Adelaide Coastal Waters Study
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Adelaide Coastal Waters Study Consolidated Stage 2 and 3 Research Plans Prepared for Adelaide Coastal Waters Study Steering Committee Compiled by David Ellis Professor David Fox CSIRO Environmental Projects Office August 2004 Copyright © 2004 Environment Protection Authority This document may be reproduced in whole or part for the purpose of study or training, subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgment of the source and to its not being used for commercial purposes or sale. Reproduction for purposes other than those given above requires the prior written permission of the Environment Protection Authority. Limitations Statement The sole purpose of this Approved Stage 2 and 3 Research Plan prepared by CSIRO’s Environmental Projects Office (EPO) is to document and specify a scientific research and technical program to address management issues and concerns expressed by members of the Adelaide Coastal Waters Study Steering Committee, otherwise referred to as (the Study) stakeholders. Work has been carried out in accordance with the scope of services identified in the agreement dated 14 September 2002, between the Department for Environment and Heritage (‘the Client’) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). The material presented in this document has been derived from the previously prepared Final Research Requirements Report (RRR) prepared for the client by CSIRO Environmental Projects Office in February 2002 and from proposals submitted by various research individuals and organisations following technical review of the suite of research proposals and overall research program. At the time of preparation, the scope of works documented here has the endorsement of the Client, on recommendation from the Technical Review Committee. The passage of time, or impact of future events, may require further exploration and re-evaluation of the research plan and/or proposed research methods nominated in this document. This document has been prepared on behalf of and for the exclusive use of the Client, and is subject to and issued in conjunction with the provisions of the agreement between CSIRO and the Client. CSIRO accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of any use of or reliance upon this document by any third party. Adelaide Coastal Waters Study ii Consolidated Stage 2 and 3 Research Plans 27/08/2004 Foreword These consolidated Stage 2 and 3 Research Plans have been compiled by the CSIRO Environmental Projects Office, as Project Managers engaged by the South Australian Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to manage the Adelaide Coastal Waters Study (ACWS). This is a significant document that identifies the components of research, scientific investigations and data analysis deemed appropriate to address the majority of priority Stakeholder issues. With the endorsement of the ACWS Steering Committee, the Plan is the operational document for Stages 2 and 3. In compiling this document we have relied heavily on the goodwill and cooperation of the ACWS Scientific Committee and individuals and organisations submitting proposals to undertake the tasks specified in the Final Research Requirements Report. These scientists and committee members have devoted considerable time and effort to developing this detailed research plan and I would like to reiterate our gratitude for individuals’ and organisations’ efforts. The process of arriving at an approved research plan has benefited from the input and advice from the South Australian EPA and members of its Technical Review Committee. Following sign-off by the ACWS Steering Committee Executive Officer, contracts will be awarded for respective tasks. A commencement date is yet to be confirmed, however, it is anticipated that the two-year research program would commence during 2003 for implementation, synthesis and reporting during the second, third and fourth years of the Study. Professor David Fox Director Adelaide Coastal Waters Study Adelaide Coastal Waters Study iii Consolidated Stage 2 and 3 Research Plans 27/08/2004 Table of contents FOREWORD......................................................................................................................... III TABLE OF CONTENTS...................................................................................................... IV EXECUTIVE SUMMARY................................................................................................... VI INTRODUCTION TO THE ADELAIDE COASTAL WATERS STUDY.........................8 INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................................8 NEED FOR AN INTEGRATED STUDY ..........................................................................................8 STUDY STAKEHOLDERS ............................................................................................................9 STAGE 1 PROCESS....................................................................................................................10 STAGES 2 AND 3.......................................................................................................................10 THE STUDY AREA AND COASTAL SYSTEMS.............................................................11 THE STUDY AREA ....................................................................................................................11 THE CONCEPTUAL ACWS MODEL AND HYPOTHESISED SYSTEM STATUS...........................11 WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT ADELAIDE’S COASTAL SYSTEMS ..................................................16 CURRENT INFORMATION GAPS ..............................................................................................16 STUDY DESIGN AND RESEARCH PROGRAM .............................................................19 SCOPE OF THE STUDY ISSUES .................................................................................................19 STUDY OBJECTIVES.................................................................................................................20 STUDY OUTCOMES ..................................................................................................................20 THE ACWS RESEARCH PROGRAM.........................................................................................25 STAGE 2 RESEARCH TASKS .....................................................................................................25 IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM FOR STAGE 2 RESEARCH TASKS ...........................................27 OUTPUTS OF RESEARCH TASKS ..............................................................................................27 STUDY DELIVERABLES............................................................................................................28 APPENDIX A PROPOSED STAGE 2 AND 3 RESEARCH TASKS ...............................30 INPUT STUDIES IS 1 – QUANTIFICATION OF DIFFUSE, POINT SOURCE, GROUNDWATER AND ATMOSPHERIC CONTAMINANT INPUTS .....................................................................31 ECOSYSTEMS PROCESSES EP 1 - ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF INPUTS TO THE ADELAIDE COASTAL WATERS ON SEAGRASS ECOSYSTEMS AND KEY BIOTA..........58 REMOTE SENSING RS 1 - REMOTE SENSING STUDY OF MARINE AND COASTAL FEATURES AND INTERPRETATION OF CHANGES IN RELATION TO NATURAL AND ANTHROPOGENIC PROCESSES ...................................................................................76 PHYSICAL PROCESSES AND MODELLING PPM 1 COASTAL SEDIMENT BUDGET .................90 PHYSICAL PROCESSES AND MODELLING PPM 2 - PHYSICAL – ECOLOGICAL STUDIES IN THE ADELAIDE COASTAL WATERS USING HIGH RESOLUTION MODELLING, IN-SITU OBSERVATIONS AND SATELLITE TECHNIQUES .........................................................99 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING PROGRAM EMP 1............................................................119 DEVELOPMENT OF ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK AMF 1.................................125 DEVELOPMENT OF DECISION-SUPPORT TOOLS FOR MANAGEMENT ACWS DST ............126 DST MM 1 - DEVELOPMENT OF A COARSE RESOLUTION MANAGEMENT MODEL FOR THE ADELAIDE COASTAL WATERS..................................................................................127 DST DB 1 - ADELAIDE COASTAL WATERS STUDY DATABASE AND SPATIAL INFORMATION SYSTEM .....................................................................................................................130 Adelaide Coastal Waters Study iv Consolidated Stage 2 and 3 Research Plans 27/08/2004 APPENDIX B ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO SUPPORT RESEARCH PROGRAM ................................................................................................................................................132 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF PUBLICATIONS AND REPORTS RELEVANT TO TASK EP 1...................132 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF REFERENCES RELEVANT TO TASK PPM 1 ..........................................151 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF REFERENCES AND INFORMATION RELEVANT TO TASK PPM 2..........158 Adelaide Coastal Waters Study v Consolidated Stage 2 and 3 Research Plans 27/08/2004 Executive summary ‘Clean water, diverse aquatic ecosystems and sandy beaches’ This simple statement articulates a vision for Adelaide’s metropolitan coastline. The Adelaide Coastal Waters Study (ACWS) was first conceived and subsequently scoped during the middle to late 1990s. Building on previous efforts and research, we are now on the verge of seeing this vision become a reality. This important report documents the essential research tasks that will enable the region’s managers to identify and implement