Infaunal biodiversity patterns from Carnarvon Shelf (Ningaloo Reef), Western Australia

2013 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Przeslawski ◽  
Matthew A. McArthur ◽  
Tara J. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Marine Reserve ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Marine Management ◽  
Ningaloo Reef ◽  
Marine Park ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Baseline Information ◽  
Surrounding Areas

Infauna are important in many ecological processes but have been rarely considered in biodiversity assessments of coral reefs and surrounding areas. We surveyed infaunal assemblages and associated environmental factors (depth, seabed reflectance, sediment characteristics) in three areas (Mandu, Point Cloates, Gnaraloo) along the Carnarvon Shelf, Western Australia. This region supports Ningaloo Reef, a relatively pristine coral reef protected by the Ningaloo Marine Park and a Commonwealth marine reserve. Macrofauna were sampled with a Smith-McIntyre grab and sieved through 500 µm. A total of 423 species and 4036 individuals was recorded from 145 grabs, with infauna accounting for 67% of species and 78% of individuals. Rare species (≤2 individuals per species) represented 42% of the total assemblage. Assemblages were significantly different among all three areas, with the most distinct recorded from the southern-most area (Gnaraloo). Although assemblages varied significantly with depth and sediment composition (mud and gravel), these relationships were weak. Results from the current study broadly quantify macrofaunal diversity in the region and identify potential spatial and environmental patterns which will help inform future marine management plans, including the provision of baseline information to assess the efficacy of protected areas in soft-sediment habitats adjacent to coral reefs.

Distribution and Abundance of Dugongs, Turtles, Dolphins and other Megafauna in Shark Bay, Ningaloo Reef and Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia

1997 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Preen ◽  
H. Marsh ◽  
I. R. Lawler ◽  
R. I. T. Prince ◽  
R. Shepherd
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Bottlenose Dolphins ◽  
Large Population ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Shark Bay ◽  
Ningaloo Reef ◽  
Marine Park ◽  
Whale Sharks ◽  
Exmouth Gulf ◽  
Marine Megafauna

Strip-transect aerial surveys of Shark Bay, Ningaloo Reef and Exmouth Gulf were conducted during the winters of 1989 and 1994. These surveys were designed primarily to estimate the abundance and distribution of dugongs, although they also allowed sea turtles and dolphins, and, to a lesser extent, whales, manta rays and whale sharks to be surveyed. Shark Bay contains a large population of dugongs that is of international significance. Estimates of approximately 10000 dugongs resulted from both surveys. The density of dugongs is the highest recorded in Australia and the Middle East, where these surveys have been conducted. Exmouth Gulf and Ningaloo Reef are also important dugong habitats, each supporting in the order of 1000 dugongs. The estimated number of turtles in Shark Bay is comparable to the number in Exmouth Gulf plus Ningaloo Reef (7000–9000). The density of turtles in Ningaloo Reef and, to a lesser extent, Exmouth Gulf is exceptionally high compared with most other areas that have been surveyed by the same technique. Shark Bay supports a substantial population of bottlenose dolphins (2000–3000 minimum estimate). Exmouth Gulf and Ningaloo Reef were not significant habitats for dolphins during the winter surveys. Substantial numbers of whales (primarily humpbacks) and manta rays occur in northern and western Shark Bay in winter. Ningaloo Reef is an important area for whale sharks and manta rays in autumn and winter. The Shark Bay Marine Park excludes much of the winter habitats of the large vertebrate fauna of Shark Bay. In 1989 and 1994, more than half of all the dugongs were seen outside the Marine Park (57·4 and 50·7%, respectively). Approximately one-third to one-half of turtles and dolphins were seen outside the Marine Park (in 1989 and 1994 respectively: turtles, 43 and 27%; dolphins, 47 and 32%). Almost all the whales and most of the manta rays were seen outside the Marine Park. Expansion of the Shark Bay Marine Park, to bring it into alignment with the marine section of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, would facilitate the appropriate management of these populations. This would also simplify the State– Commonwealth collaboration necessary to meet the obligations of World Heritage listing. The coastal waters of Western Australia north of the surveyed area (over 6000 km of coastline) are relatively poorly known and surveys of their marine megafauna are required for wise planning and management.

scholarly journals A systematic evaluation of the incremental protection of broad-scale habitats at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

2012 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynnath E. Beckley ◽  
Amanda T. Lombard
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Conservation Planning ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Marine Conservation ◽  
Systematic Evaluation ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Systematic Conservation Planning ◽  
Ningaloo Reef ◽  
Marine Park ◽  
Broad Scale

Incremental increases to marine conservation areas in response to changing goals, policy, threats or new information are common practice worldwide. Ningaloo Reef, in north-western Australia, is protected by the Ningaloo Marine Park (state waters), which was expanded incrementally in 2004 so that 34% of the park now comprises ‘no-take’ sanctuary zones. To test the hypothesis that all habitats (benthic cover types) at Ningaloo are actually protected at this 34% level, a systematic conservation planning exercise was conducted using existing broad-scale habitat data (as a surrogate for marine biodiversity) and C-Plan decision-support software. Although subtidal and intertidal coral communities were found to be adequately protected, other habitats, particularly those in deeper waters seaward of the reef, did not attain the 34% target. Efficient incremental additions to the sanctuary zones to allow increased representation of these under-represented habitats were explored with C-Plan. It is recommended that systematic conservation planning incorporating new biodiversity and social information (now becoming available) be undertaken for the next iteration of the Ningaloo Marine Park management plan. This analysis at Ningaloo Reef serves as a useful example of a post hoc systematic approach to guide incremental expansion of existing marine protected areas in other parts of the world.

Prominence of environmental and anthropogenic agents on the occurrence of coral reef bleaching syndrome and coral diseases

2024 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 6139-2024
Author(s):  
MICHAŁ SCHULZ ◽  
ALEKSANDRA ŁOŚ ◽  
PATRYCJA SKOWRONEK ◽  
ANETA STRACHECKA
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Coral Diseases ◽  
Rapid Changes ◽  
Anthropogenic Threats ◽  
Negative Factors ◽  
Main Relationship

Coral reefs are the most productive ecosystems on Earth. They ensure the conservation of biodiversity and are a live habitat for 25% of all marine organisms. The main relationship on the coral reef is the symbiosis between corals and algae from the genus Symbiodinium (commonly called zooxanthellae). The authors of this publication have characterized and described the factors limiting the occurrence of coral reefs, including: water temperature, salinity, access to sunlight, contamination, physicochemical and hydromechanical parameters of water. Moreover anthropogenic threats to coral reefs have been specified, including diving tourism, ecological disasters (e.g. oil spills) and the development of marine aquaristics. Rapid changes in the basic living conditions are dangerous for corals and their symbionts and may cause the unsuitability of the new environment resulting in diseases such as coral bleaching. Corals bleaching is a disease associated with the break of the coral and algae relationship which results in a coral reef death on a global scale. Awareness of these negative factors, often related to human activity, may allow us to better understand the ecological processes that are the basis of reef functioning and might enable us to prevent and oppose to the changes and ecological recessions of coral reefs.

scholarly journals Land-Use Impact on Stand Structure and Fruit Yield of Tamarindus indica L. in the Drylands of Southeastern Ethiopia

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 408
Author(s):  
Gizachew Zeleke ◽  
Tatek Dejene ◽  
Wubalem Tadesse ◽  
Pablo Martín-Pinto
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Fruit Production ◽  
Tree Density ◽  
Fruit Yield ◽  
Tamarindus Indica ◽  
Land Use Types ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Baseline Information

In this study, we evaluated stand status, dendrometric variables, and fruit production of Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) trees growing in bushland and farmland-use types in dryland areas of Ethiopia. The vegetation survey was conducted using the point-centered quarter method. The fruit yield of 54 trees was also evaluated. Tree density and fruit production in ha were estimated. There was a significant difference in Tamarind tree density between the two land-use types (p = 0.01). The mean fruit yield of farmland trees was significantly higher than that of bushland trees. However, Tamarind has unsustainable structure on farmlands. Differences in the dendrometric characteristics of trees were also observed between the two land-use types. Predictive models were selected for Tamarind fruit yield estimations in both land-use types. Although the majority of farmland trees produced <5000 fruit year−1, the selection of Tamarind germplasm in its natural ranges could improve production. Thus, the development of management plans to establish stands that have a more balanced diameter structure and thereby ensure continuity of the population and fruit yields is required in this area, particularly in the farmlands. This baseline information could assist elsewhere in areas that are facing similar challenges for the species due to land-use change.

Origin of Blue Hole Structures in Coral Reefs: Houtman Abrolhos, Western Australia

2006 ◽  
Vol 221 ◽  
pp. 202-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl-Heinz Wyrwoll ◽  
Zhong Rong Zhu ◽  
Lindsay B. Collins ◽  
Bruce G. Hatcher
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Blue Hole

scholarly journals A floristic description of the Afromontane fynbos communities on Platberg, Eastern Free State, South Africa

Koedoe ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert F. Brand ◽  
Pieter J. Du Preez ◽  
Leslie R. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resources ◽  
Plant Communities ◽  
Conservation Management ◽  
Alien Invasive Species ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
The North ◽  
Shrub Community ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Twinspan Classification

Within the Platberg area and the wider Drakensberg region, the shrinking natural resources and the threat posed to biodiversity are of concern to conservation management and require an understanding of long-term ecological processes. The vegetation of Platberg was investigated as part of an ecological survey to establish Afromontane floristic links to the Drakensberg as well as for the management of natural resources. From a TWINSPAN classification, refined by the Braun-Blanquet method, four main plant communities were identified, which were subdivided into fynbos, wetland, a woody/shrub community and grassland. A classification and description of the fynbos are presented in this article.The analysis showed the fynbos divided into two communities comprising four sub-communities and seven variants. The fynbos community had an average of 28.34 species per relevé, ranging from 14 to 54 species per sample plot. Twenty-four endemic or near-endemic Drakensberg Alpine Centre (DAC) species and 22 exotic (alien-invasive) species were recorded. Numerous floristic links with the DAC, Cape flora fynbos and grassland bioregions to the north and west were also found. The description of the fynbos plant communities can serve as a basis for the formulation of management plans for the area.

Outbreak densities of the coral predator Drupella in relation to in situ Acropora growth rates on Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

Coral Reefs ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 985-993 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Bessey ◽  
R. C. Babcock ◽  
D. P. Thomson ◽  
M. D. E. Haywood
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Ningaloo Reef

scholarly journals Spatial and temporal patterns of nature-based tourism interactions with whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia

2014 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
pp. 109-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas J. Anderson ◽  
Halina T. Kobryn ◽  
Brad M. Norman ◽  
Lars Bejder ◽  
Julian A. Tyne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Temporal Patterns ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽  
Rhincodon Typus ◽  
Ningaloo Reef ◽  
Whale Sharks
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