20/12/2005 - A new internet-based
record of Western Australia’s marine plants has been
launched by the Australian and State Governments.
The project, which was developed by the Department of
Conservation and Land Management in conjunction with
a number of Perth institutions, was funded by the Australian
Government’s Natural Heritage Trust and Coastwest-Coastcare.
The database provides on-line access to around 1000
species of WA ’s marine macro algae and access to some
20,000 specimen details.
Australian Environment Minister, Senator Ian Campbell,
said the database would be an excellent resource for
all Western Australians wanting to get involved in the
protection of marine plants.
“This system is providing the best available science
for volunteers, community groups and natural resource
management bodies to make informed decisions about environmental
work,” Senator Campbell said.
“Armed with a better understanding we’ll be able to
make sure our diverse marine life remains healthy now
and into the future.”
The Ministers congratulated everyone involved in the
development of the database and wished them well with
future work. Speaking at the launch in Fremantle today,
Western Australian Environment Minister Dr Judy Edwards
said the database would ensure the reliable storage
and updating of plant information.
“The marine plants database will be a valuable tool
that offers extensive support to agencies, researchers
and community groups working to conserve the state’s
marine biodiversity,” Dr Edwards said.
“The database - which is incorporated with CALM’s FloraBase
terrestrial flora website - provides access to current
names and other information such as geographic localities,
habitat information and in some cases, images.
“Eventually the project will include descriptions and
tools for the identification of our marine plant species,
in the same way as those being made available for flora
on the land.”
All of WA ’s marine macro algae specimens are now housed
in the CALM Herbarium’s algal herbarium, and about 14,000
have now been entered on the database and added to the
original 6000 sheets at the herbarium.
Online access to the state’s marine plants will be provided
via CALM’s FloraBase information system on CALM's website
at www.naturebase.net/florabase
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