Seagrass

Seagrass in Tin Can Inlet

Cymodocea serrulata

Source CC

Halodule uninervis

Source CC

Zostera capricorni

Source

Syringodium isoetifolium

Source CC

Seven species of seagrass have been recorded from the Great Sandy Strait:

  • Cymodocea serrulata (Serrated Ribbon Seagrass)

  • Halodule uninervis (Needle Seagrass)

  • Halophila ovalis (Spoon Seagrass)

  • Halophila spinulosa (Fern Seagrass)

  • Halophila decipien (Hairy Spoon Seagrass or Paddle Grass)

  • Syringodium isoetifolium (Noodle seagrass)

  • Zostera capricorni (Ribbonweed or Eelgrass)

Primary species present in meadows sampled through previous studies were Zostera capricorni and Halophila spp


Seagrass meadows in Tin Can Inlet

Photo courtesy of Rainbow Beach Helicopters

Halophila ovalis

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Halophila spinulosa

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Halophila decipien

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Seagrass and dugongs

Adult dugongs feed predominantly on seagrass and can eat 30 kg of seagrass per day.


Dugong cow and calf. Source

Seagrass and turtles

"The reduction of seagrass (over 80 per cent decline in some locations) has contributed to turtles becoming sluggish and having reduced breath-holding capacity, which means turtles are spending more time at the surface and travelling further distances in search of food, increasing the likelihood of boat strikes. "

Source: Queensland Department of Environment and Science.

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