Seagrass communities of Vanuatu

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

1988年3月至4月期间，在瓦努阿图的60个地点开展了海草调查。通常，这些调查与同一项目下的珊瑚和鱼类调查选取相同地点进行。所选地点涵盖了瓦努阿图沿海及浅水区的所有主要生境，并聚焦于可见海草或看似适合海草生长的区域。每次调查持续30至120分钟，记录以下信息：1. 现存海草种类；2. 海草总丰度；3. 生境类型；4. 潮下带海草出现的最大深度；5. 若为潮间带则记录其在海岸的位置；6. 基质类型；7. 受盛行东风和东南风的影响程度；8. 水体透明度。海草调查的目标如下：1. 记录瓦努阿图各地沿海多种生境中出现的海草种类；2. 记录这些地点的海草丰度；3. 记录研究区域的选定生态条件（深度、基质类型、暴露程度、浊度）；4. 基于上述数据，确定调控瓦努阿图海草分布与丰度的因素；5. 识别具有重要意义的海草区域；6. 提出海草区域管理建议。本研究是1988年3月至4月开展的瓦努阿图海洋资源调查的一部分，由澳大利亚国际发展援助局资助。该调查的目标如下：1. 调查并描述瓦努阿图选定岛屿的浅水礁生境，充分覆盖地理与环境差异；2. 调查并描述马拉库拉岛及周边离岸岛屿的海洋生境；3. 制定马拉库拉岛及离岸岛屿的海岸管理计划，作为该国其他地区海岸带管理计划的基础；4. 培训瓦努阿图本地人员掌握海洋调查与海洋保护方法。