Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Effects of dredging-related pressures on critical ecological processes for organisms other than fish or coral. Report of Theme 9 - Project 9.1 prepared for the Dredging Science Node

Document Type

Report

Publisher

Western Australian Marine Science Institution

School

School of Science

Comments

Short, J., Fraser, M., McLean, D., Kendrick, G., Byrne, M., Caley, J., ... & Wu, P. (2017). Effects of dredging-related pressures on critical ecological processes for organisms other than fish or coral. Report of Theme 9-Project 9.1 prepared for the Dredging Science Node, Western Australian Marine Science Institution, Perth, Western Australia, 47 pp.

https://wamsi.org.au/project/9-1-effects-of-dredging-on-ecological-processes/

Abstract

This study reviewed environmental windows for organisms other than corals and fish such as sessile invertebrates, macroalgae and seagrasses. Environmental windows are periods of critical importance to the life history of a marine species, like reproduction and recruitment.

Aims

To review the scientific literature on the timing and spatial extent of critical ecological processes relevant to tropical WA for marine primary producers and invertebrates (i.e. organisms other than coral and finfish) and the state of knowledge regarding potential effects of dredging on these key ecological processes. The review also had a particular focus on ecological processes in marine primary producers and invertebrates that occur during discrete, predictable periods, and on organisms that are potentially invasive species.
To identify potentially critical periods (ecological windows) and locations when mitigating scheduling and other management processes could be implemented to reduce the impact of dredging on non- coral and non-finfish biota and the potential for invasive species to become established. As well as this review, the management need is: to guide and target management to minimise disruption to both the critical ecological windows and dredging programs.