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  • Seagrass macroalgae and wrack

    Preparing samples for Stable Isotope Analysis

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Investigating habit values of seagrass, macroalgae and wrack in the Swan Canning Riverpark

Seagrass is recognized as a valued asset in the Swan Canning Riverpark. It plays an important role in maintaining oxygen levels at the sediment/water interface and is an important food source for the iconic black swan. In the Swan Canning Riverpark there are three main species of seagrass, with paddleweed (Halophila ovalis) the dominant species. The seagrass in the Riverpark is often declared as supporting diverse and productive faunal assemblages. However, much of the information about the value of this habitat is collected from Zostera species in estuaries elsewhere. Very little is known of the biodiversity and ecological value of Halophila, which is vastly different in shape and form to Zostera.

Macroalgae is commonly found the Swan Canning Riverpark in particular the macroalga Chaetomorpha linum.  This free-floating macroalga, which is moved by winds and currents, is fast-growing and can respond rapidly to favourable growth conditions. Considered a nuisance because it reduces light conditions to seagrass beds and reproduction, the boom bust nature of macroalga means that large accumulations of dead algae can build up rapidly on beaches a form wracks. Little is known of the value of the macroalga to the foodweb or its habitat value for biodiversity, either as living algae in the water or as wrack cast on the shoreline.

This project will investigate the biodiversity and ecological values of Halophila meadows and Chaetomorpha accumulations. These two submerged habitats will be compared with each other in vegetated and non-vegetated sites. In addition, the ecological value of accumulated wrack will also be investigated.

The aim of this project is to investigate the importance of seagrass and macroalgae to fish and invertebrate communities and establish the significance of accumulated wrack on the shoreline to the ecology of the Riverpark. Stable isotopes analysis in conjunction other aspects of faunal assemblages will be used to consider the importance of wrack, Halophila ovalis and Chaetomorpha linum to the foodweb.

Funding agency

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions

Project duration

2 year project, 2016-2018

Researchers

Miss Shanna Fulwood (Masters student)
Professor Glenn Hyndes

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