Project 6.1 - Literature review: A review that will synthesize the available scientific literature on the effects of dredging-related pressures on sponge communities using contemporary knowledge of the water quality conditions that occur during dredging projects. Sponges have been targeted due to their significance as benthic habitat formers in WA, whilst recognizing that other components of the filter feeder communities (e.g. ascidians) require examination once more funding becomes available.
The objective is to summarize and critically assess all available information on the effects of dredging-related impacts on sponges in context to a contemporary understanding of related impacts. We will provide a detailed synthesis on the state of knowledge that will facilitate the identification of the most significant gaps in knowledge, assist research planning and enable us to place experimental and field data into a larger context for predictions about pressure responses. This review will be based on scientific papers, but also on unpublished literature such as project reports and grey literature.
