Seagrass represents one of the most productive ecosystems on Earth, providing important refuges, breeding habitats, and feeding grounds for fish and invertebrates.

Seagrass provides habitat to a myriad of species. Photo credit: David Maynard.

Five out of the seven seagrass species found in Tasmania occur in the kanamaluka / Tamar estuary, supporting fish species including pipefish and seahorses.

Seagrass meadows also play an important role as a nursery habitat for fish, as well as sharks. The entire kanamaluka / Tamar estuary is a Protected Shark Refuge, hosting numerous seagrass meadows that provide shelter for shark eggs and pups.

Seagrass plays an important role in the ecology and health of estuarine systems and is known to provide important ecological services, including nutrient cycling, sediment stabilisation, and enhanced biodiversity.

Seagrasses are known to serve as “coastal canaries”, as declining health and extent have been linked to multiple environmental stressors including increased sediment and nutrient runoff, physical disturbance, and invasive species among others. Within Australia, two main causes of seagrass decline have been identified as:

• nutrient enrichment, causing increased algal growth; and

• suspended or settled sediment, causing shading and reduces light penetration.

Both of these pressures are known to exist in the kanamaluka / Tamar estuary.

Biological Monitoring Program

Given the importance of seagrass and its extensive historical distribution in the kanamaluka / Tamar estuary, it is important to understand its current condition. Initiating regular seagrass condition monitoring as part of the pilot Biological Monitoring Program will allow the TEER Program to record changes over time and gain a better understanding of overall ecosystem health in the lower kanamaluka / Tamar estuary.