Print PageOutlook Online 2009
Interaction of climate change with seagrass species
Management Concern: High
Adequacy of Information: Moderate
Summary extracts from Outlook Report 2009
- The Great Barrier Reef is maintaining seagrass biodiversity with local fluctuations in inshore waters.
- Observations suggest that there have been shifts in species composition in some seagrass beds, but do not indicate any Reef-wide changes.
- Seagrasses are sensitive to increasing temperatures and extreme weather events.
What do we know?
Relevant pages from Outlook Online:
- Vulnerability of seagrasses in the Great Barrier Reef to climate change
- Sea level rise
- An atlas of tropical cyclones in the Great Barrier Reef 1969-1997
- Sea surface temperature
- Global distribution of coral, mangrove and seagrass diversity
- Diversity and distribution of shallow seagrass beds in the Great Barrier Reef
- Trends in seagrass distribution in the Great Barrier Reef
Existing policies and management actions
- State Coastal Management Plan 2002
- Coastal Ecosystem Management Position Paper
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Zoning Plan
- Australian Government policy on climate change
- Queensland Government climate change policies and strategies
- Climate Change Action Plan 2007-2012
- SeagrassWatch
- Reef Rescue Marine Monitoring program
- Improving water quality
- Coastal ecosystem protection
Future management requirements
- Draft Queensland Coastal Management Plan
- 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.
Related information
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Free Zoning Maps
If you're heading out on the water, don't forget your free Zoning Map so you know where you can go and what you can do.
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Whale of a time
The Great Barrier Reef is a hive of activity. If you're lucky enough to see a humpback whale from May to September, make sure you keep a safe distance.
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Important milestone
We're delighted to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park's World Heritage listing.
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Visit the Reef
Visit our Great Barrier Reef and discover its amazing plants, animals and habitats. There are a range of tourism experiences on offer.
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What you can do
Everyone has a role to play in protecting our Great Barrier Reef. Find out what you can do to help protect this Great Australian icon.
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Report marine strandings
If you see sick, dead or stranded marine animals please call RSPCA QLD 1300 ANIMAL
(1300 264 625) -
Climate Change and the Great Barrier Reef
A Vulnerability Assessment: of the issues that could have far-reaching consequences for the Great Barrier Reef.
