IMAS Metadata Catalogue
NESP MaC Project 3.6 - Exploring the distribution and ecological value of seagrass at the Furneaux Islands, Tasmania, 2023-2025 (IMAS, Deakin Uni)
This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub Research Plan 2023 project "Exploring the distribution and ecological value of seagrass at the Furneaux Islands, Tasmania". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata.
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Seagrass meadows are a dominant marine ecosystem of Tayaritja (the Furneaux Group of Islands) in north-eastern Tasmania. Historical coarse-scale mapping indicated extensive beds of Posidonia, Amphibolis, Heterozostera and Zostera, with the Posidonia and Amphibiolis beds being potentially some of the largest and deepest extents in temperate Australian waters. These habitats provide ecological, social, cultural and economic values, including habitat for fish and for maireener shells used by Pakana people for traditional necklace making.
This project worked in partnership with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre (TAC) to improve knowledge of seagrass extent, composition, population structure, ecological condition and blue carbon value around Tayaritja. Existing data were collated to guide survey design for mapping, and high-resolution satellite remote sensing was used to map seagrass beds down to a depth of approximately 30 metres, including intertidal lagoon systems associated with the Logan Lagoon Ramsar site. Field surveys, including video observations and rhizome coring, were used to validate satellite-derived maps and collect ecological samples.
Outputs from this project include spatial layers of seagrass extent, variability and species composition, classified using the Seamap Australia National Benthic Habitat Classification Scheme. Rhizome samples were used to assess blue carbon storage, genetic connectivity and diversity, population structure, reproductive strategies, and relationships between seagrass, animal and microbial communities in shallow waters.
The project developed new standards-based approaches for collecting, analysing, managing and reporting seagrass data, alongside training and guidance for the TAC land and sea management team and Pakana Rangers. The resulting methods and datasets will support Indigenous-led monitoring and management of the proposed Tayaritja Sea Country Indigenous Protected Area (IPA), and improve understanding of wetland values relevant to Ramsar reporting and future blue carbon opportunities.
Outputs
• Seagrass extent and composition map for Furneaux group [dataset]
• Seagrass imagery and associated seafloor annotations [dataset]
• Final project report [written]
Simple
Identification info
- Date (Creation)
- 2023-06-01
Identifier
Principal investigator
Collaborator
Collaborator
Collaborator
Collaborator
Collaborator
Collaborator
Collaborator
Collaborator
- Purpose
- To map the extent and blue carbon value of seagrass beds in the Furneaux group, Tasmania.
- Credit
- This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, the Environment, Energy & Water (DCCEEW) through the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub. In addition to NESP (DCCEEW) funding, this project is matched by an equivalent amount of in-kind support and co-investment from project partners and collaborators.
- Status
- Completed
Point of contact
Point of contact
- Topic category
-
- Biota
Extent
Temporal extent
- Time period
- 2023-01-01 2025-05-30
- Maintenance and update frequency
- As needed
- Keywords (Project)
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- National Environmental Science Program (NESP) Marine and Coastal Hub
- Keywords (Theme)
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- seagrass
- marine habitat mapping
- underwater video
- blue carbon
- regional marine ecosystems
- Indigenous values
- Keywords (Taxon)
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- Amphibolis
- Halophila
- Heterozostera
- Posidonia
- Zostera
Resource constraints
- Classification
- Unclassified
Resource constraints
- Use limitation
- The data collections described in this record are funded by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) through the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub.
Resource constraints
- Linkage
-
http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by/4.0/88x31.png
License Graphic
- Title
- Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
- Website
-
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
License Text
- Character encoding
- UTF8
Distribution Information
Metadata
- Metadata identifier
- urn:uuid/436e10ed-3322-494c-93a3-3bdf3405c045
- Language
- English
- Character encoding
- UTF8
Point of contact
- Parent metadata
Type of resource
- Resource scope
- Field session
- Name
- MaC Hub Project 3.6
- Metadata linkage
-
https://metadata.imas.utas.edu.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search#/metadata/436e10ed-3322-494c-93a3-3bdf3405c045
Point of truth URL of this metadata record
- Date info (Creation)
- 2023-06-01T12:00:00
- Date info (Revision)
- 2026-05-19T08:01:57
Metadata standard
- Title
- ISO 19115-3:2018
Overviews
Spatial extent
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