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24. Hunter Estuary Wetlands Information in the draft Ecological Character Descriptions (ECDs) and the latest version of the Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS) for the Hunter Estuary Wetlands Ramsar site were reviewed to identify threats to the ecological character of the site. Terminology from these key Ramsar documents was aligned to be consistent with the approach of the Ramsar Rolling Review (see Table 1 explanation notes). The Ramsar Rolling Review uses the IUCN threat classification (reference) to standardise terminology across sites. All threat categories identified at the Hunter Estuary Wetlands Ramsar site are listed in Table 2. The critical components, processes and services (CPS) specified in the ECD are reproduced in Table 3, Table 4. Threats which have the potential to change one or more of the critical CPS within a 10 year timeframe are defined as imminent threats to the ecological character of the site (labelled IMM in Table 3, 4). . Consultation with site managers was undertaken to ensure the correct identification of current and imminent threats (see Table 1). A stressor model is presented to illustrate the major pathways by which imminent threats effect the critical CPS. For clarity, the model does not attempt to show non-imminent threats, weak linkages or feedbacks. The Hunter Estuary Wetlands contains two separate areas (Kooragang Wetlands and Shortlands Wetlands) that were listed at different times, are managed by different organizations and have independent ECDs. The critical components, processes and services as well as the current threats are different in each area and therefore separate models are presented below . Table 1: Notes regarding alignment of terminology and additional information sourced from site managers to aid in the development of the sites threat conceptual model. Notes: The Kooragang ECD follows the DEWHA Ramsar framework terminology and critical components and services above are as listed in the ECD with the addition of Threatened flora & fauna due to the presence of threatened birds and frogs at the site Kooragang ECD includes table on significant threats with likelihood and timing. Most threats are already occurring at the site with observable impact. The ECD’s claim in reference to Table 6-1 that “this table does not include all threats only those that have been mentioned in the literature as potential major threats.” Is taken on face value although references for each threat are not provided. The direction, timing and impacts of climate change at the site are unknown so both IUCN threats 11.2. Drought and 11.4. Storms & Flooding were considered although not imminent at this site. Both the RIS and ECD mention the threat of oil spill a the site due to the presence of shipping and industry. No oil spills have been recorded. As oil spills is a catastrophic event rather than an ongoing stressor that can be managed they are not included in the model. Non-Imminent Threats IUCN 11.1 – Habitat Shifting & Alteration (sea level rise) – Rising sea levels will have direct impacts on tide heights and salinity in the long term. These are long-term changes and unlikely to be detected in the next 10 years. IUCN 11.2 – Drought – declining rainfall will alter soil salinity and change plant distributions as well as influencing breeding and migration cues and success (ECD). These are long-term changes and unlikely to be detected in the next 10 years. IUCN 11.4 - Storms & Flooding – Changes to flood patterns will alter habitat condition, water quality and inundation patterns in the long term (ECD). The Shortland Wetlands ECD lists critical services based on the Ramsar listing criteria and defines one or more LAC for each. The following services were mapped to the MEA 2005 terminology for inclusion in the model as follows. Services Provides a combination of wetland types, which is unique in the bioregion -> Supporting Service: Priority wetland species and ecosystems Provides good example of a wetland type that is rare in the bioregion -> Supporting Service: Priority wetland species and ecosystems Supports a threatened wetland species (Australasian Bittern) -> Supporting service: Threatened wetland species, habitats and ecosystems Supports a high diversity of wetland species -> Supporting service: Biodiversity Supports waterbird breeding colonies -> Waterbirds Supports shorebird migration -> Waterbirds Provides drought refuge for waterbird -> Waterbirds Supports a major roost site for waterbirds -> Waterbirds Support to recovery of populations of declining wetland species (Green & Golden Bell Frog; Magpie Goose) -> Supporting service: Biodiversity Removal, dilution and filtering of wastewaters (including stormwater) from urban areas -> Regulating service: Pollution control and detoxification through trapping, storage and/or treatment of contaminants Supports predators (Ibises and Cattle Egrets) of agricultural pests -> Regulating service: Biological control of pest species and diseases and support of predators of agricultural pests Provides opportunity for nature observation -> Cultural service: Science and education Provides opportunities for education and research on wetlands -> Cultural service: Science and education Demonstrates community participation in wetland management that builds capacity for action and awareness of wetland services -> Cultural service: Science and education Contains a recognised indigenous occupation site -> Cultural service: Cultural heritage and identity Component/Processes Hydrological regime of Melaleuca Swamp Forest -> Hydrology (threat) Inundation of wetland communities -> Hydrological process Water quality in BHP Billiton pond – emergent property - not a component, process or service Table 2: Major categories and subcategories of current threats for the Ramsar site. 24. Hunter Estuary Wetlands 1. Residential & Commercial Development 1.1. Housing & urban areas 1.2. Commercial & industrial areas 2. Agriculture & Aquaculture 2.3. Livestock farming & ranching 4. Transportation & Service Corridors 4.3. Shipping lanes (dredging) 7. Natural System Modification 7.2. Dams and water management/use 8. Invasive & Other Problematic Species & Genes 8.1. Invasive non-native/alien species 9. Pollution 9.1. Household sewage & urban waste water 9.2. Industrial & military effluents 11. Climate Change & Severe Weather 11.1. Habitat shifting & alteration 11.2. Drought 11.4. Storms & flooding Table 3: Matrix of all current threats against critical components, processes, and services showing those considered to be an imminent threat to the ecological character of the Kooragang Wetlands area of the Hunter Estuary Wetlands Ramsar site (components shaded blue, processes green, Geomorphology Hydrology IMM Wetland Vegetation IMM IMM Waterbirds IMM IMM IMM IMM IMM IMM IMM Threatened flora & fauna IMM IMM IMM IMM IMM IMM IMM Fish IMM IMM IMM IMM IMM Invertebrates IMM Frogs IMM Provisioning Service: Provision of aquatic foods for human consumption Regulating service: Maintenance and regulation of climate Regulating service: Pollution control and detoxification through trapping, storage and/or treatment of contaminants Regulating service: Natural hazard reduction IMM IMM IMM IMM IMM IMM 11.4. Storms & flooding 11.2. Drought 11.1. Habitat shifting & alteration 9.2. Industrial & military effluents 8.1. Invasive nonnative/alien species 7.2. Dams and water management/use 4.3. Shipping lanes (dredging) 2.3. Livestock farming & ranching 1.2. Commercial & industrial areas Components (blue), Processes (green), Services (yellow) 1.1. Housing & urban areas services yellow). Cultural service: Recreation Cultural service: Tourism Cultural service: Spiritual and inspirational 2.3. Livestock farming & ranching 4.3. Shipping lanes (dredging) 7.2. Dams and water management/use 8.1. Invasive nonnative/alien species 9.2. Industrial & military effluents IMM IMM IMM IMM IMM IMM IMM 11.4. Storms & flooding 11.2. Drought 11.1. Habitat shifting & alteration 1.2. Commercial & industrial areas Supporting service: Threatened wetland species, habitats and ecosystems 1.1. Housing & urban areas Components (blue), Processes (green), Services (yellow) Table 4: Matrix of all current threats against critical components, processes, and services showing those considered to be an imminent threat to the ecological character of the Shortland Wetlands area of the Hunter Estuary Wetlands Ramsar site (components shaded blue, processes green, services yellow). 9.1. Household sewage & urban waste water Hydrology IMM Wetland Vegetation IMM IMM IMM Waterbirds IMM IMM Threatened flora & fauna IMM Wetland Inundation IMM 7.2. Dams and water management/use 8.1. Invasive nonnative/alien species Components (blue), Processes (green), Services (yellow) Regulating service: Biological control of pest species and diseases and support of predators of agricultural pests Regulating service: Pollution control and detoxification through trapping, storage and/or treatment of contaminants Cultural service: Science and education Cultural service: Cultural heritage and identity Supporting service: Biodiversity IMM IMM Supporting service: Threatened wetland species, habitats and ecosystems IMM IMM Supporting Service: Priority wetland species and ecosystems IMM Key to shapes used in conceptual model. Hunter Estuary Wetlands – PART 1 (Kooragang Wetlands) 1. Residential & Commercial Development 1.1. Housing & urban areas 1.2. Commercial & industrial areas 9. Pollution 9.2. Industrial & military effluents Toxicants Indicators: Concentration of heavy metals, pesticides, hydrocarbons 2. Agriculture & Aquaculture 2.3. Livestock farming & ranching Decreased light Indicators: Turbidity 4. Transportation & Service Corridors 4.3. Shipping lanes (dredging) Decreased freshwater inflows Indicator: Salinity Increased magnitude of tidal flow Indicator: Salinity, depth hydrograph Barrier to fish migration Indicator: Fish recruitment Disruption of breeding Species mortality (poisoning, gill abrasion) Reduced primary productivity Disruption of migration Component: Fish Service: Provision of aquatic foods for human consumption 7 Natural System Modifications 7.2. Dams & water management/ use Component: Waterbirds Change in physical habitat (Salinity) Component: Threatened flora & fauna Service: Threatened wetland species Altered community composition (vegetation) Component: Wetland Vegetation 8 Invasive & Other Problematic Species & Genes 8.1. Invasive non-native/alien species Invasive species (alligator weed, black rat, foxes, Gambusia) Indicators: %cover alligator weed, predator abundance Increased predation Component: Frogs Hunter Estuary Wetlands – PART 2 (Shortland Wetlands) 9. Pollution 9.1. Household sewage & urban waste water 7 Natural System Modifications 7.2 dams & water management/use Increased nutrients Indicators: Nitrogen and phosphorus (Total N, Total P) Invasive species (alligator weed) Indicators: %cover alligator weed Increased duration of inundation Indicator: Duration of inundation Decreased health (Melaleuca swamp forest) Component: Threatened Flora & Fauna Services: Biodiversity, threatened wetland species, habitats and ecosystems 8 Invasive & Other Problematic Species & Genes 8.1 invasive non-native/alien species Altered community composition (vegetation) Component: Wetland vegetation Component: Waterbirds