State and trends of quality of habitat-forming species

Coasts (2016)

State and trends of quality of habitat-forming species

Saltmarshes

This component has changed since 2011.

The component has been moved from Marine environment to Coasts

The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.

Historically decimated near urban areas in the south-east, with loss due to channeling of rivers, concretisation and drainage. Currently under threat from mangrove encroachment, invasive species, and insect control activities.

Year(s):

2016

Deteriorating

Confidence (in grade):

Somewhat adequate

Confidence (in trend):

Somewhat adequate

Comparability (to previous reports):

Somewhat comparable

Saltmarshes

20162011

Coasts

State and trends

Approach/Process

This assessment summary is the result of consultation with three or more independent subject-matter experts. Each expert was asked to provide scores for the state and trend of the topic, the confidence in their scores, and supporting information to explain their reasoning. Consensus scores were determined after considering responses from all experts in the light of supporting information, and in conjunction with other data sources where they were available.

Data/Information sources

Combined input from three or more independent experts (see Approach/Process above), together with the literature and data sources cited in the report text.

Comments

Nil.

Topics

Biodiversity: Habitat-forming species

East in poor condition and declining

Year(s):

2011

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

Biodiversity: Habitat-forming species

Mangroves

This assessment summary component has changed from 2011.

The component has been moved from Marine environment to Coasts

The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.

Approximately 10% of Australia's mangroves were lost in 2016 due to climate pressures in northern Australian. Affected by coastal development in some areas, but increasing in extent elsewhere.

Year(s):

2016

Deteriorating

Confidence (in grade):

Somewhat adequate

Confidence (in trend):

Very limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Somewhat comparable

Mangroves

20162011

Coasts

State and trends

Approach/Process

Data/Information sources

Combined input from three or more independent experts (see Approach/Process above), together with the literature and data sources cited in the report text.

Comments

Nil.

Topics

Biodiversity: Habitat-forming species

East and south-east regions in poor condition

Year(s):

2011

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Adequate

Confidence (in trend):

Adequate

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

Biodiversity: Habitat-forming species

Seagrass

This component has changed from 2011.

The component has been moved from Marine environment to Coasts

The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.

Pressured by nutrient and sediment addition, habitat loss and severe weather events (e.g. tropical cyclones), particularly in Queensland and New South Wales.

Year(s):

2016

Deteriorating

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Somewhat comparable

Seagrass

20162011

Coasts

State and trends

Approach/Process

Data/Information sources

Combined input from three or more independent experts (see Approach/Process above), together with the literature and data sources cited in the report text.

Comments

Nil.

Topics

Coastal waterways

East and south-east regions in poor condition

Year(s):

2011

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

Coastal waterways

Assessment Summary Key

Grades

Very good

Human activities or declining environmental conditions have had no or only minor impacts on habitats, species/taxa groups, physical, biogeochemical, biological or ecological processes.

Good

Human activities or declining environmental conditions have had some significant impacts on habitats, species/taxa groups, physical, biogeochemical, biological or ecological processes, but effects are not persistent or substantial on overall habitats, species/taxa groups or processes.

Poor

Human activities or declining environmental conditions have caused substantial changes to habitats, species/taxa groups, physical, biogeochemical, biological or ecological processes, resulting in persistent and substantial effects on habitats, species groups or processes.

Very poor

Human activities or declining environmental conditions have caused widespread changes to habitats, species or processes resulting in loss of habitat, species/taxa groups and ecosystem functioning.

Recent Trends

Improving
Stable
Deteriorating
Unclear

Confidence

Adequate: Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus
Somewhat adequate: Adequate high-quality evidence or high level of consensus
Limited: Limited evidence or limited consensus
Very limited: Limited evidence and limited consensus
Low: Evidence and consensus too low to make an assessment

Comparability

Comparable: Grade and trend are comparable to the previous assessment
Somewhat comparable: Grade and trend are somewhat comparable to the previous assessment
Not comparable: Grade and trend are not comparable to the previous assessment
Not previously assessed

Clark GF, Johnston EL (2016). Coasts: State and trends of quality of habitat-forming species . In: Australia state of the environment 2016, Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra, https://soe.environment.gov.au/assessment-summary/coasts/state-and-trends-quality-habitat-forming-species, DOI 10.4226/94/58b659bdc758b

The assessment summaries in State of the Environment reporting provide snapshots of key information, and focus on identifying areas for continued or more concentrated attention on strengthening environmental systems to cope with pressures in the future. Assessment summaries are provided for state and trend, pressures and management responses in each of the themes. The summary text in the assessment tables should be read in conjunction with the explanatory text in each section of the theme chapters.

The authors have indicated the strength of the evidence for assessments with a ‘level of confidence’. If adequate high-quality data were available or consensus was high, confidence is indicated as high. If there were only limited data or consensus to determine grades, confidence is indicated as low. Where data are insufficient to attempt scores, this is also indicated, and the component remains on the list to remind readers that it is still an important aspect of the Australian environment, and that more information is needed to improve our understanding and capacity to respond to environmental challenges.

State and trends of quality of habitat-forming species