Multiple climate impacts on seagrass dynamics: Amphibolis antarctica patches at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
Mike van Keulen
Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150 and Coral Bay Research Station, Murdoch University, Coral Bay, WA 6701, Australia. Email: M.Keulen@murdoch.edu.au
Pacific Conservation Biology 25(2) 211-212 https://doi.org/10.1071/PC18050
Submitted: 9 June 2018 Accepted: 2 September 2018 Published: 13 September 2018
Abstract
The impacts of tropical cyclones combined with a marine heatwave are reported for a seagrass community at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. A community of 9.5 ha of Amphibolis antarctica was lost following a combination of cyclone-induced burial and a marine heatwave. No new seedlings have been observed since the loss; recruitment of seedlings may be impeded by local ocean circulation.
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