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Parks Victoria Technical Series No. 79 Flinders and Twofold Shelf Bioregions Marine Natural Values Study 3.1.3 MARINE ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES General Since the first <strong>natural</strong> <strong>values</strong> report by Plummer et al. (2003) Parks Victoria has invested in monitoring and mapping surveys in Beware Reef MS. This includes detailed bathymetric mapping (Figure 41) of the MS (Ball and Blake 2007). There have been four SRMP surveys of the shallow subtidal reef biota of Beware Reef MS (Edmunds et al. 2005; Williams et al. 2007; Edmunds et al. 2010b). There have been no surveys of the biota of intertidal reef or the pelagic habitats. From surveys so far (Table 29), red algae dominate the diversity of macrophytes, fish and birds the vertebrates, however many more species of biota have been identified and photographed by Friends of Beware Reef. Nearby important locations for some birds is shown in Figure 42 but there are no recognised significant biota sites in the MS. Table 29. Summary of the number of species in major biotic groups found in Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary. Biotic group Number of species Macrophytes 19 Brown algae 7 Red algae 12 Invertebrates 9 Decapod 3 Chitons 3 Echinoderms 3 Vertebrates 53 Fish 17 Birds 29 Reptiles 1 Mammals 7 Figure 43. Superb feather hydroid Gymnangium superbum in Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary. Photo taken by Friends of Beware Reef Marine Sanctuary. 95
Parks Victoria Technical Series No. 79 Flinders and Twofold Shelf Bioregions Marine Natural Values Study Intertidal Soft sediment There is no intertidal soft sediment habitat in Beware Reef MS. Reef Intertidal reef biota is exposed to large changes in physical conditions such as temperature and desiccation. There is great spatial and temporal variability in the life histories of the organisms and the environmental processes in reef habitats (Underwood and Chapman 2004). The recruitment of new biota onto the reef, largely from plankton, strongly influences the ecological patterns for individual species and assemblages. Interactions between biota on the reef also influence biota distribution. Resources which are often in short supply on intertidal reefs are space on which to live and food (Underwood and Chapman 2004). The exposed intertidal reef is a 0.3 hectare gently rounded offshore granite platform, which is wave-swept in high seas (Parks Victoria 2006a). Thick stands of bull kelp Durvillaea potatorum dominate the lower intertidal reef, with coralline algae and fleshy green and brown algae occurring elsewhere (Parks Victoria 2006a). Durvillaea is more abundant along the exposed southern side of the island (Edmunds et al. 2005).The cunjevoi Pyura stolonifera is the dominant invertebrate on the intertidal reef (Parks Victoria 2006a). Large barnacles and mussels cover much of the rock, while other areas are bare (Parks Victoria 2006a). As noted by Plummer et al. (2003) no specific data on the biota of intertidal reefs are available for Beware Reef MS. Subtidal Soft sediment Deep subtidal soft sandy sediment is widespread within the MS. No biological surveys have been undertaken of this community within the sanctuary to date, but it probably supports numerous polychaetes, isopods, gastropods, euphausiids, ophiuroids, bivalves, amphipods, cumaceans and cephalopods (Plummer et al. 2003). A trawl survey conducted 10 km west of the sanctuary indicates that the presence of some species of fish is seasonal. Common species found included: sparsely spotted stingaree Urolophus paucimaculatus, gurnard Lepidotrigla spp., flathead Platycephalus spp., common gurnard perch Neosebastes scorpaenoides, banded stingaree Urolophus cruciatus and school whiting Sillago bassiensis (Bird & Watson 1993 as reported in Plummer et al. 2003). Numerous shark species were also found in the survey: swell Cephaloscyllium laticeps, angel Squatina australis, spotted cat Asymbolus analis, southern saw Pristiophorus nudipinnis, elephant Callorhynchus milii, gummy Mustelus antarcticus and Port Jackson Heterodontus portusjacksoni sharks. Newborn pups of gummy sharks inhabit shallow inshore areas and there is some evidence to suggest that the inshore sandy areas east of Wilsons Promontory, including Beware Reef MS, may be important feeding areas for gummy shark pups (Plummer et al. 2003). Reef Subtidal reefs and the assemblages associated with them are strongly influenced by the position of the reef, its orientation, slope, depth, exposure and topography (Connell 2007). These physical parameters influence key physical processes such as light, water flow and sedimentation, and biological processes such as foraging and recruitment (Connell 2007). Biotic assemblages of algae and sessile invertebrates can form habitat and food sources for invertebrates and fish. Shallow (< 15 m) subtidal reefs are known for their high biological complexity, species diversity and productivity and in addition they have significant economic value through commercial and recreational fishing (outside of MPAs), diving and other tourism activities (Power and Boxshall 2007). Shallow subtidal reefs are often dominated by canopy forming algae. Deep reefs, where light penetration is limited, are often dominated by large sessile invertebrates such as massive sponges, whip corals, soft corals and colonial 96
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Figure 15. Location of habitat type
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Page 139 and 140: 4 Appendix 1 Compilation of species
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