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ECY Report 2017. Final Report: East Cape York Shoreline Environmental Surveys.

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ECY Report 2017 East Cape York shoreline environmental surveys 2017

Report Brief with Site Summary Sheets

Norman C Duke & Jock Mackenzie

Report No. 17/67

9 Feb 2018

Page i ECY Report Brief 2017 – TropWATER Report no. 17/67

East Cape York shoreline environmental surveys 2017

Report Brief to the Commonwealth of Australia Approach to Market

Reference ID: 3600000731

This Approach to Market (ATM) is for the provision of: technical scientific research, analysis and advice into the health and condition of mangrove ecosystems in the northern Great Barrier Reef region.

TropWATER Report No. 17/67 9 Feb 2018

Prepared by Norman C Duke & Jock Mackenzie

Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, TropWATER James Cook University Townsville Phone : (07) 4781 4262 Email: [email protected] Web: www.jcu.edu.au/tropwater/

Page ii ECY Report 2017 – TropWATER Report no. 17/67

This report should be cited as:

Duke N.C., Mackenzie J. (2018) ‘ECY Report 2017’ Final Report: East Cape York Shoreline Environmental Surveys. Report to the Commonwealth of Australia. Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) Publication 17/67, James Cook University, Townsville, 145 pp.

This report has been produced for the Commonwealth of Australia Approach to Market. The study was undertaken through a Consultancy Agreement (Reference ID: 3600000731) between the Commonwealth of Australia and James Cook University (JCU) for the provision of technical scientific research, analysis and advice into the health and condition of mangrove ecosystems in the northern Great Barrier Reef region.

This publication has been compiled by the Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), JCU.

Copyright © 2018 James Cook University.

Disclaimer: Except as permitted by the Copyright Act 1968, no part of the work may in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or any other means be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or be broadcast or transmitted without the prior written permission of JCU TropWATER Centre. This document has been prepared with all due diligence and care, based on the best available information at the time of publication, without peer review, and the information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The copyright owners shall not be liable for technical or other errors or omissions contained within the document. The reader/user accepts all risks and responsibility for losses, damages, costs and other consequences resulting directly or indirectly from using this information. Any decisions made by other parties based on this document are solely the responsibility of those parties. Information contained in this document is from a number of sources and, as such, does not necessarily represent the policies of JCU.

Enquiries about reproduction, including downloading or printing the web version, should be directed to [email protected].

For further information on the content, contact: Dr Norman Duke, Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER) James Cook University E: [email protected] James Cook Drive, ATSIP Building, James Cook University Qld 4811 www.jcu.edu.au/TropWATER

Page iii ECY Report 2017 – TropWATER Report no. 17/67

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land and sea country over which we flew and pay respect to their Elders – past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the important role these Traditional land and sea country custodians continue to play in protecting the cultural, natural and other values of tidal wetlands along the East Coast of Cape York.

Eastern Kuku Yalanji Mowbray, Daintree, Cooper Creek, Bloomfield, Bauer

Yuku Baja Muliku Walker Bay, Annan River

Walmbarra Endeavour River

Gamaay People – Hopevale Congress McIvor – Cape Flattery (not Starcke)

Mutumui and Guugu-Yimidhhirr, people Jeannie

Junyju-warra Starcke

Lama Lama Bizant and North Kennedy

Lama lama, Kuuku-yani, Umbindhamu and Ayapathu people Stewart River

The Kaanju, Uutaalnganu, Umpila and Kuuku-yani people Lockhart River

Kuuku Ya’u Claudie, Hunter Inlet

Kuuku Ya’u, Kaanju and Umpila people Pascoe

Wuthati Hunter, Olive, Harmer

Yaddhaigana and Wuthahti people Escape and Jacky Jacky

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. This Report documents the status and major findings of the East Cape York shoreline aerial surveys lead by Dr Norm Duke and Jock Mackenzie from James Cook University (JCU) TropWATER Centre MangroveWatch Hub.

2. Aerial surveys were successfully undertaken as proposed. Survey works were achieved over 7 days between 29 May and 4 June 2017. During this time, a total time of 31.5 hours was spent on the survey acquiring specific shoreline imagery for the record and for later assessment. Observations and filming were undertaken along the far north-eastern section of the Australian shoreline using a R44 helicopter flying at an altitude of around 150 metres. The survey covered a distance of nearly 1,500 km of the Australian mainland east coast of Cape York Peninsula from just north of Cairns to the tip of Cape York; representing around 25% of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park mainland shoreline.

3. The aim of this shoreline survey was to systematically record and investigate the condition of shorelines, the mangrove vegetation, and the health of tidal wetlands in all the major estuarine systems.

4. A key outcome of the aerial survey is a baseline database or library of 52,187 geotagged oblique images covering every metre of shoreline plus a series of inland profiles extending to the upper limits of tidal inundation in 49 estuarine outlets. The number of images were roughly equal in number for shorelines (~26,653 images), and those taken on inland profiles (~25,534 images). The complete set of imagery are available for further evaluation by interested specialists who are encouraged to add further systematic search criteria, and to evaluate change in future surveys.

5. Detailed observations of current drivers of change and severity of impacts were scored at 28 major estuarine sites, from south to north including: Mowbray River, Dickson Inlet area, Daintree River, Coopers Creek area, Bloomfield River, Bauer Creek area, Walker Bay area, Annan River, Endeavour River, McIvor River, Starcke River area, Jeannie River, Muck River area, four Princess Charlotte Bay estuaries (see Note), Stewart River, Nesbit River, Lockhart River, Claudie River, Pascoe River, Hunter Inlet, Olive River, Macmillan River, Harmer River, Escape River and Jacky Jacky Creek. [Note: Marrett, Normanby, Bizant & North Kennedy Rivers in Princess Charlotte Bay were surveyed in 2015 as part of the Reef Rescue MangroveWatch eastern Normanby Basin with Kalpowar Land Trust (Mackenzie & Duke 2016)]

6. The current shoreline and estuarine evaluations identified 33 tidal wetland and shoreline habitat issues: some were associated with rising sea levels, severe and frequent storms, while others resulted from feral animals plus other seemingly uncontrolled but damaging local land management practices. Issues were divided into direct and indirect human causes, plus others not obviously related to human activities (for the most part, ‘natural’ causes). The most notable and dominant issue was shoreline retreat, coupled with landward transgressions of saline water and tidal wetland vegetation.

7. A useful outcome has been to report on previously unrecognised notable impacts on shoreline habitats along this north-eastern section of the Queensland coast. These include: a) localised impacts like severe damage to 400- 600 ha of mangroves most likely caused by Tropical Cyclones ‘Ita’ in 2014 and ‘Nathan’ in 2015 near to the Starcke River, and notable damage and impoundment of around 100 ha of mangroves most likely caused by Tropical

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Cyclones ‘22P’ in 2005 and/or ‘Monica’ in 2006 near to and including Night Island just north of the Nesbit River; b) generalised severe impacts like terrestrial retreat and shoreline erosion that increased from southern to northern estuaries and respective sections of shoreline – consistent with an increasing trend northward in recorded rates of sea level rise.

8. Such incidents are indicative of the state, condition and health of shorelines, and these data were used to quantify dominant environmental drivers. A robust and pragmatic classification system developed by Duke and Mackenzie (this report) quantifies ongoing and emerging environmental issues, including: impacts by feral pigs; shoreline erosion and deterioration; and landward transgression associated with saline encroachment. These are considered emerging dominant environmental issues. Such occurrences are considered to be consequences of shoreline ecosystem responses to global climate change, particularly rising sea levels.

9. These data provide overall information on condition and severe changes taking place in critical northern GBR shoreline ecosystems. Accordingly, habitat condition have been linked to specific drivers of change. This information is necessary for guiding and directing well- informed, local and national management priorities by targeting specific and identifiable issues, their severity, and their likely causes. The findings of this survey compliment pre- existing, on-going and future resource assessments of shoreline environments and intertidal wetland habitats.

10. This survey provides the first continuous recording of oblique views showing every metre of coastal shorelines of north-eastern Cape York Peninsula - as a working database of 52,187 high resolution images. This record is a lasting primary reference for baseline visual characterisations up to and after May-June 2017.

Figure 1. Aerial surveys were conducted over 6 days during May -June 2017 tracking around 1,500 km along the complete mainland shoreline and up to 49 river estuaries along Australia’s north east coast.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 5 1 INTRODUCTION ...... 8 2 BACKGROUND ...... 10 Statement of Requirements 3 METHODS ...... 11 3.1 Study Area and Survey ...... 11 Helicopter Aerial Survey Ground Validation Mapping and Reporting Mangrove Species Records Shoreline Assessment 3.2 Drivers of Change, Assessment Criteria and Codes Used...... 18 Estuarine Sites Shoreline Assessment Drivers Affecting Condition of Mangroves, Tidal Wetlands and Shorelines Drivers Dominated by Human Influences Drivers Influenced by Climate and Other Natural Influences 4 RESULTS ...... 38 4.1 Estuarine Sites ...... 39 Overall Impacts Direct Human Impacted Sites Climate-Natural Impacted Sites Human versus Climate-Natural Impacts Site Descriptions and Summary Sheets 4.2 Shoreline Condition Assessment ...... 127 Summary of Impacts Feature Impacts 5 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 5.1 Likely Causes of Impacts ...... 130 Estuarine Condition Assessments Shoreline Condition Assessments 5.2 Recommendations ...... 132 A National Mitigation and Monitoring Strategy Further Assessment of Estuarine and Shoreline Data Sets 5.3 Final Points of Clarification ...... 134 6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...... 136 7 REFERENCES...... 137 8 APPENDICES...... 139

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SITE SUMMARY SHEETS (Report Cards)

Below are compiled the 24 Site Summary Sheets scored during the survey along with maps showing locations, plus grouped condition measures.

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Table A. Location coordinates of 28 estuarine sites surveyed in the East Cape York study area. Grouped sites are those used in this report. Site locations marked with * are reported in greater detail in Mackenzie & Duke (2016). Mangrove species records from Duke (2006, 2016) are considered minimal (Appendix 4).

Site Site ECY Survey Latitude Longitude Mangrove Group # Locations S E Spp. Nos. 1 1 Mowbray River -16.55 145.49 2 Dickson Inlet area -16.49 145.46 8+ 3 Daintree River -16.28 145.45 33 4 Coopers-Noah area -16.19 145.43 21 5 Bloomfield River -15.92 145.36 21 6 Bauer Creek area -15.87 145.36 7 Walker Bay area -15.56 145.30 8 Annan River -15.53 145.26 22 9 Endeavour River -15.46 145.23 31 2 10 McIvor/ Morgan River -15.14 145.23 31 11 Starcke River area -14.83 145.09 12 Jeannie River -14.66 144.93 16 13 Muck River area -14.32 144.32 3 14 Marrett River * -14.38 144.17 20 15 Normanby River * -14.41 144.14 21 16 Bizant River * -14.48 144.03 17 North Kennedy River * -14.50 143.94 18 4 18 Stewart River -14.09 143.67 14 19 Nesbit River -13.56 143.57 23 20 Lockhart River area -12.90 143.37 31 5 21 Claudie River -12.84 143.36 28 22 Pascoe River -12.50 143.27 28 23 Hunter Inlet -12.36 143.12 24 Olive River -12.16 143.09 28 25 MacMillan River -11.98 143.17 17 26 Harmer River -11.91 142.96 22 27 Escape River -10.88 142.54 27 28 Jacky Jacky Creek -10.96 142.71 28

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Figure B. Locations of the 28 estuarine and tidal wetland areas surveyed in North eastern Queensland.

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Figure C. Comparison of major impacts of human (red) and climate-natural (green) drivers for the five groupings of regional areas based on 28 Estuarine sites (Fig. B).

Page ix East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 1. Mowbray River 16°32'47.776"S , 145°29'20.601"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 24 Cumulative Threat Score: 4.8 Threat to tidal wetlands: Low

Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape 2 York 4 1 5 Agricultural 1.2 1 16 One old vehicle track 1 Restore vegetated Incentivise Encroachment observed across buffer zones estuary buffer saltpan between zone agricultural land rehabilitation and tidal wetlands.

3 Vehicles 0.6 4 11 Vehicle damage to 1 Improve Improve saltflats and tidal management of policing and habitats surrounding estuary access enforcement estuary access points points – controlled of vehicle access. damage. Altered 0.8 3 9 Combined effects of 3 Remove/ improve hydrology road and sand road to restore tidal movement from TC flow. Investigate Yasi restricting tidal potential to restore flow in back-swamp tidal flow at beach. mangrove area at Catchment Size: 12, 948 ha Yule Point. 4 Issue Photo Point Tidal Wetland Area: 302 ha Bank Erosion Fallen mangroves Restore estuary Incentivise Mangrove: 293 ha 1 2 2 2 and exposed banks in buffer zones and estuary buffer Saltmarsh: 9 ha mid-upper estuary, riparian vegetation. zone Wetland Cover Index: 0.97 particularly where Undertake active rehabilitation River Length: 46 km buffer zone has been erosion mitigation Estuary Length: 3.1 km removed. using a living Estuary Size: 26 ha shoreline approach. Annual Rainfall: 1934 mm Catchment Landuse Root Burial 0.8 3 6 Dead mangroves in 3 National Nature Conservation, Other low intertidal Climate minimal use, Grazing, downstream Change Policy Cropping. mangroves on southern bank.

Other Observations: Depositional gain from catchment sediment runoff. Many large crocodiles.

2. Agricultural Encroachment 3. Altered Hydrology 4. Vehicle Access 5. Root Burial

1. Bank Erosion East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 2. Dickson Inlet 16°29'1.442"S, 145°27'32.728"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 16 Cumulative Threat Score: 7

5 Threat to tidal wetlands: Moderate

Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response 4 Threat Frame Local Regional National 3 Score Estuary East Cape York

1 Vehicle Damage 0.8 2 11 Recent vehicle 2 - 4 Restrict access to Improve tracks, abandoned saltmarsh areas. education on 2 vehicles. Present in Increase local saltmarsh larger saltpan areas. patrols and values. monitoring. Increase local 1 stewardship. Agricultural 0.8 2 16 Historical loss of 1 Enhance tidal Improved Encroachment tidal wetlands. No wetland buffer policing of buffer zones along zones for sea level agricultural terrestrial margins. rise resilience. encroachment Altered 1.6 1 9 Cane drains 1 Restore local Hydrology 1 associated with hydrology. Water dead and dying quality monitoring mangroves. in drains. Catchment Size: 4,465 ha Altered 0.8 2 19 Barriers to tidal and 1 Remove barriers to Tidal Wetland Area: 1,316 ha Hydrology 2 freshwater flow tidal flow where 4 Issue Photo Point Mangrove: 1,103 ha including roads, possible, Wetlands Saltmarsh: 213 ha aquaculture ponds particularly road Wetland Cover Index: 0.84 and refuse station. culverts. River Length: 10.7 km Mangrove dieback Estuary Length: 5.9 km observed. Estuary Size: 59 ha Light Gaps Circular gaps in Natural Annual Rainfall: 2144 mm 0.8 2 7 2 fringing Rhizophora regeneration in Catchment Landuse mangroves. process. Catchment Area Residential, Services, Other minimal use. Root Burial Very small patches National 1a. Altered Hydrology 0.8 2 6 2 2a. Vehicle Damage of dead trees in climate fringing mangroves change mitigation

Other Issues Observed: Abandoned vessels, Nutrient Point Sources, Chemical Leachate, Ecotone Shift - negative

3. Agricultural Encroachment 4. Root Burial 5. Light Gaps

2b. Vehicle Damage

1b. Altered Hydrology East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 3. Daintree River 16°17'16.016"S , 145°27'9.14"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 17 2 3 Cumulative Threat Score: 6.8 Threat to tidal wetlands: Moderate 5

Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape York 4 Cattle 0.6 3 10 Cattle impacting 1 Fencing and 1 fringing mangroves watering points to and tidal areas in prevent cattle upper estuary access. 1

Agricultural 1.6 1 16 Recent and historical 1 Establish buffer Improved Encroachment tidal and other zones along tidal policing of wetland loss in upper wetland margins. agricultural South Arm encroachment Altered 1.6 1 9 Drains in South Arm 1 Restore local Hydrology 1 tidal wetland area hydrology. Natural causing large-scale regeneration impact. observed. Altered 0.6 3 19 Barriers to tidal and 1 Restore hydrology. Catchment Size: 144,681 ha Hydrology 2 freshwater flow from Install better Tidal Wetland Area: 1,316 ha farm roads in upper culverts. Mangrove: 1,103 ha and lower estuary. Saltmarsh: 213 ha Wetland Cover Index: 0.84 Altered 0.6 3 20 Recent rock-wall 2 Natural recruitment River Length: 120 km Hydrodynamics construction causing occurring Estuary Length: 17.2 km displaced erosion Estuary Size: 706 ha impacting mangroves. Annual Rainfall: 3208 mm Bank Erosion 1 2 2 Extensive estuary 2 Restore estuary Develop Catchment Landuse shoreline erosion. margin vegetation policy Nature conservation, Causing loss of and enhance protecting Managed Resource, Grazing mangrove habitat estuary buffer estuary and threatening zones. Limit cattle margins and infrastructure. access. buffer zones. Exacerbated by cattle access upstream. Other Issues Observed: Light gaps, Weeds

1. Altered Hydrology 2. Bank Erosion 3. Cattle 4. Agricultural Encroachment 5. Altered Hydrodynamics East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 4. Cooper & Hutchison Ck 16°10'34.598"S, 145°26'15.748"E

Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 26 4 3 Cumulative Threat Score: 3.6 Threat to tidal wetlands: Very Low Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape York Pigs 0.6 2 5 Pigs, tracks and 1 Fencing and animal Increased Research diggings in upper control. Of high coastal feral feral pig 5 intertidal margins importance to pig control control and palustrine maximise wetland along Cape strategies wetlands of resilience. York Hutchison Creek. Ecotone Shift - 1.2 1 4 Patches of dead 3 Reduce impacts National Negative mangroves (Ceriops from feral pigs. Climate and Rhizophora) at Change Policy upper intertidal margins 1 Terrestrial 0.6 2 1 Dead Melaleauca at 2 Reduce impacts National Retreat upper intertidal from feral pigs. Climate 2 margins. Change Policy

Catchment Size: 7,557 ha Root Burial 0.6 2 6 Dead mangroves at 3 Tidal Wetland Area: 706 ha estuary mouth from Mangrove: 681 ha past sand movement. Saltmarsh: 24 ha Wetland Cover Index: 0.97 Shoreline 0.6 2 8 Fallen mangroves and 3 Local erosion National River Length: 16 km Erosion other vegetation at control works Climate Estuary Length: 3.1 km estuary mouth. Change Policy Estuary Size: 46 ha Annual Rainfall: 3818 mm Catchment Landuse Nature conservation, Other Other Observations: Pressure on upper intertidal wetland margins from pigs and climate change is greater than impacts to tidal wetlands. minimal use, Residential 1. Pigs 2. Ecotone Shift 3. Terrestrial Retreat

4. Root Burial

5. Shoreline Erosion East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 5. Bloomfield River 15°55'15.834"S , 145°21'39.203"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 25 Cumulative Threat Score: 4 Threat to tidal wetlands: Very Low

Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response 6 Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape 5 York Mangrove 0.8 2 14 Minor mangrove 3 -4 Limit number of Clearing removal for private private boat ramps boat ramps and and improve estuary access controlled access to estuary Mangrove Mangrove trimming Ensure trimming 1 0.4 2 25 2 2 Trimming for powerline impacts to crossings mangroves remain 3 1 4 limited. No Buffer Zone 0.4 2 26 No buffer zone 3 Establish vegetated Incentivise between agriculture buffer zones buffer zone and urban landuse in revegetation mid-estuary Altered 0.4 2 20 Road and rock wall in 2 Natural recruitment Hydrodynamics mid-estuary occurring. Potential Catchment Size: 47,411 ha sites for managed Tidal Wetland Area: 122 ha mangrove planting. Mangrove: 120 ha Saltmarsh: 2 ha Wetland Cover Index: 0.99 Altered 0.6 1 10 Very old (>50yrs) road 4 Investigate impacts River Length: 56 km Hydrology disrupting tidal flow on hydrology and Estuary Length: 5.2 km in lower north sea level rise Estuary Size: 42 ha mangrove area. resilience Annual Rainfall: 2512 mm Storm Damage Dead mangroves at National Catchment Landuse 0.4 2 3 3 estuary mouth. Climate Managed Resource Protection, Change Policy Nature Conservation, Grazing 1a. Clearing Other Observations: Abandoned vessel, Nutrient Point Source – STP, Earthworks and sediment runoff, Vehicle access to beach exacerbating erosion, Weir 2. Trimming/Clearing 3. No Buffer Zone 4. Altered Hydrodynamics 6. Altered Hydrology - Road

1b. Clearing 5. Minor Storm Damage East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 6. Bauer Inlet & Fritz Ck 15°52'32.212"S , 145°21'39.887"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 19 Cumulative Threat Score: 6.4 Threat to tidal wetlands: Low

Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape York 1 3 Pigs 0.8 3 5 Rutting in small area 1 Fencing and animal Increased Research of upper intertidal control to maximise coastal feral feral pig and palustrine wetland resilience. pig control for control wetlands. Cape York strategies Cattle 0.4 4 9 Cattle observed 1 Fencing to restrict Incentivise eating mangroves, cattle access to restricing damage to palustrine maximise wetland cattle access wetlands resilience. to wetland areas Altered 1.6 1 10 Past modification of 3 Reduce other Hydrology - estuary mouth impacts from cattle 4 Natural causing change. and pigs.

2 Ecotone Shift - 0.8 3 4 Old dead mangroves 3 Negative at saltmarsh- mangrove interface Catchment Size: 8, 223 ha due to past dry Tidal Wetland Area: 225 ha conditions. 4 Issue Photo Point Mangrove: 201 ha Mangrove Young mangrove Reduce other National Saltmarsh: 24 ha 0.8 3 18 1 Encroachment trees expanding into impacts from cattle Climate Wetland Cover Index: 0.89 saltmarsh and and pigs. Establish Change Policy River Length: 24 km palustrine wetlands. upland migration Estuary Length: 2.6 km buffer zones. Estuary Size: 46 ha Annual Rainfall: 2512 mm Terrestrial 1.2 2 1 Melaleauca dieback 1 Reduce other National Catchment Landuse Retreat at intertidal margins. impacts from cattle Climate Nature Conservation, Other Progressive retreat. and pigs. Establish Change Policy minimal use, Grazing upland migration buffer zones. 2. Terrestrial Retreat Other Observations: Light gaps, Bank erosion, GDE with Potential impacts to groundwater flow, Road along adjacent beach may increase erosion risk. 3. Cattle 4. Mangrove Encroachment

1. Pigs East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 7. Walker Bay 15°33'31.77"S, 145°17'53.175"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 27 Cumulative Threat Score: 3.2 Threat to tidal wetlands: Very Low

Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape York Cattle 1.2 1 6 Cattle and tracks on 1 Restrict cattle Incentivise saltpans access to tidal areas managing cattle tidal wetland access

Ecotone Shift - 1.2 1 4 Mangroves dead at 2 Improve resilience National negative saltpan margins. to climate climate Rhizophora, Ceriops variability through change & Avicennia cattle and vehicle mitigation impacted. access management. Storm Damage 0.4 2 3 Inner fringe collapse 3 National in shoreline forest. climate change Catchment Size: 1207 ha mitigation Tidal Wetland Area: 80 ha 4 Issue Photo Point Mangrove: 56 ha Vehicle Damage 0.4 2 11 One older track 3 Restrict future Improve Wetlands Saltmarsh: 24 ha observed across vehicle access. monitoring Wetland Cover Index: 0.70 saltflats. Install information and River Length: 4.6 km signs at access enforcement Estuary Length: 1 km points. of vehicle Estuary Size: 0.8 ha damage to Annual Rainfall: 1841 mm tidal wetlands Catchment Landuse Other Observations: Mangrove encroachment into saltmarsh and terrestrial habitats, upland zonal shift of Rhizophora and terrestrial retreat Managed Resource Protection indicative of sea level rise. No pond apple observed. Catchment Area Nature Conservation

1. Cattle 2. Ecotone shift, Zonal shift & Mangrove encroachment 3. Storm Damage 4. Old vehicle damage East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 8. Annan River 15°31'49.63"S145°16'15.409"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 1 Cumulative Threat Score: 12.8 1 2 4 Threat to tidal wetlands: Very High 3 6 Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape York Vehicles 1.4 4 12 Many vehicle tracks 2 Restrict vehicle and abandoned access to saltmarsh vehicle on southern areas side. Pigs 2.1 2 5 Pigs, tracks and 1 Fencing and animal Increased Research wallows throughout control. Of high coastal feral feral pig tidal wetland and importance to pig control control 5 adjacent habitats maximise wetland along Cape strategies resilience. York Altered 2.6 1 10 Abandoned 1-3 Restore Hydrology aquaculture ponds hydrological flows. and roads restricting tidal and freshwater flows. Ecotone Shift - 1.8 3 4 Dead mangroves at 1-4 Reduce impacts Catchment Size: 105,689 ha Negative saltmarsh margins. from vehicles, pigs Tidal Wetland Area: 1580 ha and altered 4 Issue Photo Point Mangrove: 1430 ha hydrology Saltmarsh: 150 ha Terrestrial Dead Melaleucas and Reduce impacts National Wetland Cover Index: 0.91 1.2 5 1 2 Retreat erosion head from vehicles, pigs, Climate River Length: 58 km formation at cattle and altered Change Policy Estuary Length: 11.3 km terrestrial interface. hydrology Estuary Size: 59 ha Annual Rainfall: 1879 mm Unexplained 0.8 6 20 Stand of dead Investigate cause of Catchment Landuse Dieback Rhizophora in mid- dieback Grazing, Nature Conservation, estuary. Possibly Managed Resource Protection. associated with 2. Terrestrial Retreat pollution from 1. Pigs aquaculture facility. Other Observations: Cattle, Storm damage, Minor mangrove clearing, Mangrove trimming, Surface erosion, Gully head erosion, Ecotone Shift – positive,. Unexplained dieback – potential pollution hazard near abandoned aquaculture ponds. Many crocodiles.

3. Altered Hydrology 4. Ecotone Shift - Negative 5. Vehicles East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 9. Endeavour River 15°27'39.267"S, 145°14'45.276"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 5 Cumulative Threat Score: 11.4 Threat to tidal wetlands: Very High

Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape York Upstream Bank 1.8 1 2 Mostly present in 1.5 Adopt living Incentivise National Erosion mid-estuary on shoreline shoreline living Climate southern bank. Likely stabilizationand shoreline Change Policy 1 to be exacerbated protection strategies for with sea level rise. strategies landholders 4 Vehicles 1.5 2 11 Vehicle tracks 3.5 Restrict vehicle Improve present in saltmarsh access enforcement 5 areas on south side. of marine Many access points. plant damage 3 Creating a coastal by vehicles. 2 squeeze issue. Altered 1.2 3 13 Historical bund walls 4 Investigate further Hydrology present on south side restoration with ongoing opportunities to impacts. Impact will restore natural tidal Catchment Size: 104,698 ha increase with sea flows. Tidal Wetland Area: 1549 ha level rise. Mangrove: 1544 ha Storm Damage Crown damage and National 4 Issue Photo Point 1.5 2 15 3 Saltmarsh: 5 ha* fallen trees in lower Climate Wetland Cover Index: 1* and mid estuary. Change Policy River Length: 130 km Estuary Length: 18.1 km Mangrove 1 4 17 Historical and recent 4 Maintain Estuary Size: 280 ha Clearing/ removal evident in existing no- Annual Rainfall: 1783 mm Removal lower estuary. net loss policy. Catchment Landuse Ongoing trimming. Managed Resource Protection, Grazing, Nature Conservation, Other Observations: Pigs damaging lacustrine wetland areas. Many abandoned sunken vessels in the lower estuary. Residential. *Little estuarine saltmarsh habitat mapped for this area, but larger areas of saltmarsh and saltpan were evident during surveys.

5. Mangrove Removal

1. Bank Erosion 2. Vehicle Damage 3. Altered Hydrology 4. Storm Damage East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 10. McIvor River 15°8'22.075"S, 145°14'7.623"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 23 Cumulative Threat Score: 5.4 Threat to tidal wetlands: Low

Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape York Root Burial 0.8 2 1 Dead Melaleucas 2 National along shoreline at Climate estuary mouth, and Change Policy 6 3 some dead mangrove 5 2 upstream. 4 Terrestrial 0.8 2 5 Dead Melaleucas 1 Restrict cattle National Retreat along terrestrial grazing and cattle Climate margins access in affected Change Policy areas. 1 Light Gaps 0.6 3 4 Many in mid and 1-4 upper estuary.

Storm Damage 1.6 1 10 Crown damage in 1-3 National mid estuary. Climate Change Policy Catchment Size: 56,410 ha Estuary bank 0.8 2 12 Eroding banks and 2 National Tidal Wetland Area: 333 ha Erosion fallen trees at mouth Climate 4 Issue Photo Point Mangrove: 333 ha and in upper estuary. Change Policy Saltmarsh: 0* ha Wetland Cover Index: 1 6. Cattle Damage River Length: 62 km Other Observations: Cattle impacting the few saltmarsh and saline wetland areas. Inner Estuary Length: 12.6 km fringe collapse. Mangrove encroachment into saltmarsh and wetlands. The McIvor estuary is Estuary Size: 111 ha the only location of unique Sonneratia hybrid between S. caseolaris and S. gulngai, making Annual Rainfall: 1692 mm this area an important site for mangrove biodiversity conservation. Catchment Landuse Catchment Area Grazing, Nature Conservation, Managed Resource Protection.

1.Root Burial 2. Terrestrial Retreat 3 Light Gaps 4. Storm Damage 5. Bank Erosion East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 11. Starcke River 14°47'2.727"S, 145°1'9.16"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 1 Cumulative Threat Score: 12.8 Threat to tidal wetlands: Very High Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape York Pigs 1.2 2 5 Pigs and diggings in 1 Increased feral pig Increased Research feral tidal saltmarsh and control and fencing coastal feral pig control rush dominated key wetland areas. pig control strategies brackish palustrine wetlands. Upstream Bank 1.2 2 2 Severe bank erosion 2 Restrict cattle Investigate Erosion and gully head access. Prevent coastal development in further gully-head erosion upper estuary retreat. contribution to GBR sediment loads. Shoreline 2.4 1 7 Mangrove retreat at 2 Limit National Erosion shoreline margins catchment climate due to recent nutrient change cyclone activity runoff mitigation Catchment Size: 68,779 ha Tidal Wetland Area: 9,747 ha Terrestrial 1.2 2 1 Terrestrial margins, 2 Improve resilience National 4 Issue Photo Point Mangrove: 5,652 ha Retreat particularly along by reducing direct climate Saltmarsh: 4,094 ha Wetland southern tidal impacts from pigs, change Wetlands Cover Index: 0.58 River wetland areas cattle and vehicles. mitigation Length: 73 km Estuary Length: 7.5 km Estuary Size: Storm Damage 2.4 1 3 Extensive dead and 2 Limit National 75 ha fallen mangroves catchment climate Annual Rainfall: 1366 mm and inner fringe nutrient change Catchment Landuse Managed collapse in fringing runoff mitigation Resource Protection Nature mangroves. Catchment Area Conservation Other Issues Observed: Cattle, Flood Damage, Ecotone Shift – Positive, Ecotone Shift – Negative, Root Burial, Vehicle Damage, Abandoned boats 1. Storm Damage 2. Terrestrial Retreat 3. Bank Erosion 4. Pig Damage

5. Shoreline Erosion East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 12. Jeannie River 14°47'2.727"S, 145°1'9.16"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 9 Cumulative Threat Score: 10.2 Threat to tidal wetlands: High

Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape York Bank Erosion 1.8 1 2 Throughout 1 Reduce cattle Investigate National 2 4 estuary, with some access to estuary coastal climate gully erosion in margins, erosion change 5 upper estuary. particularly in contribution mitigation upper estuary. to GBR 1 Prevent gully-head sediment retreat. loads. Flood Damage 1.6 2 15 Scoured banks, 2 National downed wood and climate 3 debris with impact change increasing with mitigation distance from estuary mouth. Catchment Size: 51,423 ha Cattle 0.8 4 6 Tracks and cattle on 1 Restrict cattle Incentivise Tidal Wetland Area: 187 ha cattle removal 4 Issue Photo Point salt-flats and access to tidal Mangrove: 70 ha upriver. wetland areas from tidal Wetlands Saltmarsh: 117 ha wetlands Wetland Cover Index: 0.38 River Length: 52 km Terrestrial 1.2 3 1 Dieback along 3 Improve resilience National Estuary Length: 9.2 km Retreat terrestrial margins by reducing direct climate Estuary Size: 91 ha impacts from cattle change Annual Rainfall: 1388 mm and pigs. mitigation Catchment Landuse Storm Damage 1.2 3 3 Fringing and lower 2 National Managed Resource Protection estuary mangroves. climate Catchment Area Nature Conservation change mitigation Other Issues Observed: Pigs, Shoreline Erosion, Root Burial, Light Gaps, Depositional Gain. Storm damage not as severe as in the Starcke estuary.

1. Bank & Gully Erosion 2. Flood Damage 3. Minor Storm Damage 4. Terrestrial Retreat 5. Cattle Tracks East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 13. Muck River 14°18'28.388"S, 144°19'6.159"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 13 Cumulative Threat Score: 7.8 Threat to tidal wetlands: Moderate

Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape York Pigs 1.2 2 5 Pigs and diggings in 1 Increased feral pig Increased Research tidal saltmarsh and control and fencing coastal feral feral pig brackish palustrine key wetland areas. pig control control wetlands strategies Cattle 0.4 3 6 Cattle tracks and 1 Restrict cattle Incentivise cattle across access to tidal cattle removal saltflats wetland areas from tidal wetlands Ecotone Shift - 0.6 4 10 Recent mangrove 1 Improve upper National positive expansion into intertidal resilience climate saltflats and upper by reducing direct change intertidal margins; impacts from pigs, mitigation Avicennia, cattle and vehicles. Lumnitzera & Aegialitis Catchment Size: 14,688 ha Terrestrial Terrestrial margins, Improve resilience National Tidal Wetland Area: 1,065 ha 3.2 1 1 3 4 Issue Photo Point Retreat with dead by reducing direct climate Mangrove: 367 ha Melaleauca and impacts from pigs, change Wetlands Saltmarsh: 698 ha erosion head cattle and vehicles. mitigation Wetland Cover Index: 0.34 formation River Length: 40 km Estuary Length: 6.8 km Root Burial 0.6 4 9 Recent and ongoing 2 National Estuary Size: 25 ha shoreline retreat climate Annual Rainfall: 1248 mm and chenier ridge change Catchment Landuse upland migration in mitigation Managed Resource Protection fringing mangroves. Catchment Area Nature Conservation Other Issues Observed: Bank erosion, Depositional Gain, Ecotone Shift – Negative, Vehicle Damage, Shoreline erosion, Inner fringe collapse. One 1. Pig Damage wetland area very damaged by pigs. Old vehicle tracks suggesting potential for future impacts. 2. Cattle Tracks

3. Ecotone Shift - positive 4. Terrestrial Retreat 5. Root burial and shoreline retreat East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 18. Stewart River 14°47'2.727"S, 145°1'9.16"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 28 Cumulative Threat Score: 2.25 Threat to tidal wetlands: Very Low

Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape York Clearing/ 0.25 3 17 Minor clearing for 1 Improve controlled Removal shoreline access near access to shorelines campgrounds and and access boat ramps management near campgrounds.

Bank Erosion 1.2 1 2 Fallen trees and bank 2 Restore estuary National collapse in the mid- riparian vegetation. climate estuary. Erosion change appears to be mitigation greater along shoreline with less riparian vegetation. Shoreline 0.6 2 7 Shoreline retreat 2 Limit National Erosion north of the estuary catchment climate Catchment Size: 85,732 ha mouth. nutrient change Tidal Wetland Area: 926 ha 4 Issue Photo Point runoff mitigation Mangrove: 279 ha Wetlands Saltmarsh: 647 ha Depositional 0.2 4 12 Sediment deposition 1 Improve vegetation Wetland Cover Index: 0.30 Gain facilitating mangrove management and River Length: 154 km expansion at estuary off-river water Estuary Length: 6.4 km mouth. Mostly management to Estuary Size: 296 ha Aegialitis seedlings. reduce estuary Annual Rainfall: 1260 mm sediment inputs Catchment Landuse and maintain river Managed Resource Protection flows . Catchment Area Nature Conservation Other Observations: Very dry wide estuary with few mangroves. The estuary mouth is highly dynamic.

1. Bank erosion 2. Shoreline erosion

3. Depositional gain 4. Minor mangrove clearing East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 19. Nesbit River 14°47'2.727"S, 145°1'9.16"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 14 Cumulative Threat Score: 7.6 Threat to tidal wetlands: Low

Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape York Cattle 0.8 4 6 Cattle and tracks 1 Restrict cattle Incentivise observed access to sensitive cattle tidal throughout the tidal wetland areas. wetland access estuary. management Bank Erosion 1.8 1 2 Estuary bank 1 Manage cattle National erosion from recent access to tidal climate flooding observed wetland areas and change over entire estuary. estuary banks. mitigation Flood Damage 1.2 3 15 Scoured banks and 2 National fallen trees in the climate mid and upper change estuary. mitigation Terrestrial 1.6 2 1 Dead Melaleauca 2 Improve resilience National Retreat along tidal wetland by reducing direct climate Catchment Size: 72,946 ha marigns, large area impacts from cattle change Tidal Wetland Area: 368 ha north side. and pigs. mitigation 4 Issue Photo Point Mangrove: 285 ha Ceriops Wetlands Saltmarsh: 83 ha Ecotone Shift - 0.6 5 4 Dieback in 2 National negative stands on north side climate Wetland Cover Index: 0.77 and up smaller tidal change River Length: 34 km creeks. mitigation Estuary Length: 11.6 km Estuary Size: 208 ha Depositional 0.6 5 12 Seedlings on banks. 1 Manage cattle Improve Annual Rainfall: 1374 mm Gain Indicator of recent access to tidal catchment Catchment Landuse sediment deposition wetland areas and vegetation Nature Conservation, Managed in the estuary. estuary banks. management to Catchment Area Resource Protection, Grazing reduce sediment delivery to the 1. Terrestrial Retreat & Bank erosion Other Issues Observed: Beach shack present at estuary mouth – no other direct human estuary. impacts observed. Pigs, mangrove encroachment and upstream mangrove migration present. Extensive marine debris pollution present along beaches.

2. Bank erosion & Flood Damage 3. Cattle 4. Ecotone Shift - negative 5. Depositional gain East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 20. Lockhart River 14°47'2.727"S, 145°1'9.16"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 10 Cumulative Threat Score: 9.2 Threat to tidal wetlands: Moderate Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape York Pigs 0.6 4 5 Pigs and wallows 1 Increased feral pig Increased Research feral along tidal wetland control and fencing coastal feral pig control margins, freshwater key wetland areas. pig control strategies wetlands and upstream reaches of tidal creeks. Large wetland on Dead Horse Ck nearly 50% damaged. Bank Erosion 1.2 3 2 Estuary bank 3 National erosion causing loss climate of significant change mangrove stands mitigation throughout. Terrestrial 1.6 2 1 Dead Melaleauca 3 Improve resilience National Retreat along upstream by reducing direct climate Catchment Size: 95,478 ha wetland margins. impacts from pigs, change Tidal Wetland Area: 8,492 ha 4 Issue Photo Point Extensive across cattle and vehicles. mitigation Mangrove: 7,926 ha whole area. Wetlands Saltmarsh: 566 ha Wetland Cover Index: 0.93 Storm Damage 2.4 1 3 Evidence of 4 Limit National River Length: 118 km multiple past catchment climate Estuary Length: 12.8 km severe storms. nutrient change Estuary Size: 862 ha Inner fringe runoff mitigation Annual Rainfall: 1847 mm collapse extensive Catchment Landuse along seaward Managed Resource Protection fringe. Many areas Catchment Area recovering.

1. Storm Damage Other Issues Observed: Very little saltmarsh habitat. No pond apple observed – more detailed surveys required. Positive ecotone shift, depositional gain, negative ecotone shift and mangrove encroachment present. 3. Bank Erosion 4. Pigs 2. Terrestrial Retreat East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 21. Claudie River 14°47'2.727"S, 145°1'9.16"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 12 Cumulative Threat Score: 8.8 Threat to tidal wetlands: Moderate Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape York Pigs 1.2 2 5 Many pigs 1 Increased feral pig Increased Research feral observed. Wallows control and fencing coastal feral pig control in saline upper key wetland areas. pig control strategies intertidal wetlands. Altered 1.2 2 14 Dead mangroves 3 Investigate National hydrology - and wetland trees potential of climate natural impounded in restoring flow change wetland in lower mitigation south area. Possibly caused by past storm activity. Ecotone Shift - 1.2 2 4 Dead large Ceriops 3 Limit National negative in lower-mid catchment climate estuary. nutrient change runoff mitigation Catchment Size: 36,927 ha Terrestrial 2.4 1 1 Dead Melaleuca 3 Improve resilience National Tidal Wetland Area: 590 ha 4 Issue Photo Point Retreat along freshwater by reducing direct climate Mangrove: 460 ha swamp margins in impacts from pigs, change Wetlands Saltmarsh: 130 ha lower-mid estuary. cattle and vehicles. mitigation Wetland Cover Index: 0.78 Progressive River Length: 39 km wetland retreat. Estuary Length: 8.1 km Estuary Size: 42 ha Storm Damage 1.2 2 3 Inner fringe 3 Limit National Annual Rainfall: 1911 mm collapse in lower catchment climate Catchment Landuse estuary. Regrowth nutrient change Nature Conservation, in damaged stands runoff mitigation Catchment Area Managed Resource Protection ~15 yrs. Limited recovery in newer 1. Terrestrial Retreat patches. Other Observations: Only location of Sonneratia lanceolate on Qld east coast. Extensive stands of Nypa. Some land clearing near the estuary. Minimal buffer zones in upper estuary. No confirmed Pond Apple sightings. Bank erosion, minor clearing and root burial present.

2. Pigs 3. Storm Damage 4. Altered hydrology 5. Ecotone Shift

4. Pigs East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 22. Pascoe River 14°47'2.727"S, 145°1'9.16"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 21 Cumulative Threat Score: 6.4 Threat to tidal wetlands: Low

Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape York Altered 1 2 5 Large impounded 4 National Hydrology - area in mid-estuary climate natural upper intertidal change area. Possibly linked mitigation to sea level rise and groundwater hydrology. Bank Erosion 0.6 5 2 Exposed banks and 2 National small areas of climate recent bank change slumping in upper mitigation and mid estuary. Minor Clearing 0.8 3 8 2 boat access points 4 Restrict any Improve in upper estuary and additional monitoring tributaries. mangrove clearing.. and Catchment Size: 214,611 ha management Tidal Wetland Area: 151 ha of mangrove 4 Issue Photo Point Mangrove: 151 ha removal in Wetlands Saltmarsh: 0 ha remote Wetland Cover Index: 1 estuaries. River Length: 128 km Terrestrial Dead Melaleauca National Estuary Length: 15 km 1.8 1 1 3 Retreat along freshwater climate Estuary Size: 228 ha wetland margins. change Annual Rainfall: 1826 mm mitigation Catchment Landuse Managed Resource Protection, Storm Damage 0.8 3 3 Inner fringe collapse 2 National Catchment Area Grazing, Nature Conservation in lower estuary. climate Limited recovery. change 1. Terrestrial Retreat Storm damage ~10- mitigation 15 yrs. Other observations: Very stable river system with very clean water and sandy substrate. No pig damage or evidence of pigs. Light gaps, root burial, mangrove encroachment and depositional gain present. 2. Minor Clearing 3. Storm Damage 4. Bank erosion 5. Altered hydrology East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 23. Hunter River 14°47'2.727"S, 145°1'9.16"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 4 Cumulative Threat Score: 12.2 Threat to tidal wetlands: Very High Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape York Shoreline 3.2 1 7 Downed trees and 3 National Erosion uneven shoreline. climate Complete loss of change fringing mangrove mitigation zones in places. Ongoing retreat and mangrove loss likely. Cattle 1.2 4 6 Cattle and tracks 1 Restrict cattle Incentivise present in saltpan access to tidal managing cattle areas. wetlands. access to tidal wetlands. Ecotone Shift - 1.2 4 4 Mangrove dieback 2 Restrict cattle National Negative along zone margins. access to tidal climate Mostly Ceriops. wetlands to change improve mitigation Catchment Size: 17,897 ha resilience to Tidal Wetland Area: 3,174 ha natural change. 4 Issue Photo Point Mangrove: 2,504 ha Terrestrial Dead Melaleacua and Improve National Wetlands 2.4 2 1 2 Saltmarsh: 670 ha Retreat Acacia along upper resilience by climate Wetland Cover Index: 0.79 intertidal margins, reducing direct change River Length: 86 km Erosion head impacts from mitigation Estuary Length: 5.8 km formation at tidal pigs, cattle and Estuary Size: 195 ha wetland margins vehicles. Annual Rainfall: 1677 mm indicating upland shift Catchment Landuse of tidal influence. Nature Conservation Catchment Area Storm Damage 1.6 3 3 Inner fringe collapse, 2 National blow down and shore climate 1. Shoreline erosion retreat in lower change estuary. Regrowth and mitigation recovery occurring. Other observations: Pig damage present in freshwater wetlands. Light gaps, root burial, and positive ecotone shift present. 4. Storm Damage 5. Ecotone Shift 3. Storm Damage 4. Cattle Tracks 2. Terrestrial Retreat East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 24. Olive River 14°47'2.727"S, 145°1'9.16"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 22 Cumulative Threat Score: 6 Threat to tidal wetlands: Low

Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape York Pigs 0.4 4 8 Pigs observed. 2 Increased feral pig Increased Research feral Minor damage to control and fencing coastal feral pig control upper intertidal key wetland areas. pig control strategies wetlands.

Bank Erosion 2.4 1 2 Bank slumping and 1 National scoured banks climate upstream, change particularly mitigation northern bank. Root Burial 0.8 2 9 Sand ridge retreat 3 National inland killing climate mangroves along change lower southern mitigation shoreline. Catchment Size: 179,463 ha Tidal Wetland Area: 727 ha 4 Issue Photo Point Terrestrial 0.6 3 1 Dead and dying 3 Improve resilience National Mangrove: 655 ha Retreat trees along by reducing direct climate Wetlands Saltmarsh: 71 ha landward margins impacts from pigs. change Wetland Cover Index: 0.90 of small area mitigation River Length: 136 km upstream. Estuary Length: 17 km Estuary Size: 204 ha Storm Damage 0.6 3 3 Large area of crown 3 National Annual Rainfall: 1655 mm damage and inner climate Catchment Landuse fringe collapse in change Nature Conservation, fringe mangroves on mitigation Catchment Area Grazing north bank of lower estuary. Spatially 1. Bank erosion restricted impact. Other Issues Observed: No evidence of human impacts, clean water. Large area of freshwater wetland dieback showing signs of recovery. Unexplained dieback of mangroves at estuary mouth. Depositional gain present in lower-mid estuary.

2. Root Burial 3. Terrestrial Retreat 4. Storm Damage 5. Pigs East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 25. Macmillan River 14°47'2.727"S, 145°1'9.16"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 15 Cumulative Threat Score: 7.2 Threat to tidal wetlands: Moderate

Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape York Light Gaps 1.6 1 8 Many light gaps in 3 taller mangroves in mid estuary.

Bank Erosion 0.8 3 2 Scoured banks 2 National along entire estuary climate shoreline. change mitigation Ecotone Shift - 0.8 3 4 Dieback of 2 Limit National negative Avicennia & Ceriops catchment climate along upper zone nutrient change margins. runoff mitigation Catchment Size: 4,847 ha Terrestrial Dead Melaleauca Improve resilience National Tidal Wetland Area: 1,226 ha 0.8 3 1 2 4 Issue Photo Point Retreat and erosion head by reducing direct climate Mangrove: 574 ha formation in upper impacts from pigs. change Wetlands Saltmarsh: 652 ha estuary. mitigation Wetland Cover Index: 0.47 River Length: 7.3 km Storm Damage 1.2 2 3 Crown damage and 2 Limit National Estuary Length: 2.3 km inner fringe catchment climate Estuary Size: 26 ha collapse in mid- nutrient change Annual Rainfall: 1689 mm estuary mangroves. runoff mitigation Catchment Landuse Nature Conservation Other Issues Observed: Positive ecotone shift and depositional gain present. Some pig tracks Catchment Area

1. Light Gaps

5. Terrestrial Retreat 2. Storm Damage 3. Bank Erosion 4. Ecotone Shift East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 26. Harmer River 14°47'2.727"S, 145°1'9.16"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 17 Cumulative Threat Score: 6.8 Threat to tidal wetlands: Moderate

Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape York Pigs 0.8 2 5 Wallows, tracks and 1 Increased feral pig Increased Research feral pigs in upper control and fencing coastal feral pig control mangrove areas and key wetland areas. pig control strategies wetland margins. No evidence of recovery. Bank Erosion 1.2 1 2 Steep, scoured 3 National banks on outer climate bends in mid- change estuary possibly mitigation from a recent large flood. Ecotone Shift - 1.2 1 4 Dead Ceriops along 4 Limit nutrient National negative all upper zone delivery to climate fringes. Very old estuary change stumps also through mitigation Catchment Size: 97,769 ha present. Area improved Tidal Wetland Area: 1,851 ha 4 Issue Photo Point sensitive to changes catchment Mangrove: 1,082 ha in rainfall. grazing Wetlands Saltmarsh: 769 ha management. Wetland Cover Index: 0.58 River Length: 80 km Terrestrial 1.2 1 1 Dead Melaleuca 3 Improve resilience National Estuary Length: 6.4 km Retreat along all upper by reducing direct climate Estuary Size: 91 ha terrestrial margins. impacts from pigs. change Annual Rainfall: 1643 mm More severe in the mitigation Catchment Landuse south-east. Nature Conservation, Grazing Catchment Area Root Burial 0.8 2 9 Small patch of dead 3 National mangroves on climate 1Terrestrial Retreat shoreline resulting change from landward sand mitigation movement. Other observations: Shoreline erosion, depositional gain, positive ecotone shift and mangrove encroachment present. Lots of Nypa in main channel. Clear, tannin rich waters with many schools of fish visible from the air. Lots of healthy new growth in mangroves. Many old dead mangroves suggesting past event, possibly a cyclone. 4. Pigs 5. Root Burial 2. Ecotone Shift 3. Bank Erosion East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 27. Escape River 14°47'2.727"S, 145°1'9.16"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 11 Cumulative Threat Score: 8.8 Threat to tidal wetlands: Moderate Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape York Root Burial 1.6 1 9 Buried roots and 2 National dead trees in climate shoreline change mangroves from mitigation landward sand movement and shoreline retreat. Terrestrial 0.6 4 8 Erosion head 1 Improve resilience National Retreat formation along by reducing direct climate terrestrial margins impacts from pigs, change in upper estuary. cattle and vehicles mitigation Ecotone Shift - 0.8 3 4 Dead mangroves at 3 Improve resilience Limit National Negative upper intertidal by reducing direct catchment climate margins. Evidence impacts from pig nutrient change of recent recovery. and cattle. runoff mitigation Catchment Size: 39,240 ha Upstream bank 0.8 3 1 Bank erosion along 2 National Tidal Wetland Area: 103,000 ha 4 Issue Photo Point erosion most estuary climate Mangrove: 9,371 ha channels, more change Wetlands Saltmarsh: 929 ha severe in the lower mitigation Wetland Cover Index: 0.91 estuary. River Length: 75 km Estuary Length: 16 km Storm Damage 1.2 2 3 Extensive dead and 2 Limit National Estuary Size: 1067 ha fallen mangroves catchment climate Annual Rainfall: 1854 mm and inner fringe nutrient change Catchment Landuse collapse in fringing runoff mitigation Nature Conservation, mangroves. Catchment Area Managed Resource Protection Other Issues Observed: Upstream mangroves and freshwater riparian trees dying and fallen suggesting upstream saline incursion. Mangrove 1. Root Burial upstream migration, saltflat surface erosion and shoreline erosion present; ecological indicators of sea level rise. Cattle and pigs damaging saltpans. Depositional gain in lower estuary possibly linked to upstream coastal plain erosion. Dyospora littorea forest present.

2.Terrestrial Retreat 3. Ecotone Shift 4. Storm Damage 5. Bank Erosion East Cape York Tidal Wetland Surveys 2017 28. Jackey-Jackey Creek 14°47'2.727"S, 145°1'9.16"E Tidal Wetland Threat Ranking: 20 Cumulative Threat Score: 6.4 Threat to tidal wetlands: Low Issue Local Action Priority Observations Time Management Response Threat Frame Local Regional National Score Estuary East Cape York Ecotone Shift - 1.8 1 4 Patches of dead 2 Improve resilience National negative mangroves by reducing direct climate throughout, mostly impacts from pigs, change Ceriops. cattle and vehicles. mitigation

Surface/Sheet 0.6 2 22 Saltflat surface 1 Improve resilience National Erosion erosion and gully by reducing direct climate head development impacts from pigs. change in north-west upper mitigation intertidal areas. Mangrove 0.4 3 18 Mangroves (mostly 1 Improve resilience Limit National Encroachment Lumnitzera by reducing direct catchment climate racemosa) migrating impacts from pigs. nutrient change landward into runoff mitigation Melaleuca habitats. Catchment Size: 48,095 ha Tidal Wetland Area: 12,071 ha Terrestrial Progressive dead Improve resilience National 4 Issue Photo Point 2.3 1 1 2 Mangrove: 11,546 ha Retreat and dying by reducing direct climate Wetlands Saltmarsh: 525 ha Melaleucas along impacts from pigs. change Wetland Cover Index: 0.96 terrestrial margins mitigation River Length: 99 km Storm Damage Inner fringe collapse National Estuary Length: 25 km 0.6 2 3 2 and dead climate Estuary Size: 1,067 ha mangroves in change Annual Rainfall: 1880 mm coastal mangroves. mitigation Catchment Landuse Nature Conservation, Ecotone Shit - 0.4 3 10 Young mangroves Improve resilience National Catchment Area Managed Resource Protection Positive present in saltflats by reducing direct climate suggesting landward impacts from pigs. change 1.Terrestrial Retreat migration. mitigation Other observation: Ecological indicators suggest current and ongoing sea level rise impacts. Stockpile of old 44 gallon drums near airfield may present a pollution hazard. Snubfin dolphins observed in estuary. Very high crocodile population. Bats present in mangroves. Pearling station trash in lower estuary requiring improved pollution management. Pig tracks present on saltflats. Light gaps present in fringing mangroves. 6. Ecotone 2. Ecotone shift - negative 3. Storm Damage 4. Surface Erosion 5. Mangrove Encroachment Shift - Positive

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