Print PageOutlook Online 2009
Interaction of catchment runoff with macroalgae
Management Concern: High Adequacy of Information: Moderate
Summary extracts from Outlook Report 2009
- The biodiversity of macroalgae is being maintained but there is little information about its condition.
- Higher concentrations of nutrients potentially lead to a decrease in coral diversity and an increase in macroalgae abundance. Such a shift drastically affects the overall resilience of the ecosystem as a dominance of macroalgae reduces the chance for new hard corals to establish and grow.
What do we know? (relevant pages from Outlook Online)
- Algal diversity and distribution
- Ecological roles of macroalgae
- State of the Great Barrier Reef report: macroalgae
[744Kb] - List of Australian vulnerable macroalgae
- List of Australian vulnerable macroalgae II
- Macroalgae, nutrients and phase shifts on coral reefs
- Indirect effects of algae on coral: algae-mediated, microbe-induced coral mortality
- Blooms of 'Golden Noodle' algae on the Great Barrier Reef
- Coral community changes in the Whitsundays Islands
- Reef Water Quality Protection Plan Inshore Reef Monitoring: hard coral, soft coral and algal cover
- Development intensification and water quality pressures on the Great Barrier Reef ecosystems
- Changes in algal, coral and fish assemblages along water quality gradients
- Competition between corals and algae on coral reefs
- Water Quality effects on macroalgae
Existing policies and management actions
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park legislation and regulations
- Improving water quality
- Coastal ecosystem protection
- Water Quality Guidelines for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
- Regional water quality improvement plans
- Plans of Management
- Permits
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan
Future management requirements
- Biodiversity strategy
Defined research questions
- There are currently no defined research questions for this topic. Research questions will be developed, giving priority to interactions/issues that are of most concern to management.
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