Research

Seagrass Meadows, Australia

"How are seagrasses important to the marine ecosystem?

Seagrass communities are one of the most productive and dynamic ecosystems. They provide habitats and nursery grounds for many marine animals, and act as substrate stabilisers.

In northern Australia, seagrass meadows are important as they provide sheltered refuges and feeding areas for prawns and juvenile fish. In some coastal areas, entire fisheries may depend on the productivity of these seagrass beds.

The rhizomes and roots of the grasses bind sediments on the bottom, where nutrients are recycled by microorganisms back into the marine ecosystem. The leaves of the grasses slow water flow, allowing suspended material to settle on the bottom. This increases the amount of light reaching the seagrass bed and creates a calm habitat for many species.

Seagrass meadows are a major food source for a number of grazing animals in the Great Barrier Reef region. The dugong ( Dugongdugon ) and the green turtle ( Cheloniamydas ) mainly feed on seagrass. An adult green turtle eats about two kilograms of seagrass a day while an adult dugong eats about 28 kilograms a day."


Australia:

Australia has the most seagrass species in the
world with over half of the reported 60 species.
Western Australia can claim the largest and most
diverse seagrass meadows in the world with an
unrivalled 27 species covering an estimated 20,000
square kilometres.

Seagrasses harbour and support a large variety of marine
life. Their leaves and rhizomes are a highly suitable surface
for the attachment of marine organisms, such as bacteria,
protozoans, algae, sponges, bryozoans, polychaete worms
and ascidians. The collective array of attached organisms is
referred to as ‘epibiota’.


List of Animal Species:



Western Rock Lobster
 garfish
Dugong
Green Turtle
Port Jackson Shark
Rock Flathead
Blue Ring Octopus
Black Swan
Eagle ray
Leather Jacket
Six Spined Leather Jacket
Dimpling Squid
Pipe Fish
Vermillion Sea Star
King George Whiting
Leafy Seadragon
Peanut Worm
Sea Hare

Seagrass Plants
http://www.mesa.edu.au/seagrass/seagrass03a.asp