Lee Long et al., 1996:

"Recent surveys in the Great Barrier Reef region, northeastern Australia, have located vast areas of seagrass habitat at depths between 15 and 58m, composed primarily of Halophila species. Deepwater seagrasses are being studied to assess the extent of the resource and the fisheries and ecological values of these habitats. Inter-reef meadows included Halophila ovalis, H. spinulosa, H. tricostata, H. decipiens and related plants of this genus which may be undescribed species. High fecundity, fast growth and adaptability to low-light conditions possibly favour Halophila species over others in deep water. Observed distribution patterns (restricted to south of 14^oS) for the annual species H. tricostata and H. decipiens cannot be explained without further analysis. There is only a superficial knowledge of the ecological role of these deepwater communities, and little information of spatial distribution and patterns of temporal change. Preliminary findings indicate that as nursery habitats for juveniles of commercially valued prawn and fish, deepwater seagrasses support far less animals on a unit area basis, than do near-by shallow water seagrasses. There is an established close association between area of seagrass and dugong population size. Information on deepwater seagrass biology, physiology and prevailing environmental conditions is required to analyse the health and stability of these resources.  There is a possibility of widespread losses of deepwater seagrasses caused by high sediment loads and flood runoff from coastal catchments. Prudent land-use management will help to minimise these impacts. The Cooperative Research Centre for Sustainable Use of the Great Barrier Reef supports efforts to map remaining areas of deepwater seagrass habitats. These research programs will establish the patterns and mechanisms involved in loss and recovery of these meadows, and provide information which will help minimise anthropogenic impacts on this component of the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem."

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Citation and/or URL

Lee Long, W.I., Coles, R.G., McKenzie, 1996, Deepwater seagrasses in Northeastern Australia - how deep, how meaningful? Proceedings of an International Workshop on Seagrass Biology, Rottnest Island (Western Australia), 25-29 January 1996, ed. J. Kuo, University of Western Australia, Perth, pp. 41 

Spatial Coverage

Great Barrier Reef

Temporal Coverage

1990s 

Update Frequency

Not applicable 

Other Information

None