Seagrasses are an important foundation species in shallow marine ecosystems and provide critical ecosystem services, including stabilizing sediments, sequestering carbon and provide habitat and an energy source for a diverse fauna. We know that recovery after disturbance to a seagrass meadow takes a long time (decades), if at all.
Marine species inhabiting Station Beach, which are at risk of disturbance from the dog trials, include pipefish and the endangered White’s seahorse.