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Case Studies – how has Community Monitoring been used in the past? Case study Seagrass-Watch, Qld, Australia Seagrass-Watch is arguably the most successful international Community Seagrass Monitoring Program. Seagrass-Watch is a “scientific, non-destructive, seagrass assessment and monitoring program in the world. Since it's genesis in 1998 in Australia, Seagrass-Watch has expanded internationally, with participants to date in the Asia Pacific. Monitoring is currently occurring at over 150 sites.” With Principal Scientist Len McKenzie based at Headquarters in Queensland, Australia, the program is going from strength to strength. Data and information collected by the program is used in management and preservation efforts globally. For example, Seagrass-Watch data is used for State of the Environment reporting for National and state government departments, as well as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA). Data is used to ground truth aerial photographs that map seagrass extent. And there are several examples of how Seagrass-Watch has had a positive effect (apart from education, awareness, conservation support), as Len McKenzie explains; “In 2003, SGW participants reported a decline in seagrass abundance and significant amounts of very fine mud being deposited on their monitoring sites (see Seagrass-Watch News Issue 17 June 2003). Both state and local government was contacted, and the issue was investigated. What they found was that the dredging occurring in an adjacent marine development, had failed to comply with procedure – the wall to the dredge spoil settlement pond had breached and the silt curtains had failed. The resulting fine dredge material had moved from the site onto the nearby seagrass meadows. The operation was made to repair the wall and comply with recommendations. Seagrass meadows have since recovered and the very fine mud has dissipated.” “At Whitehaven Beach (rated as one of the top 10 beaches in the world), SGW participants were concerned about the impacts of so many vessels visiting the area and established monitoring sites in high and low impact areas. They wanted to monitor the effects of anchoring on seagrass meadows. Their results have shown that the level of anchoring has increased so much that there is no longer any difference between the low impacted and high impacts areas. As of a couple of weeks ago, the GBRMPA are now looking at installing mooring buoys to reduce anchoring (much the same as now in place for coral reefs).” “In the Great Sandy Strait, SGW participants reported a decline over the past couple of years in seagrass cover and an increase in epiphytic algal cover – an indicator of elevated nutrients. EPA is now re-evaluating it’s water quality monitoring program and the implementation of proper sewage rather than septic.” |