Dugong dugon feeding in tropical Australian seagrass meadows: implications for conservation planning

PeerJ

article

Samantha J. Tol¹  Rob G. Coles¹  Bradley C. Congdon² 

[1] Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University;College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University

关键词: Dugong dugon;    Seagrass;    Feeding behaviour;    Coastal management;    Conservation;    Marine herbivore;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.2194

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

Dugongs (Dugong dugon) are listed as vulnerable to extinction due to rapid population reductions caused in part by loss of seagrass feeding meadows. Understanding dugong feeding behaviour in tropical Australia, where the majority of dugongs live, will assist conservation strategies. We examined whether feeding patterns in intertidal seagrass meadows in tropical north-eastern Australia were related to seagrass biomass, species composition and/or nitrogen content. The total biomass of each seagrass species removed by feeding dugongs was measured and compared to its relative availability. Nitrogen concentrations were also determined for each seagrass species present at the sites. Dugongs consumed seagrass species in proportion to their availability, with biomass being the primary determining factor. Species composition and/or nitrogen content influenced consumption to a lesser degree. Conservation plans focused on protecting high biomass intertidal seagrass meadows are likely to be most effective at ensuring the survival of dugong in tropical north-eastern Australia.

【 授权许可】

CC BY