Marine Natural Values Study Summary - Parks Victoria

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interpres and the hooded ploverThinornis rubricollis.The subtidal soft sediments are hometo seagrasses such as Zostera sp. inthe sheltered areas and Amphibolisantarctica in the exposed areas.The intertidal basalt reef is hometo sixteen species of algae and twoseagrasses (Amphibolis antarcticaand Halophila ovalis restricted to rockpools) that occur in low densities.Common algal species includeHormosira banksii, crustose and erectcoralline algae, black lichen, and sealettuce (Ulva spp.). Small patchesof the small aggregating musselLimnoperna pulex can be found,as well as tube worms (likelyGaleolaria caespitosa).The sanctuary has a highly diverseinvertebrate assemblage with sixtyone species including molluscs (e.g.Siphonaria spp, Dicathais orbita,Bembicium nanum, Austrocochleaconstricta, Nerita atramentosa),crustaceans (e.g. Paragrapsis sp.,Cyclograpsis sp.), worms (e.g.Galeolaria caespitosa), echinoderms(e.g. Parvulastra exigua), ascidians(e.g. Botrylloides leachii) andanemones (e.g. Actinia tenebrosaand Aulactinia veratra).The top shell Calliostoma armillata.Photo by Mark Norman, Museum Victoria.Several common algae have beenobserved on the shallow subtidalrocky reefs and include mixed browns(e.g. Cystophora sp.), Phyllosporacomosa and Ecklonia radiata. The bullkelp Durvillaea potatorum is commonon the intertidal platform edges.The seagrass Amphibolis antarcticais also common.Although there have been no detailedsurveys of the subtidal reef invertebrateassemblage, some species recordedin intertidal rock pools are also likelyto be found on subtidal reefs (e.g.sea stars Nectria ocellata andSmilasterias multipara).The water column is home to a varietyof planktonic and pelagic organisms.Those that make their permanenthome in the water column include seajellies, salps, fish, and phytoplanktonand zooplankton. A number seabirdsand Australian fur seals are alsofound in or use the water columnin the sanctuary.Species and Communitiesof Conservation SignificanceThe sanctuary has 15 conservationlisted seabirds and shorebirdsincluding the critically endangeredgrey-tailed tattler Heteroscelus brevipes.Several vulnerable species includingthe fairy prion Pachyptila turtur, shyThalassarche cauta and black-browedT. melanophris albatross and othersof varying conservation significanceare found in or near the sanctuary.One marine mammal speciesof conservation significance, theAustralian fur seal Arctocephaluspusillus doriferus, has been sightedin the sanctuary. The sanctuaryis also home to two known endemiccrustaceans and one presumedto be endemic: Apsolidium densum,Bassethullia glypta andSyrnola jonesiana.Thirty seven marine species have beenrecorded or are presumed to be attheir distributional limit includinga number of algae (including twentysix species of red algae, e.g. Lomentariapyramidalis), shrimp (e.g. Tozeumakimberi), crabs (e.g. Pachygrapsustransverses), marine snails (e.g.Cheirodonta labiata), sea cucumbers(e.g. Apsolidium handrecki) anda chiton Ischnochiton virgatus.Major ThreatsMeasures to address or minimisethreats identified for Mushroom ReefMarine Sanctuary form part of thepark management plan. Parks Victoriaalso uses an adaptive managementapproach which includes periodicreviews of priority natural values andthreats through processes such as theState of the Parks evaluation andsetting of desired conservationoutcomes. Through these processes31
Parks Victoria has identified emergingthreats and developed appropriatemanagement responses.Serious threats include freshwater,nutrients and sediments fromdischarges, illegal fishing, fossicking,trampling, disturbance of birds andinvasive marine pests. A numberof introduced marine pests havethe potential to colonise within thesanctuary from nearby watersin Port Phillip Bay and the oceanwaters of Bass Strait.Climate change also poses a seriousmedium to long term threat to naturalvalues. Parks Victoria will use anadaptive management approachto develop responses and actionsthat focus on priority climate changeissues such as extreme weather eventsand existing risks that are likelyto be exacerbated by climate change.Research and MonitoringParks Victoria has establishedextensive marine research andmonitoring programs that addressimportant management challengesfor the marine national parks andsanctuaries. These focus on improvingbaseline knowledge, as well as appliedmanagement questions.in 2002 our knowledge andunderstanding of natural values andthreats for the system have improvedsignificantly through the marine scienceprogram. Much of the research hasbeen undertaken as part of theResearch Partners Program involvingcollaboration with variousresearch institutions.There are five ongoing researchprojects and one habitat mappingproject that are relevant to MushroomReef Marine Sanctuary, while eightresearch projects and one habitatmapping project have already beencompleted. The sanctuary has anongoing intertidal reef monitoringprogram and a community-basedmonitoring program (Sea Search).While recognising there are stillknowledge gaps Parks Victoria willcontinue to focus on addressing theinformation needs that will assistmanagement.For more information, includingmarine habitat mapping products,please see the full versions of theMarine Natural Values reportson www.parks.vic.gov.au.Since the establishment of the parksThe sea star Nectria ocellata in Mushroom Reef MarineSanctuary. Photo by Mark Norman, Museum Victoria.32
Page 1 and 2: Marine Natural ValuesStudy Summary1
Page 3: Australia’s southern waters areun
Page 6 and 7: Marine Natural Values Study Summary
Page 8 and 9: Marine National Park form part of t
Page 10 and 11: this habitat is an important feedin
Page 16 and 17: park management plan. Parks Victori
Page 18 and 19: e seen at low tide, though itis gen
Page 22 and 23: (Belloliva leucozona), though thism
Page 24 and 25: (as deep as 50m) including ascidian
Page 30 and 31: caspia, Sternula nereis and Sternas
Page 36 and 37: The park is home to twenty-one biot
Page 38 and 39: Physical Parameters and ProcessesTh
Page 40 and 41: on the unvegetated sand beds.Specie
Page 42 and 43: Inside the Heads in Point Lonsdalea
Page 45 and 46: Sand patches and associated seagras
Page 49 and 50: Major ThreatsMeasures to address or
Page 51 and 52: anksii, as well as sea lettuce Ulva
Page 55 and 56: at their distributional limits in W
Page 57 and 58: provide habitat for epiphyticfilame
Page 61 and 62: Potentially thirty two species ofma
Page 63 and 64: of Victoria’s migratory waders an
Page 67 and 68: and polychaetes.Subtidal reefs and
Page 73 and 74: The introduced New Zealand seastarA
Page 75 and 76: The marine flora and fauna of thesu
Page 79: organisms. Those that make theirper

Marine Natural Values Study Summary - Parks Victoria

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