Effect of climate and human induced changes on the seagrasses in Lake Illawarra

摘要: Lake Illawarra normally has over 5 km2 of seagrasses, including large meadows Zostera capricorni and Ruppia megacarpa, smaller patches Halophila ovalis H. decipiens. The seagrasses are regionally significant as a fish wildlife habitat provide very proportion the primary productivity Lake. At some locations these particularly beds Ruppia, associated with macro-algae blooms can be responsible for odours public access issues. As result, recognised need to conserve often conflicts pressure lake “management”. There is evidence long-term (decadal) permanent loss in seagrass from specific sites around Lake, due management (e.g., dredging reclamation). However, massive dieback (and many other shallow water communities) occurred during 2003 El Nino event. A drop level, combined severe westerly winds winter dieback, were virtually all above-ground lake. falling levels result drought conditions that affected eastern Australia. Such climatic events have dramatic impacts on intermittently open closed coastal lakes. Recovery after such will depend overall health lake, respect key environmental factors important growth, clarity.