Doctoral Thesis
Improving Seagrass Restoration in Tropical Intertidal Areas
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Murdoch University
2024
Abstract
Seagrass ecosystems are globally declining due to a combination of many factors. Many restoration attempts have been carried out, with various approaches and results. Given the research gaps identified in the literature review, this study aims to address some gaps in site selection, low survival in the intertidal area, donor recovery, and monitoring duration, with a particular focus on tropical, intertidal ecosystems.
Ambon Bay, Indonesia, has several meadows that have been heavily degraded or destroyed during recent decades due to reclamation and other causes. Although seagrass transplantation has been done in this location, transplants have only survived in subtidal areas. In contrast, total loss has occurred in intertidal areas, possibly caused by desiccation during low tide.
Therefore, this thesis explored artificial tide pools (ATP) as a transplanting method in Kate-kate Beach, Ambon, for 20 months. Although survival in ATP plots was lower than in controls because sediments buried them, the surviving transplants had longer leaves than in control plots. Further development of this technique is needed because this method could support better transplant growth if the structure can withstand sedimentation.
Another aspect addressed in this study is the short duration of restoration activities in Indonesia, which makes it difficult to evaluate long-term success and donor recovery state. Therefore, a reobservation of previous transplantation sites, which were unmonitored for more than 6 years, was conducted in Waai Beach and Kate-kate Beach, Ambon Island. A field experiment on donor recovery was also conducted for more than 1 year. While initial results (within 1 year) were disappointing, the reobservation showed very good recovery. It was also clear that more than 1 year is needed to study donor recovery. It is clear that long-term monitoring periods are needed for seagrass restoration activities.
Details
- Title
- Improving Seagrass Restoration in Tropical Intertidal Areas
- Authors/Creators
- Andri Irawan
- Contributors
- Mike Van Keulen (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic EcosystemsProfessor Jennifer Verduin (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems
- Awarding Institution
- Murdoch University; Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Identifiers
- 991005726581407891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- College of Environmental and Life Sciences; School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences
- Resource Type
- Doctoral Thesis
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