Sparse seagrass meadows are critical dugong habitat: A novel rapid assessment of habitat-wildlife associations using paired drone and in-water surveys

We acknowledge the traditional custodians as care takers of sea country where this work took place; Baiyungu, Thalanyji, and Murujuga. We appreciate the funding and support of staff from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. This work in some remote areas of the Pilbara could not have been successful without the support of the vessel Keshi Mer II and their competent, knowledgeable skippers, Andy Edwards and Sam Crock and crew Ellece Nichols. A large team supported the drone operations, we appreciate their expertise and diligence: Simon Butler; Tom MacLaurin and Chester Edwards. An enthusiastic and dedicated boat and dive team also assisted in field collections of seagrass data including Connor Campbell, Flavia Tarquinio, Chanelle Webster, Gloria Salgado, Cristian Salinas Zapata, Federico Vitelli and Rob Czarnik.This research was funded by the Chevron-operated Wheatstone LNG Project's State Environmental Offsets Program administered by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. The Wheat-stone Project is a joint venture between Australian subsidiaries of Chevron, Kuwaut Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) , and Apache Corporation and Kyushu Electric Power Company, together with PE Wheatstone Pty Ltd (part-owned by TEPCO) . This project was also supported by Woodside through the Pluto LNG Environmental Offsets Program. The funders were not involved in the study design, collection, analysis, interpretation of data, the writing of this article or the decision to submit it for publication.