Wooramel Seagrass Bank facts for kids

The Wooramel Seagrass Bank is a giant sandbank located off the coast of Carnarvon, Western Australia. It's made up of special sand and huge groups of seagrass. These seagrasses grow together, forming thick mats that hold the sand in place. They also help slow down the ocean currents and tides. This amazing underwater area provides food and a safe home for many creatures living in the Shark Bay Marine Park.

What is the Wooramel Seagrass Bank?

The Wooramel Seagrass Bank is found in the eastern part of the Shark Bay World Heritage area. It's a very long structure, about 129 kilometers (80 miles) long and 8 kilometers (5 miles) wide. This huge area includes different types of seagrass communities, sandy plains, and tidal channels.

The World's Largest Seagrass Bank

This seagrass bank covers a massive area of 1,030 square kilometers (398 square miles). This makes it the biggest seagrass bank in the entire world! The only other similar structure is found far away in the Mediterranean Sea.

Amazing Seagrass Diversity

Shark Bay is home to more types of seagrass than almost anywhere else. Scientists have found twelve different species of seagrass in this area. In some spots, you can even find nine different species growing together! Usually, a single patch of seagrass will have one to four different kinds.

Home to Many Animals

The Wooramel Seagrass Bank is full of life. Many different marine animals live here, including various types of fish, crabs, lobsters, and sea stars. These creatures actually help the bank grow! When they die, their shells and other parts break down into tiny pieces. The seagrass then traps these pieces, which helps build up the sandbank over time.

The Dugong's Special Place

One of the most famous animals that lives near the Wooramel Bank is the Dugong. These gentle sea creatures are endangered, but Shark Bay has one of the largest groups left in the world, with over 500 dugongs. They love to eat the seagrass found along the Wooramel bank.

A Globally Important Site

People first started studying the Wooramel Seagrass Bank in 1970. Since then, many studies have been done to protect this special place. The Australian Heritage Database, which lists important natural sites, calls this bank "internationally significant." This means it's super important worldwide because of its many different seagrass types and the amazing sea life it supports. It's also a key place for scientists to learn more about how these unique underwater structures work.