Improving conservation outcomes for seadragons: data, knowledge gaps, and future directions

Tustison, CA; Wilson, NG; Rouse, GW; Booth, DJ; De Brauwer, M

Improving conservation outcomes for seadragons: data, knowledge gaps, and future directions

Tustison, CA Wilson, NG Rouse, GW Booth, DJ De Brauwer, M

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Publisher:: SPRINGER
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 2025
Issue Date:: 2025-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Tustison, CA
dc.contributor.author	Wilson, NG
dc.contributor.author	Rouse, GW
dc.contributor.author	Booth, DJ
dc.contributor.author	De Brauwer, M
dc.date.accessioned	2025-07-15T06:49:37Z
dc.date.available	2025-07-15T06:49:37Z
dc.date.issued	2025-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 2025
dc.identifier.issn	0960-3166
dc.identifier.issn	1573-5184
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/188399
dc.description.abstract	Seadragons are charismatic fishes endemic to Australia’s Great Southern Reef and are flagships for marine biodiversity. Due to their unique appearances and behaviors, seadragons are of interest for both scientific research and broader conservation purposes. However, studies on wild seadragon populations are challenging to implement, and peer-reviewed data on population demographics, life histories, and other aspects of seadragon biology and ecology are currently limited. Seadragon habitats, including kelp-covered reefs and seagrass meadows, have declined in various areas of the southern Australian coast, spurring concerns that seadragon abundances may also be contracting. The lack of range-wide baseline data on seadragon populations has precluded a robust understanding of their vulnerability to extinction, and further conservation-focused research has been recommended by past studies. Here, we summarize existing research on the three known seadragon species: common, leafy, and ruby seadragons, with the aim of improving future conservation outcomes for seadragons. Range-wide population size estimates and trends in abundance data are key knowledge gaps preventing accurate extinction risk assessments. Lack of data about basic ecological and biological factors such as longevity and reproduction further hinder effective conservation actions. We describe developing research methodologies including citizen science, machine learning, habitat mapping, and molecular methods that show promise for improving outcomes for these iconic fishes and the habitats they rely on.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	SPRINGER
dc.relation.ispartof	Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/s11160-025-09950-x
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	0608 Zoology, 0704 Fisheries Sciences, 1605 Policy and Administration
dc.subject.classification	Fisheries
dc.subject.classification	3005 Fisheries sciences
dc.subject.classification	3103 Ecology
dc.subject.classification	3109 Zoology
dc.title	Improving conservation outcomes for seadragons: data, knowledge gaps, and future directions
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.for	0608 Zoology
utslib.for	0704 Fisheries Sciences
utslib.for	1605 Policy and Administration
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Life Sciences
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2025-07-15T06:49:35Z
pubs.publication-status	Published

Abstract:

Seadragons are charismatic fishes endemic to Australia’s Great Southern Reef and are flagships for marine biodiversity. Due to their unique appearances and behaviors, seadragons are of interest for both scientific research and broader conservation purposes. However, studies on wild seadragon populations are challenging to implement, and peer-reviewed data on population demographics, life histories, and other aspects of seadragon biology and ecology are currently limited. Seadragon habitats, including kelp-covered reefs and seagrass meadows, have declined in various areas of the southern Australian coast, spurring concerns that seadragon abundances may also be contracting. The lack of range-wide baseline data on seadragon populations has precluded a robust understanding of their vulnerability to extinction, and further conservation-focused research has been recommended by past studies. Here, we summarize existing research on the three known seadragon species: common, leafy, and ruby seadragons, with the aim of improving future conservation outcomes for seadragons. Range-wide population size estimates and trends in abundance data are key knowledge gaps preventing accurate extinction risk assessments. Lack of data about basic ecological and biological factors such as longevity and reproduction further hinder effective conservation actions. We describe developing research methodologies including citizen science, machine learning, habitat mapping, and molecular methods that show promise for improving outcomes for these iconic fishes and the habitats they rely on.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/188399