A low cost field‐survey method for mapping seagrasses and their potential threats: an example from the northern Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea

摘要: 1. In the Gulf of Aqaba (GoA), coral reefs are considered dominating ecosystem, while seagrass meadows, recognized worldwide as important ecosystems, have received little attention. Absence comprehensive maps limits awareness, evaluations associated ecosystem services, and implementation conservation management tools. 2. Presented here first detailed meadows along Israeli coast northern GoA. Mapping was performed by snorkelling transects perpendicular to shore above growing at 15–25 m. Measurements these included position, meadow depth visual estimations cover. Shallow boundaries parallel shore, were recorded GPS tracking. Supplementary work drop-camera boat surveys determine position deeper edge meadows. addition, GIS layers created that indicated shoreline infrastructures, near-shore human activities potential pollution threats. Ecosystem services mapped valuated using a benefit transfer approach. 3. total, 9.7 km 11 surveyed 2830 data points collected. Seagrasses 7.5 shoreline, with shallow (15–25 m) found cover an area 707 000 m2 valued more than US$ 2 yr-1 in services. Pilot (additional 283 points) can extend down 50 m some places. Coastal uses threats varied character location. A municipality runoff point drainage canal located close largest identified main local seagrasses. 4. These low-cost methods enhance our understanding distribution They demonstrate GIS-based tool for assessing how environmental changes might affect state seagrasses, improving efforts conserve seagrass, particular relevance mapping developing countries and/or island nations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.