Data

Mollusc communities and epiphyte cover associated with seagrass habitats in Tayaritja Sea Country (Furneaux Group of Islands), Lutruwita (Tasmania) (NESP MaC 3.6)

University of Tasmania, Australia

Strain, Elisabeth ; Lucieer, Vanessa ; Fractal, Kelsie ; Carnell, Paul ; Wise, Alice ; Maher, Fiona ; Cozens, Zoe

Viewed: [[ro.stat.viewed]] Cited: [[ro.stat.cited]] Accessed: [[ro.stat.accessed]]

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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 collection and analysis of epiphyte and mollusc communities associated with seagrass beds.Quadrat-level sampling of seagrass, epiphyte and mollusc community data was undertaken across five subtidal sites in Tayaritja Sea Country in February 2024. At each site, seagrass species, morphology, biomass and cover; epiphyte cover; and mollusc taxon counts, richness, abundance, and diversity metrics were assessed. The dataset provides a baseline for understanding biodiversity values associated with different seagrass species and epiphyte loads in Tayaritja Sea Country.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: Field sampling was conducted between 6 and 15 February 2024 in subtidal seagrass habitats across five sites in Tayaritja Sea Country: Big Dog Island, Truwana/Cape Barren Island, Chalky Island, Killiecrankie and Petrification Bay. Sampling was undertaken by snorkelling at low tide, with patches of the dominant seagrass species selected at each site to capture variation in epiphyte cover. Within each patch, 0.5 × 0.5 m quadrats were placed over the seagrass canopy and divided into four 0.25 × 0.25 m subsections. One subsection from each quadrat was photographed for subsequent cover estimation, while seagrass leaves and associated epiphyte material were collected by hand for laboratory processing. Laboratory processing focused on separating and quantifying the biological material associated with each quadrat sample. Molluscs were removed from seagrass and epiphyte material by washing samples through a 1 mm mesh bag, preserved in formalin, and later identified to the lowest practical taxonomic level under a microscope. Seagrass cover and epiphyte cover on seagrass surfaces were estimated from the photoquadrats, while seagrass biomass was calculated from collected leaf material after oven drying. The resulting dataset combines the field observations, laboratory measurements and derived community metrics into a quadrat-level table. Mollusc abundance and richness were are derived from taxon counts, and mollusc biomass and secondary production per gram of seagrass are calculated following the methods of Edgar et al. (1990). These variables were used to analyse the relationships between seagrass species, epiphyte cover, seagrass biomass, and associated mollusc community attributes.&rft.creator=Strain, Elisabeth &rft.creator=Lucieer, Vanessa &rft.creator=Fractal, Kelsie &rft.creator=Carnell, Paul &rft.creator=Wise, Alice &rft.creator=Maher, Fiona &rft.creator=Cozens, Zoe &rft.date=2026&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 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http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/&rft_rights=Cite data as: Strain, E., Lucieer, V., Fractal, K., Wise, A., Maher, F., Cozens, Z., & Carnell, P. (2026). Mollusc communities and epiphyte cover associated with seagrass habitats in Tayaritja Sea Country (Furneaux Group of Islands), Lutruwita (Tasmania) [Dataset]. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. https://doi.org/10.25959/PYX3-SV35&rft_subject=biota&rft_subject=National Environmental Science Program (NESP) Marine and Coastal Hub&rft_subject=MARINE ECOSYSTEMS&rft_subject=SEAGRASS&rft_subject=MOLLUSKS&rft_subject=POPULATION DYNAMICS&rft_subject=Phycology (incl. Marine Grasses)&rft_subject=BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES&rft_subject=PLANT BIOLOGY&rft_subject=Community Ecology&rft_subject=ECOLOGY&rft_subject=Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl. Marine Ichthyology)&rft.type=dataset&rft.language=English Access the data

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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: Strain, E., Lucieer, V., Fractal, K., Wise, A., Maher, F., Cozens, Z., & Carnell, P. (2026). Mollusc communities and epiphyte cover associated with seagrass habitats in Tayaritja Sea Country (Furneaux Group of Islands), Lutruwita (Tasmania) [Dataset]. Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. https://doi.org/10.25959/PYX3-SV35

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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 collection and analysis of epiphyte and mollusc communities associated with seagrass beds.

Quadrat-level sampling of seagrass, epiphyte and mollusc community data was undertaken across five subtidal sites in Tayaritja Sea Country in February 2024. At each site, seagrass species, morphology, biomass and cover; epiphyte cover; and mollusc taxon counts, richness, abundance, and diversity metrics were assessed. The dataset provides a baseline for understanding biodiversity values associated with different seagrass species and epiphyte loads in Tayaritja Sea Country.

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: Field sampling was conducted between 6 and 15 February 2024 in subtidal seagrass habitats across five sites in Tayaritja Sea Country: Big Dog Island, Truwana/Cape Barren Island, Chalky Island, Killiecrankie and Petrification Bay. Sampling was undertaken by snorkelling at low tide, with patches of the dominant seagrass species selected at each site to capture variation in epiphyte cover. Within each patch, 0.5 × 0.5 m quadrats were placed over the seagrass canopy and divided into four 0.25 × 0.25 m subsections. One subsection from each quadrat was photographed for subsequent cover estimation, while seagrass leaves and associated epiphyte material were collected by hand for laboratory processing. Laboratory processing focused on separating and quantifying the biological material associated with each quadrat sample. Molluscs were removed from seagrass and epiphyte material by washing samples through a 1 mm mesh bag, preserved in formalin, and later identified to the lowest practical taxonomic level under a microscope. Seagrass cover and epiphyte cover on seagrass surfaces were estimated from the photoquadrats, while seagrass biomass was calculated from collected leaf material after oven drying. The resulting dataset combines the field observations, laboratory measurements and derived community metrics into a quadrat-level table. Mollusc abundance and richness were are derived from taxon counts, and mollusc biomass and secondary production per gram of seagrass are calculated following the methods of Edgar et al. (1990). These variables were used to analyse the relationships between seagrass species, epiphyte cover, seagrass biomass, and associated mollusc community attributes.

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: 2020-01-01 to 2023-12-31

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

local : 00arpt780

local : 0000-0003-2165-9544

local : 00arpt780

local : 0000-0001-7531-5750

local : 00arpt780

local : 0009-0006-3180-6084

local : 04ttjf776

local : 0000-0001-6747-1366

local : 00arpt780

local : 0000-0003-2165-9544

local : 00arpt780

local : 0000-0001-7531-5750

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 DOI Link

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DOI : 10.25959/PYX3-SV35
global : 4678d3d7-cb33-411f-8344-443445b298af

Mollusc communities and epiphyte cover associated with seagrass habitats in Tayaritja Sea Country (Furneaux Group of Islands), Lutruwita (Tasmania) (NESP MaC 3.6)

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This dataset is part of a larger collection

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MAP - Mollusc abundance (MaC_3-6_Furneaux_seagrass_mollusc_abundance)

MAP - Mollusc biomass (MaC_3-6_Furneaux_seagrass_mollusc_biomass)

MAP - Mollusc richness (MaC_3-6_Furneaux_seagrass_mollusc_richness)

(View & explore mapping products in Seamap Australia)

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