Contributing to the management of a seagrass habitat by determining its natural or anthropogenic structuring (Salcombe Estuary, SW England)

Seagrass beds consist of valuable coastal habitats that are affected by environmental and anthropogenic factors. Previous studies implied seagrass loss in Salcombe estuary and recent mapping of the eelgrass bed identified fragmented structure and adverse effects of moorings. Environmental variables that are likely to affect seagrass were investigated and human activities were monitored in order to assess their impact on the seagrass pattern. Wave exposure, sediment composition and water flow were studied and correlated with seagrass attributes by the use of GIS and multivariate analysis techniques. Findings were compared with the estimation of human-induced mechanical damage.Faculty of Scienc