EXECUTIVE SUMMARY XIII The implications of climate change on the site particularly sea level rise and changes to rainfall and runoff patterns are a relevant long term threat to the ecological character of the Shoalwater and Corio Bays Area Ramsar site.
Furthermore; predicted changes in climate (see below) are likely to result in further changes to fire regimes.
Climate Change Taking into consideration the coastal location of the Ramsar site; climate change represents a salient threat to ecological character.
Potential impacts of climate change on coastal ecosystems are described in Voice et al. (2006).
The following climate change impacts are considered most relevant to the site . increased coastal flooding and sea level rise . changes to freshwater flow regimes due to changes in rainfall and runoff . increased frequency and intensity of storm events increased temperatures.
CHANGES TO ECOLOGICAL CHARACTER AND THREATS 4 Climate change is considered a specific threat to freshwater wetland areas within the site as extensive tree deaths in ecotonal situations in eastern SWBTA were observed in 2007; presumably caused by saline intrusion in the absence of sufficient fresh groundwater during the prolonged regional drought (R Jaensch pers. comm. 2009).
Such impacts may be exacerbated by sea level rise associated with climate change.
However; unlike many coastal sites; the Shoalwater and Corio Bays Area Ramsar site provides opportunities for ecological adaptation to climate change given the size of the site; the topographical variation and lack of fragmentation or modification (DoD 2009).
Every 3 5 years with particular consideration of likely climate change impacts.
Potential changes to ecological character since listing Key threats Information knowledge gaps Fire; peat removal; alteration to hydrology; ignorance; climate change Little or no information is known about the fauna (frogs and fishes) supported by peat swamps within the site; and limited information is available on their flora.
Dugong present primarily in the proximity of seagrass assemblages present in the shallow waters of Shoalwater Bay and Port Clinton Green Turtle see above noting some evidence of habitat partitioning amongst foraging green turtle with smaller turtles occurring mostly in upper intertidal mangrove areas; rocky habitats and draining gutters Freshwater fish freshwater swamps and lakes in the Dismal and Freshwater sector Seagrass is the key habitat type that underpins the usage of the site by foraging dugongs and green turtles The presence of wallum (acidic) freshwater swamps; lakes and streams support the populations of honey blue eye and possible Oxleyan pygmy perch Ecosystem processes that underpin the populations include those processes that affect habitat availability which in the context of seagrass include hydrodynamics; water quality (principally water clarity); nutrient cycling and climate (temperature stress).
As outlined in the Ramsar Guidelines for Global Action on Peatlands (GAP); peatlands are increasingly being recognised as a highly important wetland type at the global level through their role in contributing to global biodiversity; as an important carbon sink and through the retention of paleo environmental information about previous landscapes and climate states.
SUMMARY OF CRITICAL SERVICES; COMPONENTS AND PROCESSES 3 As climate changes; the climate of Central Queensland is expected to become warmer; water availability is expected to be reduced and extreme storm events are likely to increase in frequency (DoD 2009).
In terms of water inflows and wetlands; a significant implication of climate change is that while large flow events will continue; the frequency of flooding; flows and duration of inundation are likely to be reduced (as a result of shorter wet seasons and less rainfall).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY XIII The implications of climate change on the site particularly sea level rise and changes to rainfall and runoff patterns are a relevant long term threat to the ecological character of the Shoalwater and Corio Bays Area Ramsar site.
Furthermore; predicted changes in climate (see below) are likely to result in further changes to fire regimes.
Climate Change Taking into consideration the coastal location of the Ramsar site; climate change represents a salient threat to ecological character.
Potential impacts of climate change on coastal ecosystems are described in Voice et al. (2006).
The following climate change impacts are considered most relevant to the site . increased coastal flooding and sea level rise . changes to freshwater flow regimes due to changes in rainfall and runoff . increased frequency and intensity of storm events increased temperatures.
CHANGES TO ECOLOGICAL CHARACTER AND THREATS 4 Climate change is considered a specific threat to freshwater wetland areas within the site as extensive tree deaths in ecotonal situations in eastern SWBTA were observed in 2007; presumably caused by saline intrusion in the absence of sufficient fresh groundwater during the prolonged regional drought (R Jaensch pers. comm. 2009).
Such impacts may be exacerbated by sea level rise associated with climate change.
However; unlike many coastal sites; the Shoalwater and Corio Bays Area Ramsar site provides opportunities for ecological adaptation to climate change given the size of the site; the topographical variation and lack of fragmentation or modification (DoD 2009).
Every 3 5 years with particular consideration of likely climate change impacts.
As outlined in the Ramsar Guidelines for Global Action on Peatlands (GAP); peatlands are increasingly being recognised as a highly important wetland type at the global level through their role in contributing to global biodiversity; as an important carbon sink and through the retention of paleo environmental information about previous landscapes and climate states.
In terms of water inflows and wetlands; a significant implication of climate change is that while large flow events will continue; the frequency of flooding; flows and duration of inundation are likely to be reduced (as a result of shorter wet seasons and less rainfall).
There have been no observable trends in the general landscape health of SWBTA attributable to Defence activities’. . ‘Over the wider landscape fire regimes have maintained the general status quo; with impacts only particularly evident in the vulnerable minor communities and ecosystems; riparian areas and rainforest patches in particular.
Low Within Mining and quarrying. unknown Energy production and mining Surrounding area Fire Medium Short to Altered structure composition of vegetation.
Fire Although fire is a natural component of the landscape; anthropogenic interactions with the landscape over time have led to modified natural fire regimes; and continue to alter fire regimes.
Altered fire regimes threaten vegetation communities as regeneration processes are directly impacted and often controlled by fire.
Changed fire regimes threaten terrestrial vegetation within the site; including ecologically significant vegetation communities and habitats of listed migratory species.
Potential implications may include; for example . mortality or reduced abundance of freshwater flora and fauna species due to saltwater intrusion reduced suitability of habitats for fauna due to changes in vegetation and or structural damage . landward migration of mangrove and saltmarsh wetlands . greater fire risks due to increased temperatures and reduced rainfall proliferation of invasive weeds and or feral animals better suited to new habitats . . impaired reproduction for species reliant on water or ground temperatures . gender imbalances for species reliant on temperature for sex determination of offspring coral bleaching due to increased temperatures and water acidification.
Honey blue eye change to groundwater or surface water hydrology and water quality uncontrolled fire and or access regimes introduction of exotics (none are currently present on the site).
Key threats A summary of the conclusions in regards to fauna subject to this service (and the habitat relied upon) within the site; are as follows (though see further detail in service 6) Shoalwater Bay section no significant disturbances or threats to migratory shorebirds identified minor disturbance to intertidal habitats due to human activities; restricted and localised areas of disturbance to mangrove wetlands on the western side some coastal erosion noted (though linked to natural causes) presence of weeds and feral animals noted within freshwater swamps though no significant impacts and evidence of fire damage to notable areas of peat in the central swamp on the Clinton Lowlands constitutes a significant disturbance (but presumably linked to natural causes) though recognising there is a high potential for fire (arising from adjoining dryland habitats) to result in significant damage to peat deposits within freshwater swamps during dry conditions. (Jaensch 2008a and b) presence of foxes recorded near shorebird roost sites (though abundance considered to be low and ongoing fox control program has been implemented (Mulville 2006 in DoD 2009) restricted and localised disturbance sociated with Defence low flying aircraft activities around Townshend Island (though significance considered to be relatively minor (O’Neill and Holmes 2000; DOD 2009) Corio Bay section disturbance to waterbirds resulting from recreational activities; including off road vehicles.
There have been no observable trends in the general landscape health of SWBTA attributable to Defence activities’. . ‘Over the wider landscape fire regimes have maintained the general status quo; with impacts only particularly evident in the vulnerable minor communities and ecosystems; riparian areas and rainforest patches in particular.
Low Within Mining and quarrying. unknown Energy production and mining Surrounding area Fire Medium Short to Altered structure composition of vegetation.
Fire Although fire is a natural component of the landscape; anthropogenic interactions with the landscape over time have led to modified natural fire regimes; and continue to alter fire regimes.
Altered fire regimes threaten vegetation communities as regeneration processes are directly impacted and often controlled by fire.
Changed fire regimes threaten terrestrial vegetation within the site; including ecologically significant vegetation communities and habitats of listed migratory species.
Potential implications may include; for example . mortality or reduced abundance of freshwater flora and fauna species due to saltwater intrusion reduced suitability of habitats for fauna due to changes in vegetation and or structural damage . landward migration of mangrove and saltmarsh wetlands . greater fire risks due to increased temperatures and reduced rainfall proliferation of invasive weeds and or feral animals better suited to new habitats . . impaired reproduction for species reliant on water or ground temperatures . gender imbalances for species reliant on temperature for sex determination of offspring coral bleaching due to increased temperatures and water acidification.
Honey blue eye change to groundwater or surface water hydrology and water quality uncontrolled fire and or access regimes introduction of exotics (none are currently present on the site).
Key threats A summary of the conclusions in regards to fauna subject to this service (and the habitat relied upon) within the site; are as follows (though see further detail in service 6) Shoalwater Bay section no significant disturbances or threats to migratory shorebirds identified minor disturbance to intertidal habitats due to human activities; restricted and localised areas of disturbance to mangrove wetlands on the western side some coastal erosion noted (though linked to natural causes) presence of weeds and feral animals noted within freshwater swamps though no significant impacts and evidence of fire damage to notable areas of peat in the central swamp on the Clinton Lowlands constitutes a significant disturbance (but presumably linked to natural causes) though recognising there is a high potential for fire (arising from adjoining dryland habitats) to result in significant damage to peat deposits within freshwater swamps during dry conditions. (Jaensch 2008a and b) presence of foxes recorded near shorebird roost sites (though abundance considered to be low and ongoing fox control program has been implemented (Mulville 2006 in DoD 2009) restricted and localised disturbance sociated with Defence low flying aircraft activities around Townshend Island (though significance considered to be relatively minor (O’Neill and Holmes 2000; DOD 2009) Corio Bay section disturbance to waterbirds resulting from recreational activities; including off road vehicles.
Drought over the last decade has likely put these habitats under increased stress but this is not related to any anthropogenic impact The site continues to support large populations of several key shorebird species (see Driscoll 1996; WIO 2006; Jaensch 2008a; Bamford et al. 2008) in the context of the flyway.
Based on discussions with the KMC as part of the current study; other potential changes to ecological character in Corio Bay and surrounds included . increased water extraction from Water Park Creek for urban use during drought conditions over the past decade that may have had impacts on downstream wetlands and wetland biota (such as fisheries) . localised decline in riparian vegetation quality and some observed mangrove dieback (though this is likely a result of drought conditions over the past decade) some decline in condition of vegetation and erosion of dunal areas from ORV usage in the site on the northern shores of Corio Bay and at Sandy Point.
Drought over the last decade has likely put these habitats under increased stress but this is not related to any anthropogenic impact The site continues to support large populations of several key shorebird species (see Driscoll 1996; WIO 2006; Jaensch 2008a; Bamford et al. 2008) in the context of the flyway.

Download