Download 24. Hunter Estuary Wetlands

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