Seagrass communities of Vanuatu

Full description

Seagrass surveys were undertaken at 60 localities in Vanuatu during March/April 1988. Generally, surveys were carried out in the same localities chosen for coral and fish surveys, for the same project. Localities contained all the major habitats found along the coastal and shallow water areas of Vanuatu and focused on areas that could be seen to have seagrass or looked suitable for seagrass.Each survey lasted between 30 and 120 minutes and the following information was recorded:1. species of seagrass present2. total abundance of seagrass3. habitat type4. maximum depth of seagrass occurrence at sublittoral sites5. position on shore if intertidal6. substrate type7. exposure to prevailing east and southeast winds8. water clarity
The objectives of the seagrass survey were:1. to record the species of seagrass occurring at a wide variety of coastal locations throughout Vanuatu, covering the range of habitats in the country2. to record the abundance of seagrass in these localities3. to record selected ecological conditions in the study areas (depth, substrate type, exposure, turbidity)4. to determine from the above data information about factors controlling the distribution and abundance of seagrasses in Vanuatu5. to identify areas of major seagrass importance6. to derive recommendations for the management of seagrass areas
This research was a component of a survey of Vanuatu marine resources conducted in March/April 1988 and was funded by the Australian International Development Assistance Bureau.The objectives of the survey were:1. to survey and describe the shallow water reef habitats from selected islands of Vanuatu, adequately covering geographical and environmental variation2. to survey and describe the marine habitats around the shores of Malakula, including offshore islands3. to derive a coastal management plan for Malakula and offshore islands which can serve as a basis for Coastal Zone Management plans for the rest of the country4. to train Ni-Vanuatu personnel in marine survey and marine conservation methods

Lineage

Maintenance and Update Frequency: notPlanned

Statement: Statement: Seagrass identifications were made using the vegetative characteristics described by Lanyon (1986).Lanyon, J (1986) Seagrasses of the Great Barrier Reef. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Special Publications Series (3). Townsville, Australia, 54pp.Total abundance of seagrass was obtained by estimating leaf cover and was recorded as an average for the site. The categories used were:1 - (5% cover or less)2 - (6-25% cover)3 - (26-50% cover)4 - (51-75% cover)5 - (more than 75% cover)At some sites the abundance of individual species was also recordedHabitat type categories used were:reef crestreefreef passagelagoon behind reef crestbayintertidalSubstrate type denoted the dominant substrate at each site. The categories used were:mudfine sandmedium sandcoarse sandshelly sandgravelstonescoral rubblemixtures of the above categoriesExposure categories used were:exposedsheltered

Notes

Credit
Navin, Kim F, Mr (Principal Investigator)