Investigating habitat values of seagrass, macroalgae and wrack in the Swan Canning Riverpark

Seagrass is recognised as an asset in the Swan Canning Riverpark, stabilising sediment and maintaining oxygen levels at the sediment/water interface. The dominant species, Halophila ovalis, is also an important food source for the iconic black swan and is thought to support diverse and productive faunal assemblages. However, much of the information about the value of this habitat is gleaned from Zostera species in estuaries elsewhere. Very little is known of the biodiversity and ecological value of Halophila, which is vastly different in shape and form to Zostera [...].