Data

Blue carbon stocks of temperate subtidal seagrass beds in Tayaritja Sea Country (Furneaux Group of Islands), Lutruwita (Tasmania) (NESP MaC 3.6)

University of Tasmania, Australia
Carnell, Paul ; Lucieer, Vanessa ; Fractal, Kelsie ; Yusuf, Anne
Viewed: [[ro.stat.viewed]] Cited: [[ro.stat.cited]] Accessed: [[ro.stat.accessed]]
ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2FANDS&rft_id=info:doi10.25959/W80S-JH16&rft.title=Blue carbon stocks of temperate subtidal seagrass beds in Tayaritja Sea Country (Furneaux Group of Islands), Lutruwita (Tasmania) (NESP MaC 3.6)&rft.identifier=10.25959/W80S-JH16&rft.description=Seagrass beds are a dominant marine ecosystem of Tayaritja (the Furneaux Group of Islands) in the north-eastern waters off Tasmania. Historical coarse mapping has indicated extensive beds of Posidonia, Amphibolis, Heterozostera, and Zostera species, potentially comprising some of the largest and deepest seagrass extents found in temperate Australian waters. However, limited data on the distribution and ecological value of these seagrass habitats represents a significant knowledge gap in understanding Australia's wetland natural assets.This project mapped the extent, ecological composition, population structure, and blue carbon value of seagrass beds around Tayaritja, in partnership with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre. This record specifically describes the seagrass-associated blue carbon component of the project, supporting improved understanding of sedimentary carbon storage in the region.Sediment cores were collected from ten seagrass habitat sites around Flinders Island to assess spatial variability in carbon stocks and differences among seagrass species. Cores were collected to a maximum depth of 50 cm, or to the boundary between sediment and underlying rock, and were processed to estimate organic carbon stocks in below-ground sediment and plant material. The dataset includes sampling site locations, carbon stock estimates for the upper 50 cm of sediment, and measurements reported by depth interval within the core. At selected sites, samples were sieved to separate roots/rhizomes from the soil fraction, allowing carbon components to be reported separately where available.See the Lineage section of this record for full methodology.***EMBARGO NOTE*** Data is currently embargoed until 31/12/2026. Please contact the NESP Data Wrangler (Southern node) to discuss access options: [email protected] and Update Frequency: notPlannedStatement: Seagrass below-ground carbon stock data were collected from ten field sampling sites around Flinders Island, Tasmania. Sampling was designed to assess spatial variability in carbon stocks within Posidonia australis beds and to compare below-ground carbon stocks among seagrass species present at selected locations, including Posidonia australis, Heterozostera nigricaulis and, where present, Zostera muelleri. At each species/site combination, four sediment cores were collected using a 5 cm diameter PVC pipe. Cores were collected to 50 cm depth, or to the boundary between sediment and underlying rock where this occurred shallower than 50 cm. Sample compaction during collection was measured and accounted for when calculating sample volumes. Cores were subsampled in the field to characterise down-core variation in below-ground carbon. Subsamples were taken from five depth intervals: 0–5 cm, 5–10 cm, 10–20 cm, 24–26 cm (representative sample for 20–30 cm), and 39–41 cm (representative sample for 30–50 cm). Samples were then dried at 60°C until a consistent weight was achieved. Dry bulk density was calculated as dry weight divided by the original compaction-corrected sample volume. At sites sampled for comparison of carbon stocks among seagrass species, samples were sieved using a 500 µm sieve to separate roots/rhizomes from the soil fraction. Material retained above 500 µm was treated as root/rhizome material, while material passing through the sieve was treated as soil. Each dried sample was homogenised using an agate mortar and pestle. Total carbon content was determined from a 0.5–1 g subsample using a LECO TruMac CN analyser. For non-calcareous soils, organic carbon content was equated to total carbon content. For samples containing inorganic carbon, 4% hydrochloric acid was applied to remove inorganic carbon prior to analysis of organic carbon. Organic carbon stock values were derived from the processed sample data and associated with sampling site, seagrass species, depth interval and, where applicable, soil/rhizome sample fraction. Further methodological detail is provided in the associated project report.&rft.creator=Carnell, Paul &rft.creator=Lucieer, Vanessa &rft.creator=Fractal, Kelsie &rft.creator=Yusuf, Anne &rft.date=2015&rft.coverage=-40.25794110040136,148.29478258814595 -40.2683812266123,148.28926288217633 -40.27552126989059,148.2892330201879 -40.28204135292593,148.28536321134334 -40.28088140555241,148.28011327590707 -40.28730145160069,148.2794634114074 -40.29294117119798,148.30720305747525 -40.31179127424777,148.3081034074463 -40.32131140659607,148.3015137024954 -40.31819151452674,148.29033382814373 -40.31977161256981,148.2825839878608 -40.33832191672303,148.2656646303185 -40.33600189607063,148.26629457483477 -40.33697199925831,148.25768473716096 -40.332632099491775,148.24657483815827 -40.32595210800333,148.24224478057238 -40.33100219969168,148.23690496779022 -40.33050229174734,148.22852509755535 -40.32109228677956,148.22397499025374 -40.32195236510944,148.21755511417723 -40.31922236242207,148.2162650825676 -40.31801242443379,148.21017516055542 -40.32956248582002,148.21093537186994 -40.342852615755596,148.20663570147667 -40.356122864378506,148.1918862056841 -40.34475288773546,148.1837461198876 -40.3480930048882,148.17522632683358 -40.34714316612417,148.1605965514899 -40.34213315901803,148.15853648796872 -40.34365329656231,148.14726670569405 -40.34071333545205,148.1422867314476 -40.337053309662394,148.1425366557421 -40.33971344402016,148.13217687945962 -40.33816352003038,148.12467697426302 -40.343493711865214,148.1106973098332 -40.341593791520154,148.10265740671412 -40.34550393226062,148.09239765302948 -40.34323402632913,148.082937766265 -40.339524018018956,148.08169771447808 -40.34158407434546,148.07782781929848 -40.34676411087497,148.0774479258812 -40.31935167842307,148.04029306834707 -40.26881503791793,147.99870614242298 -40.194484335183844,147.97624664766477 -40.140691627464555,147.95782407965032 -40.10350133465891,147.9218760589364 -40.065211828070126,147.9028447538526 -40.03931376471849,147.85068488065986 -40.01881388031313,147.83494550545674 -39.98478778903968,147.85491405956725 -39.94643157784952,147.84716056490345 -39.937244503345546,147.82037576515586 -39.91927492859503,147.7780446158664 -39.91071004696846,147.75202376907714 -39.87900574630486,147.72431041706295 -39.86742759751769,147.72615315223652 -39.85143030979776,147.73703629056638 -39.842503228228,147.75375327954225 -39.81975860818677,147.76655445807012 -39.79363227294749,147.7891968008703 -39.77781906115274,147.79221510908917 -39.756705272017825,147.81087122745407 -39.7277699361988,147.8379973439371 -39.71692702155684,147.87605995410502 -39.708793716751636,147.89650098549146 -39.69479081236681,147.93002020731774 -39.69794781867597,147.95993866910408 -39.71746920486822,147.99941100627075 -39.74309172690164,147.9690281340413 -39.727501710335616,147.96240794746882 -39.72789178317913,147.95611805850183 -39.71990189225846,147.94228813389032 -39.723401969125526,147.9372882819289 -39.72421194982156,147.93939826321935 -39.73312206213342,147.93407851880863 -39.74091223521134,147.92280885074808 -39.73958225121988,147.92064886085655 -39.74440229812751,147.91905897818947 -39.75019258132255,147.89694945055692 -39.75804269691287,147.89078969978505 -39.7614027907062,147.88419987162683 -39.758582914269994,147.87182002107716 -39.74755294970885,147.86288995820507 -39.751123020810674,147.8584800974786 -39.75098314025962,147.84779027000502 -39.755543176076685,147.8470203693946 -39.762643160853145,147.85205042148982 -39.764353109308495,147.85755036395835 -39.774323053765904,147.8676603877168 -39.77954312991136,147.86362055214693 -39.78192308857962,147.8685405173311 -39.78679311710863,147.868580609108 -39.79365321042717,147.86390081597006 -39.79438325758123,147.86012089166604 -39.79801325230971,147.86245092177285 -39.80050338961968,147.85157114759045 -39.8086835617969,147.8406514821802 -39.8133835851843,147.84106156493942 -39.817573525697576,147.8484515235192 -39.823803547695434,147.84984161909563 -39.83150364467742,147.84523184087698 -39.83617372873448,147.8403020101298 -39.83331387383618,147.82594219147916 -39.8381439275002,147.82375231891444 -39.83519398121722,147.8174223669488 -39.83595415476036,147.80250262499635 -39.84282419727879,147.80233275924945 -39.85157440563427,147.78849315163768 -39.84899447191731,147.78130322026743 -39.85054453620137,147.77643332933485 -39.85551462150256,147.771543504929 -39.85853460968445,147.77417351919257 -39.86645471681169,147.76888375638032 -39.873645000716124,147.74761424140434 -39.88630495950622,147.7578843157088 -39.88940499724276,147.75620440191165 -39.89141487319779,147.76817424434591 -39.90093471956163,147.7867541227048 -39.899834677828096,147.7898640502857 -39.907624608089115,147.8001840297693 -39.91562463167139,147.80225414950962 -39.91656455810777,147.80924405277096 -39.90920443273836,147.81646379306972 -39.901334173233465,147.83521333572696 -39.89760392388188,147.85524293651247 -39.897923863095684,147.86082285029465 -39.907003827664425,147.86870289442334 -39.91344374333397,147.87953283986872 -39.92404370425339,147.88862289303222 -39.949383714486714,147.90105317306552 -39.97481380891002,147.90606357767217 -39.979533889877075,147.9014137445488 -39.991203943307255,147.90287394407756 -39.99381401420527,147.89798407380601 -39.99919406445441,147.89639420372953 -39.99963413061063,147.89082430299925 -40.00238415670346,147.8899543707979 -40.00112419572502,147.88585441375028 -40.00699423709426,147.8853145354376 -40.01181431188088,147.8812646940105 -40.009794436364075,147.86925485332893 -40.016264523388884,147.8649950471838 -40.021064644917324,147.8567952742826 -40.02358463252472,147.8592652820672 -40.02130445723486,147.8735350030381 -40.02339440342894,147.87936494813403 -40.0367443077036,147.89488494888133 -40.037684235938684,147.90167485551024 -40.03302417572496,147.90453471850253 -40.030094026218194,147.91613447102907 -40.03445385136399,147.93389426300996 -40.03820381745214,147.93884425295994 -40.06108381496598,147.95113448966515 -40.098664015531824,147.95342517533186 -40.089093833213724,147.96439480977267 -40.084813822000164,147.9631047493849 -40.085143903768085,147.9560848708203 -40.08042388035773,147.95565478713888 -40.075213787586115,147.96104459862954 -40.07945372500939,147.9688445509354 -40.08645375463698,147.96988466904247 -40.08628370812658,147.97390459901817 -40.092353647203026,147.98253457341195 -40.09164356679702,147.98920445022532 -40.10479356167349,147.99667457976818 -40.1022834675079,148.00358441728724 -40.105767447409725,148.00722342412178 -40.127266482861785,148.01550770091978 -40.16723371076705,148.01665545348658 -40.195263619320485,148.03961561476888 -40.20234363285226,148.0422457081729 -40.20846367226062,148.04201383057398 -40.2150937765565,148.0363460521287 -40.21689383528224,148.0321861561664 -40.21231389207236,148.02473619032298 -40.22675396622246,148.02594645026863 -40.23039395871417,148.02852647751502 -40.230393913748,148.0324864119184 -40.2271538776493,148.03394632546258 -40.23073381701192,148.04115627484225 -40.244863886758935,148.04258652514807 -40.24958387059911,148.0465265512595 -40.24823370582084,148.0602562976901 -40.25848370006264,148.06620639760717 -40.257763638081315,148.07134629829307 -40.26189358302231,148.07835626273152 -40.260423518830294,148.08318615361816 -40.26901348868147,148.09046619975538 -40.2666634288741,148.09446608744008 -40.262483401587644,148.0946460040101 -40.26261336441519,148.09792595202123 -40.2632933939749,148.09569600206908 -40.26587327643052,148.10745585730206 -40.272733242045376,148.11414587892932 -40.27402316123994,148.12187577584666 -40.26710302558405,148.13011550472686 -40.268712969427895,148.13596543905385 -40.262332752554414,148.15161505549054 -40.26409271500671,148.155845018533 -40.25322252310092,148.16697462348031 -40.249582294087475,148.18522425009928 -40.24592223322442,148.18862412270528 -40.24458227844935,148.183894175276 -40.24082224984692,148.184454093182 -40.233292109443255,148.19277380956373 -40.2273721188281,148.18880376138452 -40.220041993043424,148.19602349988486 -40.21900202062665,148.19307352842065 -40.21911197263938,148.19735345959452 -40.210821779201694,148.2100030887717 -40.20935149287691,148.23446265372866 -40.21398149235194,148.23691270285917 -40.2149914498955,148.24118265155846 -40.21083133180048,148.24941243393675 -40.21270128853359,148.25422238955184 -40.20972123474712,148.2573922794303 -40.21244116862487,148.26466221089242 -40.21730116611587,148.26743225859195 -40.21691112115121,148.2712321883149 -40.2303212008627,148.27128244602818 -40.23134105454596,148.28474224116155 -40.25794110040136,148.29478258814595&rft.coverage=-40.28986289975296,148.15334555974994 -40.29338296405246,148.1495856903275 -40.290943055677296,148.14020579915848 -40.297873190894904,148.13207606905553 -40.301143144740315,148.13787603615037 -40.295982932866025,148.1537256726018 -40.29732284717159,148.1619755611233 -40.29262277522065,148.16579540633302 -40.28986289975296,148.15334555974994&rft.coverage=-40.29828337257953,148.1163163387282 -40.295513414812206,148.1111163705242 -40.30677362830028,148.09833680190206 -40.30975364881181,148.0981468623878 -40.30972356019407,148.10591673327065 -40.31254356343459,148.10714676750945 -40.310563504502056,148.11125666116607 -40.29828337257953,148.1163163387282&rft.coverage=-40.255351993599504,148.21473387077162 -40.248352004441415,148.210053813233 -40.249512100203106,148.20225396524836 -40.25254212931577,148.20130404014947 -40.25856211824715,148.20548408722095 -40.255351993599504,148.21473387077162&rft.coverage=-40.2479317350614,148.2336034135668 -40.25528177273554,148.23412354726395 -40.24909168693172,148.23840335613 -40.25080161650129,148.24552327078254 -40.25621161147666,148.24889331917154 -40.25771152416735,148.25735320748458 -40.25518145785793,148.26187308317628 -40.25724143144687,148.2652630659378 -40.249851385632894,148.2653429221382 -40.24296141773516,148.258922895875 -40.24240156727842,148.24539311010403 -40.23992167774321,148.23438324539063 -40.24135176437239,148.2274633885246 -40.2479317350614,148.2336034135668&rft.coverage=-40.22903130235255,148.26166258156297 -40.2226412972579,148.25871250667694 -40.22304141193153,148.2488226792234 -40.225271478795605,148.24412280062688 -40.2285014865543,148.24514284586576 -40.23087136202366,148.25737268859893 -40.22903130235255,148.26166258156297&rft_rights=This dataset is hosted by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania, on behalf of NESP Marine and Coastal Hub Project 3.6.&rft_rights=Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/&rft_rights=Cite data as: Carnell, P., Lucieer, V., Fractal, K. & Yusuf, A. (2026). Blue carbon stocks of temperate subtidal seagrass beds in Tayaritja Sea Country (Furneaux Group of Islands), Lutruwita (Tasmania) [Dataset]. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. https://doi.org/10.25959/W80S-JH16&rft_subject=biota&rft_subject=National Environmental Science Program (NESP) Marine and Coastal Hub&rft_subject=CARBON&rft_subject=BENTHIC&rft_subject=MARINE ECOSYSTEMS&rft_subject=SEAGRASS&rft_subject=Posidonia australis&rft_subject=Heterozostera nigricaulis&rft_subject=Zostera muelleri&rft.type=dataset&rft.language=English Access the data
Cite Saved to MyRDA Save to MyRDA

Licence & Rights:

Open Licence view details
CC-BY

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This dataset is hosted by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania, on behalf of NESP Marine and Coastal Hub Project 3.6.

Cite data as: Carnell, P., Lucieer, V., Fractal, K. & Yusuf, A. (2026). Blue carbon stocks of temperate subtidal seagrass beds in Tayaritja Sea Country (Furneaux Group of Islands), Lutruwita (Tasmania) [Dataset]. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. https://doi.org/10.25959/W80S-JH16

Access:

Open

Full description

Seagrass beds are a dominant marine ecosystem of Tayaritja (the Furneaux Group of Islands) in the north-eastern waters off Tasmania. Historical coarse mapping has indicated extensive beds of Posidonia, Amphibolis, Heterozostera, and Zostera species, potentially comprising some of the largest and deepest seagrass extents found in temperate Australian waters. However, limited data on the distribution and ecological value of these seagrass habitats represents a significant knowledge gap in understanding Australia's wetland natural assets.

This project mapped the extent, ecological composition, population structure, and blue carbon value of seagrass beds around Tayaritja, in partnership with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre. This record specifically describes the seagrass-associated blue carbon component of the project, supporting improved understanding of sedimentary carbon storage in the region.

Sediment cores were collected from ten seagrass habitat sites around Flinders Island to assess spatial variability in carbon stocks and differences among seagrass species. Cores were collected to a maximum depth of 50 cm, or to the boundary between sediment and underlying rock, and were processed to estimate organic carbon stocks in below-ground sediment and plant material. The dataset includes sampling site locations, carbon stock estimates for the upper 50 cm of sediment, and measurements reported by depth interval within the core. At selected sites, samples were sieved to separate roots/rhizomes from the soil fraction, allowing carbon components to be reported separately where available.

See the "Lineage" section of this record for full methodology.

***EMBARGO NOTE*** Data is currently embargoed until 31/12/2026. Please contact the NESP Data Wrangler (Southern node) to discuss access options: [email protected]

Lineage

Maintenance and Update Frequency: notPlanned
Statement: Seagrass below-ground carbon stock data were collected from ten field sampling sites around Flinders Island, Tasmania. Sampling was designed to assess spatial variability in carbon stocks within Posidonia australis beds and to compare below-ground carbon stocks among seagrass species present at selected locations, including Posidonia australis, Heterozostera nigricaulis and, where present, Zostera muelleri. At each species/site combination, four sediment cores were collected using a 5 cm diameter PVC pipe. Cores were collected to 50 cm depth, or to the boundary between sediment and underlying rock where this occurred shallower than 50 cm. Sample compaction during collection was measured and accounted for when calculating sample volumes. Cores were subsampled in the field to characterise down-core variation in below-ground carbon. Subsamples were taken from five depth intervals: 0–5 cm, 5–10 cm, 10–20 cm, 24–26 cm (representative sample for 20–30 cm), and 39–41 cm (representative sample for 30–50 cm). Samples were then dried at 60°C until a consistent weight was achieved. Dry bulk density was calculated as dry weight divided by the original compaction-corrected sample volume. At sites sampled for comparison of carbon stocks among seagrass species, samples were sieved using a 500 µm sieve to separate roots/rhizomes from the soil fraction. Material retained above 500 µm was treated as root/rhizome material, while material passing through the sieve was treated as soil. Each dried sample was homogenised using an agate mortar and pestle. Total carbon content was determined from a 0.5–1 g subsample using a LECO TruMac CN analyser. For non-calcareous soils, organic carbon content was equated to total carbon content. For samples containing inorganic carbon, 4% hydrochloric acid was applied to remove inorganic carbon prior to analysis of organic carbon. Organic carbon stock values were derived from the processed sample data and associated with sampling site, seagrass species, depth interval and, where applicable, soil/rhizome sample fraction. Further methodological detail is provided in the associated project report.

Notes

Credit
The data collections described in this record are funded by the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) through the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub. In addition to NESP (DCCEEW) funding, this project is matched by an equivalent amount of in-kind support and co-investment from project partners and collaborators.

Data time period: 2024-02-05 to 2024-02-19

This dataset is part of a larger collection

Click to explore relationships graph
Help

Related Data

Related People

Related Program

Related Grants and Projects

-40.35612,86 -39.69479,86

-40.025456838373,90

-40.30114,86 -40.28986,86

-40.295503022247,90

-40.31254,86 -40.29551,86

-40.304028489123,90

-40.25856,86 -40.24835,86

-40.253457061344,90

-40.25771,86 -40.23992,86

-40.248816600955,90

-40.23087,86 -40.22264,86

-40.226756329641,90

Subjects
BENTHIC | CARBON | Heterozostera nigricaulis | MARINE ECOSYSTEMS | National Environmental Science Program (NESP) Marine and Coastal Hub | Posidonia australis | SEAGRASS | Zostera muelleri | biota |

User Contributed Tags    

Login to tag this record with meaningful keywords to make it easier to discover

Other Information
MAP - Seagrass sediment carbon stock (MaC_3-6_Furneaux_seagrass_C_stocks)

url : https://geoserver.imas.utas.edu.au/geoserver/NESP/wms

(View & explore data in Seamap Australia)

url : https://seamapaustralia.org/map/#8ab34dc5-a339-44b0-a663-9e999903f566

global : 436e10ed-3322-494c-93a3-3bdf3405c045

local : 04ttjf776

local : 0000-0001-6747-1366

local : 00arpt780

local : 0000-0001-7531-5750

local : 00arpt780

local : 0009-0006-3180-6084

local : 04ttjf776

local : 0000-0002-4104-8487

local : 04ttjf776

local : 0000-0001-6747-1366

local : 00arpt780

local : 0000-0001-7531-5750

Related dataset: Imagery from BOSS and uBRUVs deployed for mapping temperate subtidal seagrass of Tayaritja Sea Country (Furneaux Group of Islands), Lutruwita (Tasmania)

doi : 10.25959/wrxk-kv06

NESP MaC Project 3.6 - Exploring the distribution and ecological value of seagrass at the Furneaux Islands, Tasmania, 2023-2025 (IMAS, Deakin Uni)

doi : 10.71676/d88f285e

Identifiers
ACN 633 798 857