Seagrasses of Southwest Australia: West Coast

Along some 600 km of the west coast, a line of offshore islands and submerged reefs provides protection from the full force of ocean swell and zones of sand deposition. The longitudinal reef and islands remain from former coastlines drowned by rising sea levels - the most recent rise was about 6,000 - 12,000 years ago. These reefs are up to 20 km from shore, creating carbonate sand habitats which are ideal for seagrass growth, either very protected, such as Cockburn Sound, or more exposed, such as Marmion Lagoon.

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