Community Based Monitoring of NRM North Coastal Saltmarshes Review

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Community Based Monitoring of NRM North Coastal Saltmarshes Review Community Based Monitoring of NRM North Coastal Saltmarshes Review Paper August 2014 By Vishnu Prahalad University of Tasmania Background to the review This review paper forms part of the project titled Steps to Saltmarsh Conservation in Northern Tasmania 2014. The project aims to increase understanding of temperate saltmarsh communities in Northern Tasmania, for planning and management (Stage 1), and to enable community-based monitoring of Tasmanian saltmarshes through the provision of monitoring and information materials (Stage 2). The project steps, outputs and the two stage process have been depicted in the diagram below: This review paper (highlighted in bold letters in the above diagram) forms a critical component of the preliminary research (Stage 1) required to progress the community engagement aspects (Stage 2), particularly the forthcoming saltmarsh monitoring toolkit – a series of monitoring guide sheets for community groups and individuals (including land owners) to monitor saltmarshes. Key stakeholders from the scientific community engaged in saltmarsh related research (identified below) have been communicated with to develop this review paper. It is expected that this engagement will be ongoing and the review paper will generate some discussion and highlight research needs for better understanding and management of Tasmanian saltmarshes. Name Institution Expertise/Interest Dr Jamie Kirkpatrick University of Tasmania Plants, ecosystem Dr Richard Schahinger Tasmanian DPIPWE Plants Dr Peter McQuillan University of Tasmania Insects, spiders, frogs John Aalders University of Tasmania Insects, spiders, soil Dr Alastair Richardson University of Tasmania Crabs, snails, fish Dr Peter Davies University of Tasmania Fish Dr Eric Woehler BirdLife Australia Birds Chris Sharples University of Tasmania Geomorphology Nick Bowden University of Tasmania Shoreline monitoring Dr Arko Lucieer University of Tasmania Remote sensing Josh Kelcey University of Tasmania Remote sensing Yoav Bar-Ness Outreach Ecology Citizen science Emma Williams NRM North NRM Kaylene Allen Friends of PWOL NRM Lyndel Wilson NRM South NRM Acknowledgements of other contributions Violet Harrison-Day (University of Tasmania), for contribution to Appendix 1 on vascular plant monitoring. Chris Sharples (UTAS), for contribution to Appendix 2 on geomorphic monitoring. John Aalders (UTAS), for contribution to Appendix 3 on spiders and beetles monitoring. Adelina Latinovic (UTAS), for contribution to Appendix 4 on bird monitoring. Michael Helman (Visual Science) developed the Tasmanian Saltmarsh Components and Processes conceptual diagram and the Tasmanian Saltmarsh Monitoring – Conceptual Framework illustration. All photos used in this paper are by the author, Vishnu Prahalad. Report author and contact details Vishnu Prahalad, Discipline of Geography and Spatial Science, School of Land and Food, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 78 Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia vishnu. [email protected] Disclaimer NRM North use reasonable means to verify the validity and accuracy of the data contained herein at the date of this publication, however to the extent allowed by law, it does not warrant or represent that the data will be correct, current, fit/suitable for a particular purpose or not-misleading. NRM North, and all persons acting on their behalf preparing data that has been used in this report, accept no liability for the accuracy of or inferences from material contained in this publication, or for action as a result of any person’s or group’s interpretation, deductions, conclusions or actions in relying on this material. Contents Background to the review .................................................................................................... 3 Contents ....................................................................................................................................... 5 Coastal saltmarsh wetlands ................................................................................................. 7 Definition and distribution .................................................................................................. 7 Saltmarsh life forms and processes (adapted from Mount et al., 2010) ..... 9 Community-based monitoring .......................................................................................... 13 Bio-physical indicators of saltmarsh health ................................................................ 16 Level 1: Plants and microbes .......................................................................................... 16 Vascular plants (‘higher plants’) ........................................................................................... 16 Microorganisms and nuisance algae .................................................................................... 21 Level 0: Geomorphology and edaphic (soil) factors ............................................ 22 Geomorphic indicators of saltmarsh stability .................................................................... 22 Shoreline movement – positional change due to erosion or accretion ..................... 23 Edaphic factors ........................................................................................................................... 25 Level 2: Invertebrates ........................................................................................................ 27 Crustaceans and molluscs ...................................................................................................... 27 Insects and spiders (written by P. McQuillan) .................................................................. 28 Level 3: Vertebrates (ex: humans) .............................................................................. 30 Native mammals and introduced rabbits ........................................................................... 30 Birds .............................................................................................................................................. 31 Fish ................................................................................................................................................ 33 Level 4: Human interactions ............................................................................................ 34 Detrimental human impacts ................................................................................................... 34 Wise use of saltmarshes ......................................................................................................... 36 Level 5: Global change factors ....................................................................................... 36 Flooding regime and sea level rise....................................................................................... 36 Climate, rainfall, wind conditions ......................................................................................... 37 Concluding recommendations ........................................................................................... 37 5 | P a g e Background Resources ........................................................................................................ 38 Appendix 1: Vascular plants of Tasmanian saltmarshes (database by Violet Harrison-Day) ............................................................................................................. 44 Appendix 2: Shoreline Geomorphology – Identifying and Mapping of Geomorphic Facies for Saltmarsh Monitoring (authored by Chris Sharples) ................................................................................................................................... 55 Appendix 3: Spiders and beetles of a Tasmanian saltmarsh (database by John Aalders) ........................................................................................................................... 68 Appendix 4: Birds of Tasmanian saltmarshes (database by Adelina Latinovic)................................................................................................................................... 70 6 | P a g e Coastal saltmarsh wetlands Definition and distribution In Tasmania, saltmarshes are formally defined and mapped by their vegetation communities as outlined by the Tasmanian Vegetation Monitoring and Mapping Program (TASVEG, available through www.thelist.tas.gov.au). Tasmanian coastal saltmarshes include two major community types (defined below) and are closely associated with wetlands, commonly grouped as saltmarsh and wetland, and are classified as non-forest vegetation community types (Table 1). This excludes ‘swamps’ and ‘wet heath’ which are dominated by trees and woody shrubs, and only includes ‘marshes’ dominated by herbs, succulent shrubs and graminoids (grasses, sedges and rushes). TASVEG also excludes marine habitats such as seagrass and rocky reef that occur below the mean high tide mark often as a continuum of habitats with saltmarshes (Mount et al., 2010). These seabed habitat types are mapped by SeaMap Tasmania (available through seamap.imas.utas.edu.au). Table 1. Tasmanian Vegetation Monitoring and Mapping Program (TASVEG) non-forest vegetation community types representing saltmarsh and wetland. Two saltmarsh community types ASS and ARS are identified in bold letters. TASVEG Community Code, Name Water Influence Dominant Plant Form Salinity AHF Permanent or Dominated by herbs, Fresh semi-permanent sedges (Eleocharis) Freshwater Aquatic Herbland AHL Intermittent and Dominated by herbs, Fresh to episodic
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