The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area seagrasses: managing this iconic Australian ecosystem resource for the future

摘要: Abstract The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA) includes one of the world's largest areas seagrass (35,000 km 2 ) encompassing approximately 20% species. Mapping and monitoring programs sponsored by Australian Queensland Governments Port Authorities have tracked a worrying decrease in abundance area since 2007. This decline has almost certainly been result series severe tropical storms associated floods exacerbating existing human induced stressors. A complex variety marine terrestrial management actions plans implemented to protect other habitats GBRWHA. For seagrasses, these are inadequate. They provide an impression effective protection seagrasses; reduce sense urgency needed trigger action; waste valuable limited supply “conservation capital”. There is focus on ports, driven public concerns about high profile development projects, which exaggerates importance relatively concentrated impacts comparison total range threats at scale GBRWHA, more emphasis needs be placed connectivity between meadow health, watersheds, all urban agricultural with populations. cumulative from coastal processes GBRWHA not evenly distributed, mosaic low vulnerability areas. provides opportunity make choices for future that minimise stress meadows.