JCU TropWATER’s Research to Help Protect Marine Environment

James Cook University (JCU) has released a new research that will guide the protection of seagrasses at Abbot Point on Queensland’s northern coast.

The research, funded by North Queensland Bulk Ports, sheds new light on the resilience of deep-water seagrasses in the port and adjacent areas, and how they recover from impacts.

Dr Michael Rasheed, Principal Research Scientist from JCU’s Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) leads the research team.

“Prior to these studies we had very little knowledge of how seagrasses in deeper water (below 10 metres) responded to disturbances and how they could recover,” Dr Rasheed said.

“What we’ve found is that these seagrasses have a much better capacity to recolonise and re-establish following major storm disturbances than do shallower, coastal seagrass meadows.

“Deep-water seagrasses are able to do this because they produce large numbers of long-lived seeds that lie dormant in the sediment, forming a seed bank from which recovery can occur. This is a great strategy if growing conditions deteriorate regularly.”

TropWATER scientists have been conducting seagrass research and monitoring in the area since 2005.

“It’s only because we have that long-term assessment in place, coupled with ongoing research on recovery and the requirements for seagrass growth, that we can provide advice on how to ensure their protection,” Dr Rasheed said.

The research includes determining the light requirements and thresholds for seagrasses. This data can be used to manage future dredging so that turbidity does not adversely impact the seagrasses.

“We have a major research program underway along the Great Barrier Reef coast to better understand what these deep-water seagrasses require,” Dr Rasheed said. “That work includes developing management thresholds and new tools to reactively monitor seagrass stress.”

Dr Rasheed said the research was funded by NQBP to ensure the best possible science was in place to protect seagrasses during dredging.

“Seagrasses play a critical role in the marine ecosystem, and our aim is to provide information that can be incorporated into management plans and help protect the marine environment of the port,” he said. “We are continuing to work with NQBP and Government to ensure that as new information comes to light from the research it is utilised to inform dredge management”