Assessing intertidal seagrass beds relative to water quality in Vanuatu, South Pacific. (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lincoln, Susana; Vannoni, Marta; Benson, Lisa; Engelhard, Georg H.; Tracey, Dieter; Shaw, Christina; Molisa, Vatumaraga
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 163(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: Seagrass -- Water quality -- Vulnerability -- Human activities -- Intertidal -- Pacific islands -- Climate change; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111936
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Seagrasses are globally important, but their extent is decreasing due to the impact of human activities and changing climatic conditions. Seagrass meadows provide vital services, but their condition and distribution are not yet well known, particularly in many small tropical Pacific islands. In 2018, observations and samples were collected from intertidal seagrasses of Efate Island, Vanuatu (South Pacific). Observations included canopy height, percentage cover, growth rate and species variety. Water quality samples were also collected in some locations. Our seagrass metrics suggested more challenging conditions for the seagrasses near Port Vila, the main urban area in the island, where water quality analyses indicated higher levels of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and suspended solids.