EXCAVATION:
-reclamation
-port or marina development
-sand and gravel extraction
EROSION:
-wave and current action; changes in hydrology
BURIAL:
-land reclamation for coastal developments and dredge spoil dumping
STORMS:
-tropical cyclones / typhoons
WATER QUALITY:
-nutrients in water promote phytoplankton
growth and epiphyte growth and reduce light
available to the plants
-nutrient load may be ground water
contamination and be persistent
-dams and weirs alter the amount of fresh water
available to tidal seagrass beds
TURBIDITY:
-loss of light due to suspended solids and phytoplankton
-can be caused by accelerated erosion from
catchment activities,
eg:- Farming, Foresting
and Building construction
SALINITY:
-
Coastal development may influence salinities
HYDROCARBONS:-
seagrass may suffer losses under acute oil spill impacts
HEAVY METALS:
-
seagrass roots can concentrate heavy metals then pass them up the food chain leading to many animals being poisoned.
STRESS AND DISEASE:
-
seagrasses under stress may be more susceptible to diseases
INAPPROPRIATE BOATING PRACTICES:
-
damage to seagrass can be caused by anchors,
propellers and swing mooring chains when dragged across seagrass bed
INAPPROPRIATE BAITING PRACTICES:-
digging for bait among beds can also cause damage
INTERGRATED CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT WHICH SEEKS TO ADDRESS DOWNSTREAM IMPACTS OF LAND RUN-OFF MAY BE ONE OF THE BEST MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR SUCCESSFUL SEAGRASS CONSERVATION.
