Najeen Rula1, Adam Smith2, Rob Kinley3, Emma Jackson1
1CQUniversity, Coastal Marine Ecosystem Research Centre, Gladstone, Queensland 4680, 2Reef Ecologic, Townsville, Queensland 4810, 3FutureFeed Pty Ltd, Townsville, Queensland 4811
Correspondence: Najeen Arabelle M. Rula, n.rula@cqumail.com
Asparagopsis taxiformis is a red macroalgae typically found in subtidal zones attached to rocky substrates. Recent interest has increased towards harvesting this seaweed for research and culture technology development as a feed ingredient for mitigation of enteric methane from ruminant livestock. Critical to the sustainable utilization and management of this resource is thorough information on its spatial distribution. In addition, several studies have reported the ability of A. taxiformis has also been reported to outcompete corals and therefore an understanding of the current distribution of A. taxiformis can inform habitat shifts. Historical records indicate its distribution across the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Southeast Queensland, and Western Australia. Recently, records of its occurrence in iNaturalist have increased, extending the knowledge on the distribution of A. taxiformis. In this study, a preliminary modelling using maximum entropy was conducted to estimate the current broad-scale current distribution of A. taxiformis in the GBR utilizing environmental layers from various sources including Qspatial and modelled environmental variables from eReefs. Habitat suitability maps were produced at the scale of the GBR (4 km resolution) and for key areas, for example Gladstone and the Keppel Islands (100 m to 1 km resolution) with an AUC accuracy of > 0.6. Several factors were included in the modelling, with wave exposure as a possible key indicator driving its distribution. Results of this study will be refined further to develop more robust models which can be used to understand better the ecology of A. taxiformis and inform resource monitoring and management.