Mangrove and Saltmarsh Dynamics in Homebush Bay: Implications for Management at Sydney Olympic Park
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University of Wollongong Research Online Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health - Honours Theses University of Wollongong Thesis Collections 2015 Mangrove and saltmarsh dynamics in Homebush Bay: implications for management at Sydney Olympic Park Catherine Bowie Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.uow.edu.au/thsci University of Wollongong Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorise you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. You are reminded of the following: This work is copyright. Apart from any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part of this work may be reproduced by any process, nor may any other exclusive right be exercised, without the permission of the author. Copyright owners are entitled to take legal action against persons who infringe their copyright. 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For further information contact the UOW Library: [email protected] Mangrove and saltmarsh dynamics in Homebush Bay: implications for management at Sydney Olympic Park Abstract Mangrove and saltmarsh wetlands generally occur at the interface of terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Prior to the 1980’s, coastal wetlands, including those in urban areas, were regarded as wastelands of little value; however, since then the ecosystem services they provide have been recognised. Urban wetlands face a range of challenges, most often reclamation for coastal development and poor ecosystem health. The Badu Wetland in Sydney Olympic Park, NSW, Australia, has been impacted by multiple pressures associated with wetlands in urban environments. This study aims to identify the relationship between coastal wetland health and distribution, and water levels. Particular emphasis was given to the effect of previous management interventions on current health and distribution, and the projected influence of sea-level rise in the 21st century. This was achieved by 1) collating information about past and present vegetation changes, policies to ameliorate vegetation change, and future threats to vegetation health; 2) mapping the current wetland distribution, and establishing the degree of change from previous mapping; 3) modelling the relationship between wetland vegetation distribution and elevation using digital elevation models; 4) establishing the vertical accretion and surface elevation trends using an established network of surface elevation tables and marker horizons; and 5) exploring the relationship between elevation and accretion trends and environmental variables, such as elevation, distance from the channel and hydroperiod. It was found that the Badu Wetland had poor mangrove health, including mangrove dieback, and this is linked to poor tidal flushing, either through long flow lengths or slight depressions within the landscape causing pooling of tidal waters. Vegetation distribution of mangrove and saltmarsh has remained relatively stable since 2002, and surface elevation and accretion trends over this period within both the mangrove and saltmarsh exceeds current rates of sea level rise. However, these rates may lag behind projected rates of sea level rise for the 21st century. Degree Type Thesis Degree Name BEnviSci Hons Department School of Earth & Environmental Sciences Advisor(s) Kerrylee Rogers Keywords Urban wetlands, netlands, surface, elevation change This thesis is available at Research Online: https://ro.uow.edu.au/thsci/108 Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health School of Earth and Environmental Science Mangrove and saltmarsh dynamics in Homebush Bay: implications for management at Sydney Olympic Park Catherine Bowie A thesis submitted in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Bachelor of Environmental Science in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong 2015 i The information in this thesis is entirely the result of investigations conducted by the author, unless otherwise acknowledged, and has not been submitted in part, or otherwise, for any other degree or qualification. Catherine Bowie 16th November 2015 ii Acknowledgements I wish to acknowledge the support provided to me by the following people and organisations through my honours project. First, I would like to thank my supervisors, Dr Kerrylee Rogers and Dr Swapan Paul. Particular thanks to Kerrylee for her continual encouragement, advice and patience, and to Swapan and the Sydney Olympic Park Authority for a warm welcome to the site and the provision of knowledge and resources wherever possible. Thanks to Chris Owers and Kirti Lai for showing me the ropes on the RTK-GPS, providing advice and assistance with ArcGIS, and continual encouragement. Thanks also to the ‘coastal coffee crew’, for the warm welcome into the sphere of coastal research, and the advice and encouragement provided over a friendly coffee every week. Thanks to all those who assisted during fieldwork, despite the often muddy and smelly nature of the wetlands. To Kerrylee and Swapan for introducing me to the site, and to Tristan Haider and Simone Haider, who were (nearly) always enthusiastic and happy to help. Thanks also to Peter and Louise McGrath for their hospitality, welcoming Tristan and I into their home when fieldwork was conducted over several days. Thanks to all of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences staff and students not already mentioned, for providing lab space, equipment and support. Special thanks to my fellow honours students, understanding of every trial and tribulation, even as they were experiencing their own. Finally, thanks to my friends and family for much needed distractions from honours, and to Graham Bowie for his proofreading efforts throughout the year. iii Table of Contents List of Figures ............................................................................................. vii List of Tables ............................................................................................... xii List of Abbreviations .................................................................................. xiv 1. Abstract ................................................................................................ xv 2. Introduction ............................................................................................ 1 2.1 Background to the Project .................................................................................. 1 2.1.1 Mangrove and Saltmarsh Environments ............................................................... 1 2.1.2 History of the Study Area ...................................................................................... 2 2.2 Aim and Objectives ............................................................................................. 4 3. Literature Review ................................................................................... 5 3.1 History of Vegetation Change................................................................................... 5 3.1.1 Change in Extent and Distribution of Mangrove and Saltmarsh ............................ 5 3.1.2 Change in Extent and Distribution of Vulnerable Species ................................... 13 3.1.3 Change in Extent and Distribution of Non-native Invasive Species ..................... 14 3.2 Past and Current Wetland Management ................................................................ 15 3.2.1 Management Issues ........................................................................................... 15 3.2.2 Management Actions .......................................................................................... 17 3.2.3 Success of Management Actions ........................................................................ 27 3.4 Emerging Threats .................................................................................................... 34 3.4.1 Relationship Between Wetland Distribution and Water Levels ............................ 34 3.4.2 Likely Response of Coastal Wetlands to Sea Level Rise .................................... 37 3.4.3 Likely Outcomes for Coastal Wetlands in Urbanised Landscapes ...................... 40 3.4.4 Coastal Squeeze ................................................................................................ 42 3.5 Methods for Exploring Future Management Options............................................ 44 3.5.1 Surface Elevation Tables (SETs) and Marker Horizons (MH) .............................. 44 3.5.2 Vegetation Health and Extent Monitoring ...........................................................