From Australian Oceans Data Network
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Seagrass communities of Vanuatu

Created 23/06/2025

Updated 23/06/2025

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Seagrass surveys were undertaken at 60 localities in Vanuatu during March/April 1988. Generally, surveys were carried out in the same localities chosen for coral and fish surveys, for the same project. Localities contained all the major habitats found along the coastal and shallow water areas of Vanuatu and focused on areas that could be seen to have seagrass or looked suitable for seagrass.Each survey lasted between 30 and 120 minutes and the following information was recorded:1. species of seagrass present2. total abundance of seagrass3. habitat type4. maximum depth of seagrass occurrence at sublittoral sites5. position on shore if intertidal6. substrate type7. exposure to prevailing east and southeast winds8. water clarity The objectives of the seagrass survey were:1. to record the species of seagrass occurring at a wide variety of coastal locations throughout Vanuatu, covering the range of habitats in the country2. to record the abundance of seagrass in these localities3. to record selected ecological conditions in the study areas (depth, substrate type, exposure, turbidity)4. to determine from the above data information about factors controlling the distribution and abundance of seagrasses in Vanuatu5. to identify areas of major seagrass importance6. to derive recommendations for the management of seagrass areas This research was a component of a survey of Vanuatu marine resources conducted in March/April 1988 and was funded by the Australian International Development Assistance Bureau.The objectives of the survey were:1. to survey and describe the shallow water reef habitats from selected islands of Vanuatu, adequately covering geographical and environmental variation2. to survey and describe the marine habitats around the shores of Malakula, including offshore islands3. to derive a coastal management plan for Malakula and offshore islands which can serve as a basis for Coastal Zone Management plans for the rest of the country4. to train Ni-Vanuatu personnel in marine survey and marine conservation methods

Files and APIs

Additional Info

Field Value
Title Seagrass communities of Vanuatu
Language eng
Licence Not Specified
Landing Page https://data.gov.au/data/en/dataset/ed7a6b4b-3f33-4dd0-80d0-b4e3d6323445
Contact Point
Australian Ocean Data Network
reception@aims.gov.au
Reference Period 20/11/2017
Geospatial Coverage
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
{
  "coordinates": [
    [
      [
        166.0,
        -21.0
      ],
      [
        170.0,
        -21.0
      ],
      [
        170.0,
        -13.0
      ],
      [
        166.0,
        -13.0
      ],
      [
        166.0,
        -21.0
      ]
    ]
  ],
  "type": "Polygon"
}
Data Portal Australian Oceans Data Network

Data Source

This dataset was originally found on Australian Oceans Data Network "Seagrass communities of Vanuatu". Please visit the source to access the original metadata of the dataset:
https://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/csw/dataset/seagrass-communities-of-vanuatu1