The distribution of seagrass species in shark bay, Western Australia, with notes on their ecology

Twelve species of seagrass were found in Shark Bay (26°S, 114°E), forming some of the largest seagrass meadows reported. The distribution of the species within the bay and descriptions of typical habitat types are given. The area is dominated by Amphibolis antarctica (Labill.) Sonder ex Aschers. which covers 3700 km2, approximately 85% of the area covered by seagrasses, with smaller areas of Posidonia australis Hook. f. (200 km2). Smaller seagrasses occupy an additional 500 km2, which includes patches of high species richness, with up to 9 species within a few m2. Factors influencing the distribution of seagrasses within Shark Bay are discussed