

State and trends in indicators of marine ecosystem health
State and trends in indicators of marine ecosystem health
This assessment summary has changed since 2011
- This assessment summary combines ecological processes, physical & chemical processes and pests, introduced species. diseases and algal blooms
Water turbidity, transparency and colour
This assessment summary component has changed from 2011.
- The assessment title was revised to maintain distinction between coastal and marine environments for the purposes of the report.
- This component was included in a different summary
The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.
Relatively limited areas of naturally high turbidity are found in open-water regions
Substantial changes to inshore water conditions and processes in the south-east
Connectivity based on physical processes
This assessment summary component has changed from 2011.
- Connectivity within the marine environment is predominantly driven by physical processes which influence spatial/physical disjunctions, biological, migration , flyways, recruitment, settlement, genome structures, genetic adaptation. The assessments were merged and the title revised to reflect the primary driver of connectivity in the marine environment and focus the assessment on an area where the most information is available.
The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.
Connectivity between regions is influenced by physical processes and is highly dynamic. Changes in physical processes associated with climate change are assumed to be impacting connectivity, with varying effects on marine populations.
Connectivity—biological, migration, flyways
South-east in poor condition and continues to decline
Connectivity—genome structures, genetic adaptation
Knowledge base very limited and condition hard to assess
Connectivity—recruitment, settlement
Variable across the regions, improving in some and declining in others
Connectivity—spatial/physical disjunctions
South-east has been significantly affected
Trophic structures and relationships
This assessment summary component has changed from 2011.
- This component was included in a different summary
The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.
Current state is highly variable. Locations highly impacted by climate or cumulative pressures are poor, whereas other locations are stable and in good condition.
South-west and north-west are in poor condition, substantially affected by historical and ongoing fishing
Marine microbial communities and processes
This assessment summary component has changed from 2011.
- The assessment title was revised to support provision a comprehensive assessment for the marine environment.
- This component was included in a different summary
The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.
Methods for the assessment of communities have only recently become available and the development of baselines has only just started, so an assessment of status and trends is not possible.
Knowledge base very limited and condition hard to assess
Trends are regionally variable and depend on the magnitude and timing of nutrient supply
Grade and trends based on inshore and offshore areas in all marine regions
Benthic Productivity
This component was included in a different summary
Unable to be assessed at a regional or national scale because of a lack of data
Good to very good in all regions
Herbivory processes
This component was included in a different summary
Unable to be assessed at a regional or national scale because of a lack of data
Declines observed in the east
Viral diseases, parasitic infestations, mass die-offs
This assessment summary component has changed from 2011.
- The assessment title has been re-worded to support provision a comprehensive assessment for the marine environment.
- This component is now included in a different summary
The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.
No major disease outbreaks outside of coastal areas have occurred. National conditions remain stable.
A major disease outbreak has occurred, and condition in the south-east region is poor
Algal blooms, jellyfish blooms
This component was included in a different summary
Assessment based on a limited number of sites in each marine region. Trends in jellyfish blooms likely increasing.
Blooms of algae and other species occur regularly, and condition in the south-east region is poor
Crown-of-thorns starfish
This assessment summary component has changed from 2011.
- The assessment title has been reworded to reflect scientific use.
- This component was included in a different summary
The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.
Outbreaks have been highly cyclical in the past 50 years, but long-term trends are unclear. Outbreak populations are higher in the north-east than in the north-west.
Occurs regularly across the east region, and condition there is poor
Number and abundance of NIMPIS listed species
This component was included in a different summary
Significant changes in the distribution and impacts of NIMPIS-listed pests have not been reported
Condition in the south-east region is poor and declining
Number and abundance of introduced species
This component was included in a different summary
The number of introduced pests has increased over time, but information about their abundance (and any changes in this) is lacking and associated impacts are highly uncertain
Number of introduced species is high, possibly increasing, but their impacts and trends are unknown
Assessment Summary Key
Grades
Very good
Very few, if any changes in physical, chemical and biological processes have occurred a result of human activities or declining environmental conditions
Good
Some changes in physical, chemical and biological processes have occurred a result of human activities or declining environmental conditions in some areas, but these are not significantly affecting ecosystem functions
Poor
Substantial changes in physical, chemical or biological processes have occurred a result of human activities or declining environmental conditions and these are significantly affecting ecosystem functions in some areas
Very poor
Substantial changes in physical, chemical and biological processes have occurred a result of human activities or declining environmental conditions and these are significantly affecting ecosystem functions across widespread areas
Recent Trends
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Improving
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Stable
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Deteriorating
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Unclear
Confidence
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Adequate: Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus
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Somewhat adequate: Adequate high-quality evidence or high level of consensus
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Limited: Limited evidence or limited consensus
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Very limited: Limited evidence and limited consensus
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Low: Evidence and consensus too low to make an assessment
Comparability
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Comparable: Grade and trend are comparable to the previous assessment
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Somewhat comparable: Grade and trend are somewhat comparable to the previous assessment
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Not comparable: Grade and trend are not comparable to the previous assessment
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Not previously assessed
Comments
Nil.