From nets to barcodes: Selecting suitable methods for assessing fish and prawn assemblages in seagrass meadows
Darcy E Philpott1, Cecilia Villacorta-Rath2, Joseph D DiBattista3
1Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia; School of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, College of Science & Engineering, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia.
Marine Environmental Research
|July 31, 2025
Summary
Seagrass meadows are crucial for fish and prawns, but declining globally. This review evaluates sampling methods—capture, sensory, and molecular—to improve monitoring and conservation of these vital habitats.
Area of Science:
- Marine ecology
- Conservation biology
- Fisheries science
Background:
- Seagrass meadows are vital coastal ecosystems providing food and refuge for fish and prawns.
- These habitats serve as critical nursery grounds for juvenile fish and prawns.
- Global decline of seagrass ecosystems necessitates effective monitoring and management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and categorize methods for sampling fish and prawns in seagrass habitats.
- To guide researchers in selecting appropriate sampling techniques based on research objectives.
- To highlight the need for integrated approaches in seagrass biodiversity assessment.
Main Methods:
- Literature synthesis of sampling methods for fish and prawns in seagrass.
- Categorization into capture (e.g., trawls, seines), sensory (e.g., BRUVs, hydroacoustics), and molecular (eDNA metabarcoding) approaches.
- Development of a framework to aid in method selection for researchers.
Main Results:
- Capture methods yield biological data but are destructive.
- Sensory methods are non-destructive but affected by environmental conditions.
- Molecular methods (eDNA) are sensitive and non-invasive but face quantification challenges.
Conclusions:
- No single method is perfect; integration of multiple approaches enhances marine community assessment in seagrass.
- Future research should refine methodologies for accurate biodiversity monitoring while minimizing environmental impact.
- Developing a structured framework aids researchers in choosing optimal sampling strategies for seagrass ecosystems.
