5.5.1 Light stress thresholds for seagrass

Description

Changes to the amount of light and burial by the deposition of suspended sediments are presumed to be major mechanisms by which dredging can impact seagrasses. This report presents findings from a controlled burial experiment that aimed to determine the effects of burial by sediments on the growth of two seagrass species found in the northwest of Western Australia.

Aims

• To determine the effects of light stress under dredge-simulated conditions on two seagrass species found in the northwest of Western Australia.
• Provide guidance and protocols for the application of the research outputs (e.g. light stress-response relationships, sub-lethal and lethal bio-indicators and thresholds) to impact prediction, monitoring and/or management of dredging programs in northwest Western Australia.