under a variety of light conditions. (Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville)
by Philip Mercurio (AIMS)
Intertidal seagrasses are often surveyed by helicopter enabling broad-scale surveys over a low tide window.
by JCU - TropWATER, Seagrass Ecology Group
Seagrass meadows growing in the coastal zone are strongly influenced by water quality. Therefore, proximity to, and exposure to riverine discharge has been an important considering when developing the framework for classifying habitats.
by Catherine Collier
Intertidal seagrass meadow in Cleveland Bay near Townsville, Australia.
by JCU - TropWATER, Seagrass Ecology Group
Zostera muelleri growing in low salinity at 9 PSU for 8 weeks had proliferated (increased shoot density) showing signs of a mild hypo-salinity stress response.
by Catherine Collier (JCU)
There are 15 species of seagrass in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Many of the seagrass meadows are commmunities of mixed species. This image shows the species Cymodocea serrulata (wide, strap-like), Halophila spinulosa (fern-like), and Halodule uninervis (narrow, strap-like) in a shallow subtidal meadow at Magnetic Island near Townsvile.
by JCU - TropWATER
This photo shows 4 different species: Cymodocea rotundata, Halodule uninervis, Thalassia hemprichii, and Syringodium isoetifolium. The framework for classifying seagrass habitats developed in project 3.2.1. was developed to group seagrass communities comprised of single or mixed species such as this one.
by Catherine Collier
Seagrass at Magnetic Island Reef Rescue MMP site in Feb 2011.
by Catherine Collier (JCU)
Seagrass at Magnetic Island Reef Rescue MMP site in Jan 2008.
by Catherine Collier (JCU)
Seagrasses are collected with roots and rhizomes intact and transported to aquarium facilities for testing their vulnerability to changing water quality.
by Catherine Collier (JCU)
Seagrass meadows cover ~10% of the Great Barrier Reef World heritage Area. Intertidal seagrasses can be surveyed from helicopter at low tide, enabling a large area to be surveyed cost-effectively. This image shows seagrass meadows being surveyed by TropWATER (JCU) in Cleveland Bay in September 2017. This annual survey is funded by the Port of Townsville.
by JCU - TropWATER