Proposal to Undertake Benthic Habitat Mapping,
Benthic Productivity and Seagrass Depth Range
Measurements and Macrofauna Surveys
in the Camden Haven and Hastings Estuaries
Prepared for:
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
Client Contact:
Matt Rogers
Prepared by:
Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry
School of Environmental Science and Management
Southern Cross University
PO BOX 157
Lismore 2480
Date:
14th September, 2005
Contact:
Dr. Bradley Eyre
Telephone:
(02) 66203773 (direct)
0419622824 (mobile)
(02) 66203650 (office)
(02) 66212669
beyre@scu.edu.au
Fax:
Email:
Objectives
The objectives of this project are to:
1. Undertake baseline surveys of benthic habitats, benthic productivity, seagrass
depth range and macrofauna in the Camden Haven and Hastings estuaries for
future comparison (2 to 3 years) as an indicator of the changing health of the
estuary.
2. Where previous benthic data exist (e.g. seagrass cover), compare with the
current surveys to quantify the extent of change as an indicator of current
estuarine health.
Benthic Habitat Mapping
We will map out all the major benthic habitats in the Camden Haven and Hastings
estuaries using aerial photo interpretation and field surveys. Examples of major
habitat types include:
• seagrass (different species),
• benthic microalgae,
• macroalgae
• subtidal shoals,
• intertidal shoals,
• organic muds,
• sands with yabbies,
• combinations of above.
Benthic Productivity Measurements
We will undertake benthic productivity and respiration measurements in each of the
major benthic habitats using benthic chambers and cores. Measurements will be
undertaken in triplicate every 3 months for one year (e.g. summer dry, summer postflood, winter, spring).
Benthic Macrofauna Surveys
We will collect macrofauna samples at key sites in some of the major benthic habitats
using cores (8 sites maximum). Five replicates will be collected at each site every 3
months for one year (e.g. summer dry, summer post-flood, winter, spring).
Macrofauna will be identified to species (where possible) and the abundance and
biomass of each species will be recorded.
Seagrass Depth Range
We will set up permanent transects in each of the major Zostera seagrass beds. At
each transect seagrass depth range will be measured bi-annually for one year.
Timing
• Aerial Photo Interpretation: September - December 2005
• Field Reconnaissance: September/ October 2005 (5 days)
• Habitat Mapping: Jan/ Feb 2006 (4 weeks)
• Field Work: April 2006 to March 2007 (4 x 4 weeks)
• Reporting: May/ June 2007
Reporting
We will provide council with a technical report on the benthic habitats, benthic
productivity, seagrass depth range and macrofauna in the Camden Haven and
Hastings estuaries. We will produce GIS maps of the benthic habitats and provide all
data in EXCEL Spreadsheets. Multivariate analysis techniques such as non-metric
multidimensional scaling, SIMPER analysis and analysis of similarities (ANOSIM)
will be used to compare macro fauna diversity and abundance between sites and
sampling times. These statistical procedures will be used to make inferences about
macrofauna species-environmental relationships. We will also examine relationships
between water quality variables and benthic habitats, seagrass depth range and
benthic productivity. Where previous benthic data exist (e.g. seagrass cover) we will
compare with the current surveys to quantify the extent of change. We will draw all
this information together and discuss the health of the estuaries. Details for an ongoing monitoring program will also be provided.
We will also provide a plain English summary including conceptual models suitable
for the general public and will give an oral presentation.
Budget
Field Preparation (including aerial photo interpretation)
Consumables
No charge for staff time (10 days x 2 persons)
as this is covered by PhD scholarships
Field Work
Travel (7500@$0.55/km)
Accommodation (camping -145 day@$30/ day)
Sustenance (145 days x 2 persons@$31/ day
No charge for staff time (145 days x 2 persons)
as this is covered by PhD scholarships
$2224
$ 4125
$ 4350
$ 8990
Laboratory Work
Macrofauna ID
Sample Analysis
$10311
$ 5000
Reporting
GIS Map Preparation
Report Writing
$ 5000
$ 9000
Total $49,000 + GST
Progress Payments
Completion of Habitat Mapping
Complete of Field Trips 1 & 2
Completion of Field Trips 3 & 4
Completion of Final Report
25%
25%
25%
25%
Requirements from Council
• Aerial photos/ satellite imagery
• GIS base maps
• Help in identifying volunteers to collect flow-weighted and rainfall samples and the
Camden Haven and Hastings catchments
• Background water quality data
• Wastewater loads (flow and concentration)
• Flow-gauging data
• Boat for field work
Other Work
In addition to the above work we will also be:
• Measuring pelagic productivity
• Measuring open-water metabolism
• Measuring sediment biogeochemistry processes (nutrient fluxes, denitrification)
• Measuring terrestrial and atmospheric carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus loads
• Measuring sedimentation rates (subject to AINSE Funding)
• Measuring carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus burial rates (subject to AINSE Funding)
• Constructing carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus budgets
• Tracing the flow of carbon and nitrogen up the food chain into fish using stable
isotopes
• Examining relationships between primary production, secondary production and
fisheries production
This work will be made available to Council via theses and publications.