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Transcript
18. Port Phillip Bay and Bellarine Peninsula Information in the Ecological Character Description (ECD) (Hale 2009) and the latest version of the Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS) for the Port Phillip Bay and Bellarine Peninsula 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 Port Phillip Bay and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar site are listed in Table 2. The critical components, processes and services (CPS) specified in the ECD are reproduced in Table 3. 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). . 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. 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: Critical components, processes, benefits and services are as indicated in the ECD. Threats are from ECD and site management plan. The management plan considered that urban and commercial development was a serious threat, but this was mostly due to stormwater and other pollutants. This is captured in threat 9.1 Discussion with site managers (Parks Victoria) lead to the removal of dredging as a threat and inclusion of pest plants and animals. The CSIRO Port Phillip Bay Study (Harris et al. 1996) identified the need to significantly reduce nitrogen loads to the Bay. The Western Treatment Plant (WTP) is responsible for over 50% of nitrogen inputs. Melbourne Water developed an Environmental Improvement Plan with the aim of reducing nutrient discharge. Actions under the plan include: An upgrade of the wastewater treatment process and a consequent reduction in the total nitrogen load to PPB (->Decreased nutrients); A reduction in retention times for water in some areas of the WTP (->decreased frequency of inundation); Decommissioning of some lagoons (which now receive treated effluent rather than sedimented sewage) A change to the patterns of irrigation in the grassland areas and a potential change in agricultural practices (-> Decreased nutrients and decreased frequency of inundation). Threats listed in the ECD, but not considered “imminent” are: Recreation – disturbance of migratory birds may be an issue, but this is unlikely to cause the magnitude of change in bird numbers that would be considered a change in ecological character of the site. Water resource development – site was listed with a degree of water resource development and the character of Reedy lake is maintained by the presence of artificial structures. There is no evidence that wide scale changes in water resource use are imminent. Climate change – the major impacts from climate change at this site are related to sea level rise and increased storm surges, these are not predicted to be sufficient to change the character of the site within the next 10 years. Commercial fishing – much of the Ramsar site is protected marine waters and fishing is not permitted. While there is evidence that commercial fishing may act as competition for seabirds, it is not considered that this alone is likely to result in a change in the ecological character of the site in the next 10 years. Chytrid fungus – global scale threat not known to occur in the Ramsar site. Following feedback from State representative (Yvette Baker) and Parks Victoria (Mark Rodrigue) Invasive species (foxes and Spartina) were added as an imminent threat and the model and SSF updated to reflect this. Table 2: Major categories and subcategories of current threats for the Ramsar site. 18. Port Phillip Bay and Bellarine Peninsula 1. Residential & Commercial Development 1.1. Housing & urban areas 7. Natural System Modifications 7.2. Dams & water management/use 2. Agriculture and Aquaculture 2.1. Annual & perennial non-timber crops 2.3. Livestock farming and ranching 8. Invasive & Other Problematic Species & Genes 8.1. Invasive Non-native/Alien Species 4. Transportation & Service Corridors 4.3. Shipping lanes 5. Biological Resource Use 5.1. Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals 5.4. Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources 6. Human Intrusion & Disturbance 6.1. Recreation activities 9. Pollution 9.1. Household sewage & urban waste water 9.3. Agricultural & forestry effluents 11. Climate Change & Severe Weather 11.4. Storms & flooding IMM Hydrology Vegetation Frogs IMM Fish Waterbirds IMM IMM Orange-bellied Parrot IMM IMM Provisioning service: Water supply Cultural service: Recreation Cultural service: Tourism Cultural service: Science and education Cultural service: Spiritual and inspirational Supporting service: Physical habitat IMM IMM Supporting service: Biodiversity IMM Supporting service: Threatened wetland species, habitat and ecosystems IMM IMM Supporting service: Ecological connectivity IMM IMM IMM 11.4. Storms & flooding 9.1. Household sewage & urban waste water IMM Geomorphology 9.3. Agricultural & forestry effluents 8.1. Invasive Nonnative/Alien Species 7.2. Dams & water management/use 6.1. Recreation activities 5.4. Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources 5.1. Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals 4.3. Shipping lanes 2.3. Livestock farming and ranching 1.1. Housing & urban areas Components (blue), Processes (green) Services (yellow) 2.1. Annual & perennial non-timber crops 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 Port Phillip Bay and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar site (components shaded blue, processes green, services yellow). Key to shapes used in conceptual model. References Hale, J., 2009, Ecological Character Description for the Port Phillip Bay (western shoreline) and Bellarine Peninsula Ramsar Site. Report to the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra 18. Port Phillip Bay and Bellarine Peninsula 9. Pollution 9.1. Household sewage & urban waste water (change in operation at waste treatment plant) Decreased nutrients Indicator: Nitrogen concentration (Total N NOx, NH4) 2. Agriculture & Aquaculture 2.1. Annual & perennial non-timber crops (change in operation at waste treatment plant) Decreased frequency of inundation 8. Invasive & Other Problematic Species & Genes 8.1. Invasive non-native/alien species Invasive species (foxes, cats) Indicator: Abundance 9. Pollution 9.1. Household sewage & urban waste water (urban stormwater) Invasive species (Spartina) Indicator: Extent Decreased light Indicator: Secchi depth Increased nutrients Indicator: Nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations (PO4, NOx, NH4) Reduced primary productivity Indicator: Chlorophyll Disruption of breeding (Growling Grass Frog) Altered food webs (decreased secondary productivity) Component: Fish Services: Biodiversity, Ecological connectivity Component: Frogs Service: Threatened species Increased predation (waterbirds) Altered food webs Indicator: No of Ibis foraging Component: Waterbirds Services: Physical habitat, Biodiversity, Threatened species, Ecological connectivity Altered community composition (saltmarsh) Component: Vegetation (saltmarsh) Service: Physical habitat Decreased vegetation health Component: Vegetation (freshwater aquatic flora) Service: Physical habitat Component: Vegetation (seagrass) Service: Physical habitat