Case Study for Great Barrier Reef Cumulative Impact Guidance: Whitsundays Plan of Management

Case Study for Great Barrier Reef Cumulative Impact Guidance: Whitsundays Plan of Management
Abstract:

A case study for the Whitsundays Plan of Management assessed cumulative impacts for coral reef ecosystems in the GBR, and included reefs surrounding Hayman, Arkhurst, Langford, Black, Bird and Hook Isles. Assessed pressures included coral bleaching, cyclonic storms and COTS outbreaks; and impacts from boat anchor damage, recreational fishing, and fin damage from snorkelling and scuba diving. An ecosystem model represented the direct effects of pressures, with the model validated against observed responses of reef biota in the assessment area following Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie in 2017. Model predictions found impacts from recreational use alone ranged from relatively low levels of likelihood where use and activity levels are most restricted, to relatively high where use and activities levels were greatest. The inclusion of climate change and COTS outbreaks dramatically increased the likelihood that reef values could be diminished throughout a majority of the area of assessment.

Document type: 
Document

Assessing the feasibility of restoring giant kelp forests in Tasmania - Final Report

Assessing the feasibility of restoring giant kelp forests in Tasmania - Final Report
Abstract:

This report examines whether warm water tolerant giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) exists among remnant Tasmanian giant kelp habitat, and if so, assesses their use in restoration trials. Giant kelp forests were previously common in Tasmanian waters, but ~95% declines of giant kelp cover over recent decades led to Federal listing as an endangered community. This decline is related to changes in regional oceanography and ocean warming, and while restoration is one possible conservation approach, any intervention must consider these ongoing threats. Using spores from remnant giant kelp we established a collection of 48 unique kelp cultures or ‘family-lines’. Thermal tolerance experiments found ~10% of the family-lines showed significant warm water tolerance. These ‘super kelp’ were then used in restoration trials, with several hundred juvenile giant kelp now established at two field sites. This project has progressed selective breeding of kelp and innovative restoration interventions.

Document type: 
Document
Availability: 
Available

Habitat loss and range shifts contribute to ecological generalisation amongst reef fishes

Habitat loss and range shifts contribute to ecological generalisation amongst reef fishes
Abstract:

Human activities are altering the structure of ecological communities, often favouring generalists over specialists. For reef fishes, increasingly degraded habitats and climate-driven range shifts may independently augment generalization, particularly if fishes with least-specific habitat requirements are more likely to shift geographic ranges to track their thermal niche. Using a unique global dataset on temperate and tropical reef fishes and habitat composition, we calculated a species generalization index that empirically estimates the habitat niche breadth of each fish species. We then applied the species generalization index to evaluate potential impacts of habitat loss and range shifts across large scales, on coral and rocky reefs. Our analyses revealed consistent habitat-induced shifts in community structure that favoured generalist fishes following regional coral mortality events and between adjacent sea urchin barrens and kelp habitats. Analysis of the distribution of tropical fishes also identified the species generalization index as the most important trait in predicting their poleward range extent, more so than body or range size. Generalist tropical reef fishes penetrate further into subtropical and temperate zones than specialists. Dynamic responses of reef fishes to habitat degradation imply loss of specialists at local scales, while generalists will be broadly favoured under intensifying anthropogenic pressures. An increased focus on individual requirements of specialists could provide useful guidance for species threat assessments and conservation actions, while ecosystem and multi-species fisheries models should recognize increasing prevalence of generalists.

Document type: 
Document
Availability: 
Available

Seagrass restoration is possible: Insights and lessons from Australia and New Zealand.

Seagrass restoration is possible: Insights and lessons from Australia and New Zealand.
Abstract:

Seagrasses are important marine ecosystems situated throughout the world’s coastlines. They are facing declines around the world due to global and local threats such as rising ocean temperatures, coastal development and pollution from sewage outfalls and agriculture. Efforts have been made to reduce seagrass loss through reducing local and regional stressors, and through active restoration. Seagrass restoration is a rapidly maturing discipline, but improved restoration practices are needed to enhance the success of future programs. Major gaps in knowledge remain, however, prior research efforts have provided valuable insights into factors influencing the outcomes of restoration and there are now several examples of successful large-scale restoration programs. A variety of tools and techniques have recently been developed that will improve the efficiency, cost effectiveness, and scalability of restoration programs. This review describes several restoration successes in Australia and New Zealand, with a focus on emerging techniques for restoration, key considerations for future programs, and highlights the benefits of increased collaboration, Traditional Owner (First Nation) and stakeholder engagement. Combined, these lessons and emerging approaches show that seagrass restoration is possible, and efforts should be directed at upscaling seagrass restoration into the future. This is critical for the future conservation of this important ecosystem and the ecological and coastal communities they support.

Document type: 
Document

Ling, Scott

Title 
Researcher
Partner Organisation 
Address 

IMAS Waterfront Building, 20 Castray Espl, Battery Point, Hobart Tasmania 7000

Phone 
+61 3 6226 2619
Email 
scott.ling@utas.edu.au

Current activities

NESP Biodiversity Hub "Project C2 - Continental-scale tracking of threats to shallow Australian reef ecosystems"

Chief Investigator - Strategic Marine Research Collaborative Agreement project “Early warning observing system for preventing Centrostephanus barrens

Evans, Karen

Title 
Researcher
Partner Organisation 
Address 

GPO Box 1538, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia

Phone 
+61 3 62325007
Email 
karen.evans@csiro.au

Current activities

Chin, Andrew

Title 
Researcher
Phone 
07 4781 486
Email 
andrew.chin@jcu.edu.au

Current activities

 

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