Influence of the Leeuwin Current on the marine flora of the Houtman Abrolhos

Phillips, J.C. and Huisman, J.M. (2009) Influence of the Leeuwin Current on the marine flora of the Houtman Abrolhos. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, 92 (2). pp. 139-146.

Preview

PDF - Published Version Download (1066kB) | Preview

Abstract

The influence of the Leeuwin Current on the marine flora of the Houtman Abrolhos is examined. The marine plants (seaweeds and seagrasses) are assessed by comparisons of the Houtman Abrolhos species diversity and composition relative to a nearby coastal region (Jurien Bay), using the tropical and temperate floras of Western Australia as benchmarks. Our results demonstrate that, in terms of assemblage structure and taxonomic distinctness, the marine flora of the Houtman Abrolhos clearly represent a transitional zone between tropical and temperate regions, with the strong tropical influence a direct result of the Leeuwin Current. In contrast, the nearby inshore flora of the Jurien Bay region exhibits a much lower, almost negligible tropical Influence.