AuAuAustralianAu stralian Mangrove and Saltmarsh Network Conference

WorkingWork ing with Mangrove and Saltmarsh for Sustainable Outcomes

232323-23 ---2525 February 2015 University of Wollongong

CONTENTS

Welcome ...... 3

About AMSN ...... 3 Opening presentation ...... 4 Conference host: Keynote presentation ...... 4

Venue ...... 5 Transport ...... 5

Parking ...... 5

Maps ...... 6

Program ...... 8

Field trip program ...... 10 Conference sponsor:

Poster session ...... 10

Oral abstracts ...... 11

Poster abstracts ...... 33

Image cover page: Oblique aerial image of Minnamurra River.

Source: DLWC 2000 (http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ estuaries/stats/MinnamurraRiver.htm)

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WELCOME

Welcome to the 1 st Australian Mangrove and Saltmarsh Network Conference. With a theme of Working with mangrove and saltmarsh for sustainable outcomes , this conference will bring together coastal wetland and estuarine researchers, academics, students, consultants, managers, community advocates and policy makes with the intent to share information across disciplines, between institutions and with emerging researchers. The focus will primarily be on national approaches and research into mangrove and saltmarsh sustainability, but will have international links.

A key objective of this conference is to build-upon the momentum established in Townsville in February 2014 at the Australian Mangrove Network Conference by facilitating sharing of information about coastal sustainability. With an exciting program of over 50 presenters, we anticipate meeting this objective. The two-day scientific program includes opening and key note presentations by professor Bruce Thom and Dr Karen McKee, and is sure to interest delegates with sessions across themes including hydrodynamics and sedimentation; wetland evolution and climate change; distribution dynamics and remote sensing; carbon and nutrient cycling; sustainable wetland policy, conservation and restoration, monitoring and assessment; and sustainable wetland management. The program finishes with a field trip to coastal wetlands in the Illawarra.

ABOUT AMSN

The Australian Mangrove and Saltmarsh Network is an informal network established following the Australian Mangrove Network Conference in Townsville in February 2014, where it was identified that there is a need for a network that facilitates communication focused more broadly on both mangrove and saltmarsh wetlands.

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OPENING PRESENTATION

Bruce Thom is currently a member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists (www.wentwothgroup.org). His academic interests stem from a background in physical geography with particular interest in coastal geomorphology. Along the way he encountered mangroves in various locations and enjoyed comradeship with colleagues with a similar desire to learn more about their distribution and relationships to landforms in different geomorphic settings.

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

Karen L. McKee is a Scientist Emeritus (retired) with the U.S. Geological Survey. She received both a master’s degree and doctorate in botany and conducted research in the field of wetland plant ecology for forty years. Research topics have included adaptations of plants to stressful environments and effects of elevated CO 2, climate change, sea-level rise, and hurricanes on wetlands. Her scientific work has been published in over 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and books; she has also produced several peer-reviewed videos. Dr McKee has been active in promoting science communication by scientists and has worked to encourage more scientists and science students to acquire better multimedia skills.

VENUE

The conference will be held at the University of Wollongong Innovation Campus (iC). iC is located in the coastal city of Wollongong, 80 km south of the Sydney CBD. iC is one hour by road from Sydney International airport and 40 minutes from Sydney’s southern suburbs.

Ground floor, Building 233 (known as ITAMS) University of Wollongong innovation Campus Squires Way, Fairy Meadow

The conference dinner will be held at the Harbourfront in the Level One Function Room on Monday 23 February at 7pm. The Harbourfront is located on the shores of Wollongong Harbour and can be accessed easily by foot on the Blue Mile cycleway.

2 Endeavour Drive, Wollongong Harbour

TRANSPORT

There are numerous transport options for getting to the Innovation Campus. The cycleway and Free Gong Shuttle is recommended.

Cycleway The Innovation campus is located on the main north-south cycleway that is part of Wollongong City Council’s 42 km cycleway network, connecting Bulli in the north to Windang and Dapto in the south.

Bus The Free Gong Shuttle services operates on a loop that connects iC with the University of Wollongong main campus, Wollongong Hospital, Wollongong railway station, the city centre, North Wollongong beachside precinct, Fairy Meadow railway station and the TAFE Campus at North Wollongong. Buses travel in both directions on the loop.

Rail The innovation campus is located between North Wollongong and Fairy Meadow railway stations. However, if you are travelling by rail to the iC it is best to disembark at Wollongong railway station and catch the free Gong Shuttle service to the Campus.

PARKING Utilising public transport options is recommended. A Short-term parking station (P1) is available on the Innovation Campus if necessary. Parking fees apply.

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MAPS

Wollongong

University of Wollongong Innovation Campus

UOW Main Campus

Conference Dinner: Harbourfront

Innovation Campus

Building 233 ITAMS

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PROGRAM Day 1 - Monday 23 February 2015

8.00 Conference registration 9.00 Formalities and introductions Kerrylee Rogers 9.15 Opening presentation: Mangrove Reflections Bruce Thom Session 1: Hydrodynamics and sedimentation Chair: Prof. Colin Field 10.00 Hydrodynamics and sedimentation in mangrove systems Colin Woodroffe 10.15 Feasibility of Plutonium (Pu) isotope concentration to constrain the timing of Jon Knight contemporary sedimentary development of a mangrove basin 10.30 Hydrodynamic exposure mediates transitions between bare and vegetated Thomas A. Hurst states in temperate mangrove ecosystems 10.45 Challenging the emerging paradigm of ecogeomorphic adjustment to sea- Kerrylee Rogers level rise 11.00 Morning tea (30 minutes) Session 2: Wetland evolution and climate change Chair: Prof. Colin Woodroffe 11.30 Mangrove vulnerability to sea level rise in Southeast Asia and the wider Indo- Cath Lovelock Pacific 11.45 Climate change combined with direct human impacts on mangroves in Norm Duke Torres Strait: the need for strong partnerships to maximize the resilience and sustainability of tidal wetlands 12.00 Predicting recruitment of mangroves under environmental change Todd Minchinton 12.15 Can high-intensity storms reduce impacts of sea level rise to coastal Irv Mendelssohn wetlands? 12.30 Predicting sea-level rise and infrastructure effects on estuarine wetlands José F. using a numerical model. Rodriguez 12.45 Lunch (45 minutes) Session 3: Distribution dynamics and remote sensing Chair: Prof. Norm Duke 1.30 Mangrove –saltmarsh interactions in broader context Neil Saintilan 1.45 Saltmarsh and mangrove expansion in the Gippsland Lakes since European Paul Boon colonization 2.00 Dynamics over a sixty year period of mangrove and associated communities Arnon Accad in the marine tidal environment of Moreton Bay Queensland Australia. 2.15 The Global Mangrove Watch Richard Lucas 2.30 Mangrove Response to Environmental Change in Northern Australia Emma Ashbridge 2.45 Utilizing Rapid Hyper-Portable Ground-Based LiDAR to Improve Temporal Ian Paytner and Spatial Resolution of Observations in Saltmarshes and Mangroves 3.00 The use of different water sources by mangrove trees: dependence on Cath Lovelock groundwater and atmospheric water sources 3.15 AfterAfternoon noon tea (30 minutes) Session 4: Carbon and nutrient cycling Chair: Prof. Neil Saintilan 3.45 A critical look at predicting global patterns of above ground biomass in Colin Field mangroves 4.00 Examining 239+240 Pu, 210 Pb and historical events to determine carbon, Christian nitrogen and phosphorus burial in mangrove sediments of Moreton Bay Sanders 4.15 Carbon stock and fluxes in a semi arid mangrove (New Caledonia) Cyril Marchand 4.30 Blue is the new green: demonstrating the potential for creating blue carbon Carolyn Ewers offset programs 4.45 Mangrove encroachment of saltmarshes: what does it mean for carbon Jeff Kelleway sequestration potential? 5.00 Isotopes help evaluate the ecological value of saltmarsh and mangrove in Debashish Southeast Australia Mazumder 5.15 A multidisciplinary approach to blue carbon futures in Vietnam Robin Warner 5.30 Poster session and free time 7.00 Conference dinner

Day 2 - Tuesday 24 Feb ruary 2015

8.00 Conference registration 9.00 Formalities and introductions Kerrylee Rogers 9.15 Keynote presentation: Communication strategies for the 21 st Century Karen McKee Scientist Session 5: Sustainable wetland policy, conservation and restoration Chair: Dr Damien Burrows 10.00 Review of existing global and Australian instruments for mangrove Ian Cresswell conservation and management 10.15 Development offset policy and mangrove rehabilitation Patrick Dwyer 10.30 Mangrove and Saltmarsh restoration project – offsets in action Louise Johns 10.45 Protecting and restoring Australia’s ‘Great Southern Seascapes’ Simon Branigan 11.00 Morning tea (30 minutes) Session 6: Restoration at work Chair: Prof. Jarbas Bonetti 11.30 Working Towards an Integrated Modelling Approach for Restoring Duncan Rayner Saltmarsh Ecosystems 11.45 Port Botany the Biggest Saltmarsh Planting Project in the World – Outcomes Andre Olson from Six Years On 12.00 Ground Zero: Assessing a Future Mangrove Mitigation Area in Guam Jessica Gross 12.15 Observations following spoil excavation and saltmarsh return to Pemberton Simon Rowe street, Parramatta, 9 years on 12.30 LuLuLunch Lu nch (60 minutes) Session 7: Monitoring and assessment for sustainable outcomes Chair: Dr Kerrylee Rogers 1.30 Sedimentary characteristics and vegetation structure at the southern limit Jarbas Bonetti of mangrove forests in Brazil 1.45 Mangroves past, present and future in Princess Charlotte Bay, Far North Jock MacKenzie Queensland; the need for strong partnerships to maximise climate change resilience 2.00 Mangrove Restoration an Evidence Based Approach James Machin 2.15 Extension of salinity zones estimated from a predictive estuarine and Carla Bonetti mangrove foraminifera-based model 2.30 Do you know where the tide is? Robert J. Williams 2.45 Poster session and afternoon tea (45 minutes) Session 8: Sustainable wetland management Chair: Dr Debashish Mazumder 3.30 Constructed Saltmarshes. Years on are they working? Geoff Sainty 3.45 Mangrove and saltmarsh management at Sydney Olympic Park is more Swapan Paul challenging than ever 4.00 Is there a future for costal saltmarshes in Tasmania? Vishnu Prahalad 4.15 Hazard reduction strategies to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne disease Cameron Webb risk associated with rehabilitated estuarine wetlands 4.30 Stability and effectiveness of runelling in saltmarsh as a mosquito Pat Dale management tool 4.45 Engaging Community in Appreciation and Care of Saltmarsh and Mangroves Mia Dalby-Ball 5.00 AMSN discussion and wrap-up Norm Duke 5.30 Free time. A dinner venue can be coco----oooordinatedrdinated if needed.

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FIELD TRIP PROGRAM

The field trip will visit three estuaries within the Illawarra region; Lake Illawarra, Minnamurra River and Shoalhaven River. This will provide delegates with the opportunity to see mangrove and saltmarsh associated with mature and immature estuaries, and with large and small catchment. The field trip will include a fish and chips lunch on the Shoalhaven River and finish with a cruise down the river from Nowra to Greenwell Point, providing plenty of opportunities to see local mangrove, saltmarsh and waterbirds.

Day 3 - Wednesday 25 February 2015

9.00 Sett-off from Innovation Campus Visit Lake Illawarra, Minnamurra River 121212.0012 .00.00.00 Lunch on Shoalhaven River 1.30 Cruise to Greenwell Point 5.00 Return to Innovation campus 5.30 Close of conference

POSTER SESSION PROGRAM

1 Modelling changes of Coastal Wetlands Responding to disturbance Ali Al-Nasrawi regimes 2 Mangrove Rehabilitation – Crabs and Coir Mia Dalby-Ball 3 Surface and subsurface elevation in a wet-dry tropical macro-tidal Madeline Goddard harbor; determining the contemporary rates of carbon sequestration 4 Current regulation of marine plant disturbance in Queensland, Australia Louise Johns 5 Composition and spatial variation of benthic foraminifera in mangrove Kirti Lal and saltmarsh of Carama Inlet, Jervis Bay 6 Soil seed banks dynamics of endangered estuarine plant communities in Bess E.A. Murphy temperate Australia 7 An object-based approach to understanding spatial variability in wetland Chris Owers vegetation 8 WET (Wetland Education and Training) delivering cutting edge wetland Swapan Paul training 9 Mangrove forests and their importance for terrestrial vertebrate fauna Stefanie Rog 10 Recognition of coastal features in wet tropics: a review in Brazilian Rafaula Salum Amazon Coast 11 Spectral signature analysis for mangrove and saltmarsh species of Sikdar Mohammad Kooragang wetlands, NSW, Australia with Hyperspectral and LiDAR data Marnes Rasel

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ORAL ABSTRACTS

Hydrodynamics and sedimesedimentationntation in mangrove systems

Colin D. Woodroffe , University of Wollongong, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences

The morphodynamics of mangrove shorelines has received little attention. Most mangrove systems are flushed by tidal processes, and patterns of sediment movement and deposition, as well as ecosystem productivity, are a function of landform morphology and setting. Around the Australian margin, mangroves occupy a small proportion of extensive coastal and estuarine plains that have accumulated over the past few millennia during which sea level has been relatively stable. The accommodation space available for mangrove establishment varies with tidal hydrodynamics; tidal planes are rarely horizontal, and flows are generally asymmetric. The larger estuarine channels are often flood dominated, whereas smaller wetland systems are ebb-dominated. Mangroves may adjust to relative sea-level rise through the vertical accumulation of substrate, but also through rapid horizontal displacement, except where constrained by coastal squeeze. Most simulation models of future mangrove responses inadequately capture the complexity of mangrove dynamics.

Feasibility of Plutonium (Pu) isotope concentration to constrain the timing of contemporary sedimentary development ooff a mangrove basin

Jon Knight , Environment Future Research Institute, Griffith University Nathan, Qld 4111 Sam Marx, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Wollongong David Child, Institute for Environmental Research, ANSTO Michael Hotchkis, Institute for Environmental Research, ANSTO

We examine whether Pu can be used to provide an age chronology in highly reduced mangrove basin sediments and test the utility of fallout Pu to provide a date marker for calibrating a 210 Pb chronology. Plutonium fallout isotopic ratios ( 240 Pu/ 239 Pu) and concentrations in a sediment core were measured by Accelerator Mass Spectrometry to create a bomb pulse chronostratigraphy. In a related prior study we used 210 Pb dating to derive sediment accumulation rates to quantify contemporary sediment accretion (~100 years) for three topographic units in a mangrove back basin (pools, marsh surface and ridge line). Lead-210 dating is cost effective and therefore widely used to examine recent sedimentary histories in a variety of settings. However, 210 Pb is a relative dating method which may also be affected by mobility of 210 Pb within the sediment in some environmental settings, requiring an independent corroborating date chronology for interpretation. Caesium-137 is commonly used to corroborate 210 Pb ages, however 137 Cs can also be mobile and is becoming increasingly difficult to use due to its significant radioactive decay. In this presentation we demonstrate the feasibility of using Pu for dating mangrove sediments and for independent corroboration of 210 Pb dating of mangrove sediments.

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Hydrodynamic exposure mediates transitions between bare and vegetated states in temperate mangrove ecosystems

Thomas A. Hurst , School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University; and Melbourne Water Corporation Adam J. Pope, Melbourne Water Corporation Gerry P. Quinn, Melbourne Water Corporation

The resilience of mangroves is dependent on regeneration capacity. Patchy mid-19 th century clearing dramatically affected this capacity so creating stable bare and vegetated states in a fragmented temperate mangrove ecosystem. Mechanisms of mediation between states were tested by monitoring the survival and growth of planted mangrove seedlings and propagules on formerly forested bare mudflats and inside patches of existing forest. Regeneration was affected by 1) differing levels of exposure to hydrodynamic (wave) energy found at varying proximities to remnant forest and 2) differing inundation regimes both within and between sites that were randomly selected from locations that varied in aspect relative to prevailing winds. Increases in relative wave energy within and between sites corresponded to a decrease in survival that was much more pronounced at locations that were exposed to prevailing winds and resultant higher wave energy. Growth rates were also generally lower at sites in exposed locations but inundation regime was a more important determinant within sites, where growth was reduced at lower heights on the shore. Results show that stability of the bare mudflat state (caused by historical clearance of the mangrove forest) is dependent on level of exposure to wave energy and a return to a forested state is more likely where this exposure is lower. These results have implications for planning and implementing mangrove restoration projects and illustrate potential impacts of climate change on the resilience of disturbed temperate mangrove ecosystems.

Challenging the emerging paradigm of ecogeomorphic adjustment to sea-sea ---levellevel rise

Kerrylee Rogers , School of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Wollongong, Wollongong Neil Saintilan, Department of Environment and Geography, Macquarie University Debashish Mazumder, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Atun Zwadazki, Australian nuclear Science and Technology Organisation ColinWoodroffe, School of Earth and Environmental Science

There is an emerging paradigm that coastal wetlands will respond to sea-level rise though geological and biological processes that build elevation in situ at rates equivalent to the rate of sea-level rise. This paradigm has largely emerged due to recent observations of the contribution of organic matter to the sediment volume in coastal wetlands. In this paper we investigate this paradigm using evidence from Cararma Inlet, Jervis Bay. Cararma Inlet is lies entirely within Jervis Bay National Park and has minimal catchment development; thereby minimising the effect of anthropogenic influences on elevation building. To account for lags between rates of sea-level rise and the geomorphic response a range of methods was applied that quantify elevation adjustment at multiple timescales. We found that there was minimal evidence of an equilibrium elevation adjustment, though a lag may be evident in the mangrove zone. In the saltmarsh zone, elevation building was constant for over a century and did not 12 correspond to sea-level rise at any temporal scale; however the effect of sea level rise on tidal inundation remains unknown. We provide evidence that the saltmarsh zone is responding largely through processes that supply mineral sediment to the intertidal zone from Jervis Bay. In contrast, mangrove productivity is contributing organic matter to the soil profile and enhancing the elevation response in the mangrove zone. We propose that it is not reasonable to assume an equilibrium elevation adjustment to future sea-level rise and that elevation adjustment is complex across an intertidal platform. Quantifying current and future sediment budgets may provide a more useful indication of the future vulnerability of coastal wetlands.

Mangrove vulnerability to sea level rise in Southeast Asia and the wider IndoIndo----PacificPacific

Catherine E. Lovelock , School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland Dan Friess, Department of Geography, National University of Singapore Don Cahoon, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, United States Geological Survey, USA Glenn Guntenspergen 3, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, United States Geological Survey, USA Ken Krauss, National Wetland Research Center, United States Geological Survey, Louisiana, USA Ruth Reef, Cambridge Coastal Research Unit, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge Tran Triet, International Crane Foundation, Wisconsin, USA Megan Saunders, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland Frida Sidik, Institute for Marine Research & Observation, Ministry of Marine Affairs & Fisheries, Bali, Indonesia Andrew Swales, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Hamilton, New Zealand Kerrylee Rogers, School of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Wollongong, Wollongong Neil Saintilan, Department of Environment and Geography, Macquarie University

Accelerated Sea Level Rise (SLR) threatens human populations and coastal habitats around the world. Large parts of the Indo-Pacific – and in particular Southeast Asia – are vulnerable to submergence due to high anticipated SLR in the future. Mangroves may be able to keep pace with SLR by increasing their surface elevation through the creation of belowground biomass and sediment trapping. Preliminary data synthesis from an expanding Indo-Pacific network of Rod Surface Elevation Table instruments located at 27 sites across 45 degrees of latitude found that sediment availability (linked to accretion on the soil surface) was fundamental to maintaining rates of surface elevation gain that matched or exceeded SLR. 55% of our study sites had rates of surface elevation gain less than SLR (over variable time periods), and may be vulnerable to submergence. These data highlight the importance of maintaining sediment supply for minerogenic mangroves in the face of human modification of river flows. Mangroves at sites with large tidal ranges and high rates of sediment supply could survive for hundreds of years even with predicted accelerated rates of SLR, however those with low tidal range and reduced sediment supply could be submerged much sooner.

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Climate change combined with direct human impacts on mangroves in Torres Strait, Far North Queensland: the need fforor strong partnerships between traditional owners, scientists and natural resource managers to maximize the resilience and sustainability of tidal wetlands.

Norman C. Duke , Mangrove Hub, TropWATER, James Cook University Jock R. Mackenzie, Mangrove Hub, TropWATER, James Cook University Damien Burrows, Mangrove Hub, TropWATER, James Cook University

Mangroves arguably form the dominant forest community in Torres Strait. Yet very little is known about Australia’s northernmost mangroves, despite their importance to Torres Strait Island communities. And, these valuable shoreline habitats are vulnerable and critically threatened. Over the past 3 years we have worked with the Torres Strait Island communities to survey mangroves on 14 Torres Strait Islands to better understand their biodiversity, biomass, extent, condition and threats to mangrove resilience. From these surveys we have identified new mangrove species for Australia, updated existing mangrove extent mapping, quantified mangrove carbon storage and identified processes of change that are impacting mangrove habitats. The major finding from these surveys has been that mangroves in Torres Strait have high biodiversity, they are highly valuable and they are threatened by climate change. Mangroves of Torres Strait appear to be responding rapidly to small fluctuations in sea level with mangrove expansion occurring on most islands in the recent past in conjunction with a small drop in sea level during the 1980s and 1990s. Now, rapid sea level increases are again happening in Torres Strait, and it appears that mangrove losses are now occurring. Our evidence suggests that the sensitivity of mangroves is such that we believe we can identify responses within decadal periods. The expectation has been that sea level rise might be linear. But, that view is inconsistent with monthly measures of sea level. Here we present an overview of our findings in Torres Strait and discuss the potential implications of sea level rise for the future of mangroves in these island settings.

Predicting recruitment of mangroves under environmental change

Todd E. Minchinton , Institute for Conservation Biology and School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong

A key to predicting the natural regeneration and distributional limits of mangroves is to understand the factors influencing recruitment processes, including flower pollination, fruit production, propagule dispersal and seedling establishment. Today I will present outcomes of collaborative research from two studies that enhance our understanding of how anthropogenic disturbance might alter recruitment of the mangrove Avicennia marina in temperate forests of Australia. The first study investigated the identity of key pollinators of temperate mangroves and examined the influence of habitat fragmentation on pollination biology in urbanized mangroves of Sydney. Research revealed that the exotic honeybee Apis mellifera was the dominant pollinator and that visitation and propagule production was directly related to mangrove stand size. The second study investigated how variation in ocean temperature and salinity under climate change might influence the dispersal potential and establishment of 14

Avicennia marina . Results showed that propagules floated longest in cool saline water and sunk most rapidly in warm fresh water, and that seedling performance was greatest for propagules that dispersed at higher water temperatures and salinities, suggesting that changes to oceanic conditions under climate change could alter mangrove dispersal and current range limits.

Can highhigh----intensityintensity storms reduce impacts of sea level rise ttoo coastal wetlands?

Irving A. Mendelssohn , Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, USA Joseph Baustian, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, USA Shuwen Li, Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, USA

Components of climate change do not occur in isolation, but rather interact in complex and often unpredictable ways. In the field and greenhouse, we investigated the effects of storm- induced sedimentation on the response of coastal marshes to different sea-level endpoints. The field research used the Mississippi River deltaic environment, which is subject to both high rates of relative sea level rise and frequent and intense tropical cyclones (hurricanes). We sampled 21 permanent marsh stations that received from 0 to 12 cm of sedimentation from recent hurricanes. The effects of hurricane-induced sedimentation on vegetation, soil condition, and resilience (rate of recovery from applied disturbances) were determined. Hurricane- induced sedimentation had a positive effect on marsh resiliency and primary productivity. In the greenhouse, where future sea levels, salinities, and sedimentation levels were simulated, sedimentation ameliorated the effects of moderate sea-level rise on plant productivity, soil chemistry, and marsh resilience. Collectively, our research indicates that hurricane induced sedimentation can play an important role in mediating the impacts of moderate increases in sea level, but this effect is constrained at higher sea-level endpoints.

Predicting seasea----levellevel rise and infrastructure effects on estuarine wetlands using a numerical model.

José F. Rodriguez , School of Engineering, University of Newcastle F. Trivisonno, Centre for Hydro-Environment Research, University of Rosario, Argentina S. Sandi Rojas, School of Engineering, University of Newcastle G. Riccardi, Centre for Hydro-Environment Research, University of Rosario, Argentina H. Stenta, Centre for Hydro-Environment Research, University of Rosario, Argentina P.M. Saco, School of Engineering, University of Newcastle

Even though on a large scale the stability and resilience of estuarine wetlands depends on the slope of the land and a balance between the rates of soil accretion and sea-level rise, local man-made flow disturbances can have comparable effects. Climate change predictions for most of Australia include an accelerated sea-level rise, which may challenge the survival of estuarine wetlands. Furthermore, coastal infrastructure poses an additional constraint on the adaptive capacity of these ecosystems.

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We present results of a wetland evolution model that is based on computed values of hydroperiod and tidal range that drive vegetation preference. Our application simulates the long term evolution of a wetland on the Hunter Estuary heavily constricted by infrastructure that is undergoing the effects of predicted accelerated sea level rise. The wetland presents a vegetation zonation sequence mudflats - mangrove - saltmarsh from the seaward margin and up the topographic gradient but is also affected by compartmentalization due to internal road embankments and culverts that effectively attenuates tidal input to the upstream compartments. Results of the model show that flow attenuation can play a major role in wetland hydrodynamics and that its effects must be considered when predicting wetland evolution under climate change scenarios, particularly in situations where existing infrastructure affects the flow.

Mangrove –––saltmarsh–saltmarsh interactions in broader context

Neil Saintilan , Department of Environment and Geography, Macquarie University Kerrylee Rogers, School of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Wollongong, Wollongong

A global trend of mangrove range expansion is evident on all continents where mangroves and saltmarsh co-occur, and has been described at the scale of latitudinal range and local dominance. There are several reasons to consider mangrove range expansion in the context of woody tree and shrub encroachment of terrestrial and wetland grassland biomes more generally. In this presentation, common drivers of woody plant encroachment across terrestrial, freshwater wetland and saline wetland biomes are explored. A regional scales, temperature thresholds are important in determining pole-ward extent, and within temperature limits, aridity. Increases in atmospheric CO2, may also facilitate recruitment of trees in terrestrial and wetland settings. Improved water relations, a mechanism that would predict higher soil moisture in grasslands and saltmarshes, and also an enhanced capacity to survive arid conditions, reinforces local mechanisms of change. The expansion of woody shrubs and mangroves provides a negative feedback on elevated atmospheric CO2 by increasing carbon sequestration in grassland and saltmarsh, and is a significant carbon sink globally. These broad-scale vegetation shifts represent a new stable state, reinforced by positive feedbacks between global change drivers and endogenic mechanisms of persistence in the landscape.

Saltmarsh and mangrove expansion in the Gippsland Lakes since European colonization

Paul Boon , Institute for Sustainability & Innovation, Victoria University Neville Rosengren, Environmental Geosurveys Doug Frood, Pathways Bushland & Environment Alison Oates, Oates Environmental Consulting Jim Reside, Wildlife Unlimited

The Gippsland Lakes, on the south-eastern coast of the Australian mainland, consist of a system of coastal lagoons and fringing wetlands, sheltering behind a series of sandy barriers dating from the Late Pleistocene. They are one of Australia’s most important and highly used estuarine complexes, and were listed under the Ramsar Convention in 1982. Two

16 anthropogenic processes have resulted in the progressive salinization of the Gippsland Lakes and the lower reaches of their inflowing rivers: i) the cutting in 1889 of an artificial entrance to the Southern Ocean in order to improve navigational access; and ii) in the 20 th century increasing extraction of freshwaters from the western rivers for human use. Concomitant has been an anthropogenic increase of 2−3 fold in nutrient loading from the catchment, driven largely by vegetation clearance and agricultural development. Climate-change induced rises in eustatic sea level and increased incidence and severity of storm surges suggest further changes in physio-chemical conditions will ensue. A 18-month project to investigate the impact of these manifold changes on water-dependent vegetation of the Gippsland Lakes commenced in July 2014 and has revealed a marked loss of fringing Phragmites beds, the likely expansion of coastal saltmarsh, and the appearance for the first time (in the late 1980s or early 1990s) of the mangrove Avicennia marina in the more marine-influenced parts of the Lakes. This presentation provides an overview of the project's findings to date and their implications for the management of this valuable coastal system.

Dynamics over a sixty yeyearar period of mangrove and associatedassociated communities in the marine tidal environment of Moreton Bay Queensland Australia.

Arnon Accad , Queensland Herbarium, Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, Brisbane Botanic Gardens Ralph Dowling, Queensland Herbarium, DSITA Jiaorong Li, Queensland Herbarium, DSITA Gordon Guymer, Queensland Herbarium, DSITA

The Queensland Herbarium has established a network of permanent monitoring plots across Moreton Bay. The network of permanent monitoring plots is providing on ground information, not accessible via remotely sensed data, including details of structure, floristics, condition, and ground level erosion and accretion. The plot-based data cannot however be extrapolated to determine changes in mangrove communities across Moreton Bay as a whole. To determine changes in mangrove communities across the whole of Moreton Bay an overarching mapping component is established to provide quantitative assessments of the extent of mangrove and associated communities across the area. Historical imagery mosaics were developed from the 1950s, 1970s and 1990s to fit with the more recent ortho-photography from 2012. While mangrove communities have declined in some areas and increased in others, their total area is relatively unchanged. The saline communities associated with mangroves; claypans, samphire communities and marine couch, are in decline. This paper highlights the natural and anthropogenic dynamics over a sixty year period of mangrove and associated communities in the marine tidal environment of Moreton Bay Queensland Australia.

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The Global Mangrove Watch

Richard Lucas , Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES), The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Nathan Thomas, Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University Peter Bunting, Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University Emma Asbridge, Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES), The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Lammert Hillarides, Wetlands International, Wageningen, Netherlands

The Japanese Space Exploration Agency (JAXA) Kyoto and Carbon (K&C) Initiative launched the Global Mangrove Watch (GMW) with a view to monitoring mangroves across their range using Japanese Earth Resources Satellite (JERS-1) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) Phased Array L-band SAR (PALSAR) data. Particular advantages of these satellites is that they provide all weather viewing regardless of illumination conditions, which is particularly relevant for observations in many tropical and subtropical areas where mangroves occur. Comparisons of these data over time indicated that whilst mapping of mangroves was difficult in many areas because of similarities in the L-band backscatter of adjoining forests, changes away from existing baselines could be monitored. Recent analysis of data from the ALOS-2 PALSAR-2, which was launched in 2014, indicated that changes in mangroves could continue to be monitored on a regular basis.

Mangrove Response to Environmental Change in Northern Australia

Emma Asbridge , Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES), The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Richard Lucas, Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES), The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Catherine Ticehurst, CSIRO Land and Water, Black Mountain, Christian Laboratory Neil Flood, Remote Sensing Centre, Eco-Sciences Precinct, Science Division, Qld Dept of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts (DSITIA)

Globally, mangroves are responding to coastal environmental change. Separating human from natural events and processes is difficult due to complex interactions and the lack of undisturbed regions. In the Gulf of Carpentaria, northern Australia (Leichhardt, Nicholson, Morning Inlet and Flinders River catchments), human disturbance is minimal. Hence, this study sought to establish and quantify mangrove change over the period of Landsat sensor observations (1987-2014) and explain natural processes that might have occurred. The comparison indicated seaward and landward extension, with both associated with increased river discharge, as determined from river gauge data and the MODIS Open Water Likelihood (OWL) algorithm. Landward expansion may also be due to sea level rise. LIDAR data acquired over the Leichhardt River confirmed staged seaward movement, with distinct structural features. The study highlighted the dynamic nature of mangroves and suggested a response to a changing climate.

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Utilizing Rapid HyperHyper----PortablePortable GroundGround----BasedBased LiDAR to Improve Temporal and Spatial Resolution of Observations in Saltmarshes and MangrovesMangroves

Ian Paynter , School for the Environment, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA Edward Saenz, School for the Environment, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, USA Crystal Schaaf, School for the Environment, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, USA Francesco Peri, School for the Environment, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, USA Jennifer Bowen, Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA Robert Chen, School for the Environment, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, USA Sarah Oktay, School for the Environment, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, USA Jasmine Muir, Remote Sensing Centre, Department of Science, IT, Innovation & the Arts, Brisbane; and Geography, Planning & Environmental Management, University of Queensland, Lola Fatoyinbo, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Greenbelt, MD, USA Andres Vega, Sirena Biological Station, Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica

Complex coastal environments such as saltmarshes and mangroves are highly variable spatially and also temporally dynamic on intertidal and phenological scales. Furthermore they can vary greatly in response to episodic events such as storm surges and snow melt. These factors offer considerable challenges, both to traditional field surveying techniques, and to airborne and satellite remote sensing acquisitions. The opportunity to collect wide-cover, fine- scale spatial information in coastal ecosystems is afforded by the University of Massachusetts Boston Compact Biomass LiDAR (CBL). The CBL is an inexpensive, highly portable, fast- scanning, time-of-flight, terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) instrument. The portability of the CBL allows frequent LiDAR scans, both temporally and spatially, as well as a rapid response capability to monitor changes from episodic events. We present scanning and processing techniques to extract critical ecological measurements of saltmarshes and mangroves as developed during recent CBL deployments in Massachusetts, USA, and Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica.

The use of different water sources by mangrove trees: dependence on groundwater and atmospheric water sources

Catherine E. Lovelock , School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland Matthew Hayes, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland Ruth Reef School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland,; and Cambridge Coastal Research Unit, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge Nadia Santini, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland Marilyn C. Ball, Cambridge Coastal Research Unit, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge; Research School of Biology, The Australian National University

The roots of mangrove trees are periodically submerged by seawater, yet evidence for tree use of groundwater and fresh atmospheric water sources, which results in benefits for growth, is strong. Groundwater that is fresher than seawater and enriched in nitrogen often emerges on the coasts at sea level providing a resource to support the metabolic function and growth of mangrove forests. Through the assessment of the stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen over sites that span variation in aridity and access to groundwater across intertidal gradients we

19 show in most settings mangrove trees use groundwater and also use rainwater when available. This strong dependence of mangrove trees on groundwater and other freshwater sources gives insight into their vulnerability to local disturbances of hydrological flows and indicates that changes in the distribution of rainfall with climate change will have a large effect on the functioning of mangrove forests.

A critical look at predicting global patterns of above ground biomass in mangroves

Colin Field , University of Technology, Sydney

Historically, there have been several attempts to model Above Ground Biomass (AGB) in mangroves with changes in latitude. More recently a model has been proposed linking changes in AGB with changes in temperature and rainfall. The merits and disadvantages of these models will be discussed.

The use of such models in managing mangrove ecosystems, refining global climate models and influencing mitigation schemes such as REDD will also be discussed.

Examining 239+240 Pu, 210 Pb and historical eventeventss to determine carbon, nitrogennitrogen and phosphorus burial in mangrove sediments of Moreton Bay, Australia

Christian J. Sanders , Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry Research, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University

Sediment cores were collected and dated using 239+240 Pu global fallout signatures as well as 210 Pb, applying both the Constant Initial Concentration (CIC) and the Constant Rate of Supply (CRS) models. The 239+240 Pu and CIC model are interpreted as having comparable sediment accretion rates (SAR) below an apparent mixed region in the uppermost intervals. In contrast, the CRS dating method shows high sediment accretion rates in the uppermost intervals, which is substantially diminished over the lower intervals of the 100-year record. A local anthropogenic signal is reflected in the high total phosphorus (TP) concentration in younger sediments. The carbon/nitrogen molar ratios and δ15 N values further support a local anthropogenic signal. The origin of these signals is likely the untreated sewage discharge to Moreton Bay which began in the early 1970's. While the 239+240 Pu and CIC models can only produce rates averaged over the intervals of interest within the profile, the 210 Pb CRS model identifies elevated rates of sediment accretion, organic carbon (OC), N, and TP burial from 2000 to 2013. From 1920 to 2000, the three dating methods provide similar OC, N and TP burial rates, ~150, 10 and 2 g m -2 year -1, respectively, which are comparable to global averages.

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Carbon stock and fluxes in a semi arid mangrove (New Caledonia)

Cyril Marchand , Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UR206, New Caledonia, France A. Leopold, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UR206, New Caledonia, France, and PPME, University of New Caledonia, New Caledonia, France A. Jacotot, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, UR206, New Caledonia, France, and PPME, University of New Caledonia, New Caledonia, France M. Allenbach, PPME, University of New Caledonia, New Caledonia, France

Because of its high productivity, global distribution, and its position at the interface between land and ocean, the mangrove ecosystem has the dual skills of being a sink for atmospheric

CO 2 and a source of organic and inorganic carbon for adjacent ecosystems. However, the latest estimates of carbon balance in the mangroves show numerous uncertainties. The main objective of our project is to establish a quantified model of carbon dynamics in mangroves developping at different lattitudes (New Zealand, New Caledonia and Vietnam). During this conference, we will present some results obtained in the mangroves of New Caledonia during the last three years. Net aboveground primary productivity was determined as well as the carbon stock within the sedimentary column. To determine the balance between source and sink of atmospheric carbon, measurements of net carbon flux at large spatial scales was performed through the system of Eddy-Covariance. These measurements were linked to ad- hoc analysis of CO 2 fluxes from mangroves soils and tidal creek.

Blue is the new green: demonstrating the potential for creating blue carbon offset programs

Carolyn Ewers , Deakin University, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences Paul Carnell, Deakin University, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences Kerrylee Rogers, School of Earth and Environmental Science and Geoquest, University of Wollongong Peter Macreadie, Deakin University, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences

Blue carbon ecosystems—seagrasses, saltmarshes, and mangroves—have recently been identified as some of the most efficient and long-term carbon sinks on the planet; despite much theoretical evidence of their enormous potential to contribute to carbon offset schemes, empirical evidence is lacking. This project seeks to provide Australia’s first ‘blue carbon demonstration project’, using coastal mangroves as a model system. The project will involve removing grey infrastructure (bunds) from areas of the coast to restore natural tidal exchange and allow regeneration and restoration of mangroves, which according to geomorphic models, will significantly improve carbon burial gains. Ultimately, this project – backed by robust scientific approaches – will provide evidence that simple improvements to denuded areas of the coast can lead to significant emission reductions, as well a host of other important ecosystem services.

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Mangrove encroachment of saltmarshes: what does it mean for carbon sequestration potential? Jeffrey Kelleway , Plant Functional Biology and Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology, Sydney Neil Saintilan, Department of Environment and Geography, Macquarie University Peter Macreadie, Plant Functional Biology and Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology, Sydney; and Deakin University, Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life & Environmental Sciences Charles G. Skilbeck, School of the Environment, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, Australia Peter J. Ralph, Plant Functional Biology and Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology, Sydney

Saltmarshes and mangroves are disproportionately important in sequestering carbon relative to their spatial extent, with carbon sequestered through biomass production and soil carbon accumulation. In recent decades a global poleward expansion of mangrove has been reported, with mangrove encroachment into saltmarsh communities occurring throughout south-eastern Australia, as well as being reported across the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific coasts of Peru and Mexico and China. Aerial photo analysis was used to develop a 70-year record of mangrove encroachment into saltmarsh at one marine embayment and one riverine wetland in a south-east Australian estuary. Field-based measurements revealed significant biomass increases with mangrove encroachment, with the most substantial increases occurring between 15-70 years after mangrove establishment. Soil core analyses showed significant increases in soil carbon pools with mangrove encroachment. Interestingly, rates of biomass and soil carbon increase were higher in the riverine site relative to the marine embayment, suggesting site factors such as geomorphic setting and salinity influence the magnitude of change in major carbon pools as wetlands shift from saltmarsh to mangrove dominance. The outcomes of this study have implications for ‘blue carbon’ accounting of dynamic estuarine wetlands.

Isotopes help evaluate the ecological value of saltmarsh and mangrove in Southeast Australia

Debashish Mazumder , Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Neil Saintilan, Department of Environmental Science, Macquarie University Kerrylee Rogers, School of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Wollongong Suzanne Hollins, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Brendan Alderson, CARDNO, Australia Robert J.Williams, Senior Research Scientist (retired), New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW Fisheries), Australia

Understanding the carbon and nitrogen dynamics in coastal wetlands is fundamental to conservation decisions. We use the ratios of carbon and nitrogen isotopes to investigate sources and sinks as well as anthropogenic impacts to the aquatic food chain. Food web investigation in coastal wetlands identified an important energy link between the intertidal wetlands and the adjacent estuarine ecosystem. Isotopic analysis found that carbon stored at depth in the soil comes from mangrove and saltmarsh root materials. Analysis on the structure of some key trophic linkages found a consistent enrichment in δ15 N corresponding to increased anthropogenic N at the food chain levels. These results provide insights into better understanding of ecological values and the functionality of coastal wetlands to underpin sustainable management practices. 22

Blue Carbon FutFutures:ures: Conserving Coastal Carbon SinksSinks with Existing International Law Frameworks

Robin Warner , Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, University of Wollongong

Coastal and marine ecosystems such as mangroves, salt marshes and seagrass beds in tropical and sub-tropical regions are important carbon sinks. Recent studies have estimated that they account for more than 47% of total carbon dioxide sequestration in ocean sediments and sequester more carbon dioxide than terrestrial vegetation. These ecosystems are being degraded or being converted for other uses at a rapid rate. A variety of human drivers cause these losses including pollution form offshore and onshore sources, coastal aquaculture (eg shrimp farms), agriculture (eg palm oil plantations) and urban development.

Several international law frameworks have been established to coordinate and develop policy responses to climate change and environmental conservation and management more generally These include the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) and its Kyoto Protocol, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands. These frameworks were established before the climate change mitigation function of marine coastal ecosystems was clearly understood. This paper will discuss the extent to which elements of relevant international law and policy frameworks in their current form provide a coherent basis for protection and management of coastal carbon sinks. These elements include the stated objectives of each international law and policy framework and the rules, institutions and funding sources established to achieve those objectives.

Review of existing global and Australian instruments for mangrove conservation and management

Ian D. Cresswell , Land & Water National Research Flagship, CSIRO

At the global level conservation and management of mangroves are covered by a range of international and regional agreements that are diverse in nature, generally poorly coordinated, and in no cases directed specifically at mangrove ecosystems. While several initiatives have been established to create greater coordination and synergy between these agreements at the international level there is little evidence of improved management. At the national level each State or Territory manages mangroves within their jurisdiction under a wide range of laws and policies, but no coordination of mangrove conservation or management issues exists between the jurisdictions. A review of the relevant international instruments, as well as the existing laws for each jurisdiction within Australia, shows inconsistencies in approach and application. Further an analysis of their efficacy and efficiency for mangrove conservation and management suggests a concerted national, and indeed regional, approach is required.

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Development offset policy and mangrove rehabilitation

Patrick G, Dwyer , Aquatic Habitat Protection Unit, Fisheries NSW Jon M Knight, Environmental Futures Research Institute and Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University Pat E R Dale, Environmental Futures Research Institute and Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University Dylan Brown, Southern Cross University, Lismore

Avoidance and mitigation have primacy in assessment and regulation of potential impacts from development on mangrove wetlands. Where residual direct impacts are unavoidable, offsetting is often required. Offset policies applying to aquatic habitats (including marine) operate at national and state jurisdictions within Australia. In NSW the aquatic biodiversity offset policy requires offsets be: of the same or similar habitat type, but have higher conservation value; undertaken near the impacted site; and achieve a ratio of 2:1 (offset:impacted). Rehabilitation of degraded mangrove wetlands to offset direct impacts of development has been pursued in NSW since the late 1970s. Reports describing these offset projects (if documented) remain in the grey literature. Further, evaluation of the effectiveness of institutional processes and assessment of outcome is cursory or absent. Mangrove rehabilitation and offset projects undertaken in northern NSW have been reviewed to identify the institutional processes adopted in the more successful rehabilitation projects, as a step toward strengthening delivery of future mangrove offsets.

Mangrove and Saltmarsh restoration project ––– offsets in action

Louise Johns , Senior Fisheries Biologist, Cairns, Fisheries Queensland, Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Melissa Dixon, Principal Fisheries Resource Officer, Brisbane, Fisheries Queensland, Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Peter Marsh, Team Leader, Waterways and Coastal Infrastructure, Moreton Bay Regional Council

Fisheries Queensland manages fisheries resources including protected marine plants such as mangroves, seagrasses and saltmarsh under the Fisheries Act 1994 and the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 . Where disturbance to marine plants is unavoidable the fish habitat losses associated with development are offset under Queensland offset policies and legislation. In 2012, Moreton Bay Regional Council (MBRC) was issued a development approval for dredging navigational access to Moreton Bay. Dredging resulted in the loss of 0.58 ha seagrass. To offset this loss and other potential future losses of fish habitats though advanced offsetting, MBRC set aside an area of degraded fish habitat containing mangroves and saltmarsh plants. A rehabilitation plan was developed to restore 9.433 hectares of mangroves and salt marsh over 10 years. This paper will describe the process and the outcomes achieved within the last 3 years.

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Protecting and restoring Australia’s ‘Great Southern Seascapes’

Chris Gillies, The Nature Conservancy, Carlton, Victoria Simon Branigan , The Nature Conservancy, Carlton, Victoria James Fitzsimons, The Nature Conservancy, Carlton, Victoria

Based on the recommendation of a 2012 expert workshop on Conservation and Restoration of Temperate Australian Marine and Coastal Habitats , The Nature Conservancy (Australia Program) is starting work with a wide range of partners—from government, the private sector and the vast number of Australians who rely on the ocean for both their livelihoods and recreation—to dramatically accelerate and scale the conservation and restoration of coastal habitats in bays and estuaries across southern Australia. The Great Southern Seascapes program is built around a ‘two-track’ approach: an in-depth focus on ‘in-water’ restoration; complemented by work at the state and national scale to leverage results and funding.

Initial focal bays are Port Philip Bay and Western Port Bay where the program will launch pilot projects in reef restoration, blue carbon sequestration and shoreline protection focusing on a mix of saltmarsh, mangrove and shellfish reef habitats. These pilot projects will develop good practice models through collaborative, partner driven projects that improve ecological function, provide services to coastal communities and have potential for replication.

Working Towards an IntegraIntegratedted Modelling Approach forfor Restoring Saltmarsh EcosEcosystemsystems

Duncan Rayner , Water Research Laboratory, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW William Glamore, Water Research Laboratory, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Jamie Ruprecht, Water Research Laboratory, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW

The restoration of saltmarsh and mangrove wetlands is often based on trial-and-error approaches. This can result in poor on-ground outcomes and high ongoing management costs as the wetlands are regularly adapted in search of an optimal outcome. In some cases, the lack of immediate success results in project abandonment and reduced funding. However, the successful restoration of degraded saltmarsh and mangrove habitats can be achieved through the combined understanding of hydrology, hydraulics, hydrodynamics, and ecology using time- variant deterministic hydrodynamic models.

A case study of the Tomago Wetlands Restoration project on the Hunter River highlights how numerical modelling, in conjunction with sound ecological data from nearby reference sites and detailed hydraulic design, can result in the successful restoration of saltmarsh habitat. Numerical modelling at the site enabled critical processes such as hydraulic energy loss, connectivity of overland flow, time varying boundary conditions and inundation regimes to be accurately predicted ensuring the required flora distribution was predicted onsite. This deterministic time-variant approach has several advantages over stochastic or steady-state models.

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Port Botany the Biggest Saltmarsh Planting Project in the World ––– Outcomes from Six Years On

Andre Olson , Dragonfly Environmental Pty Ltd Geoff Sainty, Sainty and Associates Pty Ltd Mia Dalby-Ball, Ecological Consultants Australia Peggy Odonnell

Presenting the Saltmarsh creation works accompanying the expansion of the port at Port Botany, Sydney, NSW and the lessons learnt. Saltmarsh creation works were undertaken by Sydney Ports Corporation as part an $8 million investment by the Corporation to expand and rehabilitate Penrhyn Estuary. With over 230,000 Saltmarsh plantings this is the largest recorded Saltmarsh planting project globally. Saltmarsh creation involved 2.4 hectares being densely planted with Saltmarsh species. In addition to this 3000m 2 of Saltmarsh was translocated within Penrhyn Estuary.

Six years on we share the findings from this project. This paper shares the knowledge gained in the following areas:

- Saltmarsh seed collection and plant propagation, - translocation of Saltmarsh, - Saltmarsh planting - the importance of good soil and inundation/irrigation, - the influence of wrack in contributing to rapid changes in species distribution in naturally occurring Saltmarsh from two years of weekly monitoring. - successful control of Juncus acutus and six hectares of Bitou Bush - what is there of the birds to eat? Invertebrates in the substrate. - have the birds come back?

Ground Zero: Assessing a Future Mangrove Mitigation Area in Guam

Jessica Gross , Dueñas Camacho & Associates, Inc., Guam

Guam is home to the largest mangrove stands in the Mariana Islands. In 1997, the area of Sasa Bay was declared a Marine Protected Area (MPA) by the Government of Guam. Our project site is located in this bay and has experienced mangrove loss due to past conversions to military installations and the construction of a fuel pipeline. The pipeline owner has identified non- leaking metal anomalies and will refurbish the lines, with 0.09 acres of mangroves being impacted.

The regulatory "no net loss" wetlands policy for MPAs requires a compensatory mitigation ratio of 2:1. A mitigation site has been identified, located within the same watershed and MPA hosting a similar existing mangrove community. Our goal is to collect and compare data on forest structure and soil characteristics of our impact site with the potential new mitigation area to ensure our mitigation efforts are successful and sustainable.

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Observations following spoil excavation and saltmarsh return to Pemberton street, ParramaParramatta,tta, 9 years on

Simon Rowe , OceanWatch Australia – Marine NRM

This project came about because of one man's passion, a councils support and a well timed grant initiative named OceanWatch's Tide to Table. Parramatta Council lead the removal of spoil at this paddock initially at a trial scale to try and restore the correct elevation and conditions for saltmarsh return.

An enthusiastic bushcare volunteer group worked with council following this to elevate the site to what is now known as Baludarri wetland. I return 9 years on with camera to record the changes in ecology, social recognition and general condition of the site and surrounds.

Sedimentary characteristics and vegetation structure at the southern limit of mangrove forests in Brazil

Jarbas Bonetti , Federal University of Santa Catarina; School of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Wollongong

Maciambu estuary (Santa Catarina, Brazil), located at 27o49.5’S – 48 o37.3’W, can be considered the southernmost limit of structured mangrove forests in Western Atlantic, with trees reaching maximum heights of 6.5m and presenting the three arboreal plant species that occur in south Brazil. The area was investigated by acquiring sedimentological and vegetation data along five transects perpendicular to the estuarine axis. Historical aerial photographs were also interpreted to determine changes in the mangrove structure and extension. Fine sand is the most abundant grain size class in the area, with sediment coarser towards the estuarine extremes. Organic content and carbonates were higher in the intermediate estuary, coincident with the higher presence of mud. Lower dominance and a better mangrove structure were also related to those transects, in which sediments are more heterogeneous. Photointerpretation indicated that there was an increase in the mangrove area and in tree density from 1978 to 1998, possibly due to the decline of subsistence agriculture and timber extraction, and also as a result of a more restrictive environmental legislation.

MangroveMangrovess past, present and future in Princess CharlotteCharlotte BaBay,y, Far North Queensland; the need for strong partnerships between Traditional Owners, scientists and natural resource managers to maximize climate change resilience.

Jock R. Mackenzie , TropWATER, James Cook University, Townsville Norman C. Duke, TropWATER, James Cook University, Townsville Roberts CR, Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation, Cairns Kalpowar Rangers, Cape Melville, Flinders & Howick Islands Aboriginal Corporation, Cairns

In Princess Charlotte Bay (PCB), far North Queensland, mangrove habitat is undergoing extensive change. Although relatively free from direct human impacts, the future of this 27 important mangrove habitat is unexpectedly uncertain. Sea level rise appears to be responsible for driving loss of mangrove at shoreline margins and forcing mangrove landward migration. Roads, vehicle access, cattle and pigs threaten mangrove resilience to sea level rise and may result in a nett loss of mangrove habitat in Princess Charlotte Bay. The extensive mangrove area of PCB provides an important buffer between land and sea at the end one of Queensland’s largest catchments, the Normanby River, protecting nearby coral reefs and the most biodiverse seagrass habitat in Australia. PCB mangroves are of great cultural significance to the Traditional Owners of Kalpowar and Southern Lama Lama country and attract thousands of tourists each year to Lakefield National Park. Loss of mangroves will therefore have ecological, cultural and economic consequences in PCB. In order to maximize mangrove resilience to climate change in PCB, a MangroveWatch Partnership has been established between Traditional Owners, Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation and James Cook University, funded by the National Reef Rescue Programme. The goal of this partnership is to better understand current and historical processes affecting mangroves and existing anthropogenic threats to mangrove resilience in order to improve future mangrove management in PCB. Here we present the initial findings of an assessment of mangrove extent, condition and threats that highlight the threatened nature of this significant mangrove area. These findings demonstrate that even relatively pristine mangrove areas in our remote tropical north are threatened and require continued monitoring to inform active management by traditional owners. The future of mangrove habitat in remote northern Australia depends on developing strong partnerships between Traditional Owners, scientists and natural resource management agencies.

Mangrove Restoration an Evidence Based Approach

James Machin , Centre for Tropical Biology and Climate Change, James Cook University.

Mangrove forest restoration programs undertaken globally to date have had significant issues and limitations and “most attempts to restore mangroves often fail completely or fail to achieve the stated goals” (Lewis, 2005). Knowledge of the underlying factors controlling spatial patterns in mangroves is fundamental for efficient restoration of degraded mangrove communities but often lacking, impeding the successful restoration of these critical ecosystems.

A combined propagule observation, experimental propagule release and experimental seedling transplant study was conducted in the lower intertidal mangrove communities of the Ngao river, in the Kraburi river estuary, Ranong province, Southern Thailand. to better understand patterns of dispersal and development of mangrove propagules and seedlings in relation to environmental parameters and ultimately understand the factors controlling observed spatial patterns within two lower intertidal mangrove communities. Results of the study provide some interesting ecological information about reproductive patterns and forest dynamics of lower intertidal communities which are not well described in the literature. Results also provide further insights into tolerances of three dominant lower intertidal species to tidal inundation, physical environmental factors and insolation levels typically observed at restoration sites which will serve to improve current and future restoration efforts.

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Extension of salinity zones estimated from a predictive estuarine mangrove foraminiferaforaminifera---- based model

Carla Bonetti , Federal University of Santa Catarina, School of Earth and Environmental Science University of Wollongong

Foraminifera of tidal dominated environments have a wide distribution and occur in similar ecological zones in different geographical areas. Few key species can reflect the multiple interactions between biotic and abiotic parameters, allowing recognition of the progressive environmental changes in space and time. Species abundance data acquired in estuaries and mangrove fringes of southern Brazil were analysed in order to identify biotic trends indicative of the limit or extension of salinity zones established across sea-river gradients. The biotic features with major correlation with polyhaline, mesohaline and oligohaline zones (abundance of rotaliids, lituolids and Miliammina, respectively) were input to a statistical predictive model. The model accuracy was tested in other regions, and revealed consistent results for the recognition of different degrees of saline influence. This approach may have applicability to studies of coastal evolution, particularly in the identification of alterations in the positions of estuarine zones and potential mangrove occurrence due to climatic changes.

Do you know where the tide is?

Robert J. Williams, NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW Fisheries) Debashish Mazumder, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Joseph Cairns, Faculty of Science, University of Wollongong

A pilot exercise to assist in fine-tuning the feeding behaviour of the glassfish (Ambassidae: Ambassis jacksoniensis ), a small but highly abundant fish in temperate tidal wetlands of southeastern Australia, did what so many investigations have done before: more questions were raised than answers provided. Field collection of glassfish was scheduled based tidal prediction tables, and delightfully, glassfish taken at neap tide had no crab larvae in their gut. Perversely, when fish were captured on spring tides there were occasions when larvae did not appear to have been ingested. We inspected tidal records to ascertain if the tide really did rise to its predicted level. It did.

Environmental Assessment of Mangrove Communities In TaTarutrut Bay, East of the Arabian Peninsula based on a Multidisciplinary Approach

Ali Madan Al-Ali , Environmental Science at Trinity College Dublin, Republic of Ireland

Tarut bay embraces some of the important mangrove forests in the Arabian Gulf countries, which are facing different types of the anthropogenic pressures. The research adopts a multidisciplinary approach based on remote sensing, fieldwork, and chemical analysis in order to identify the pressures facing the mangrove communities in Tarut bay and evaluate its current environmental condition in comparison with its previous status especially during 2011

29 to 2014. The research estimated that the mangrove communities in Tarut bay cover currently around 11.32 square km. Two major mangrove cover changes were identified in Tarut bay during the (2011 to 2014) period with net loss of around 0.675 square km. The research adopted the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to evaluate the temporal change in vegetation concentration. Moreover, the research evaluated the overall pollution condition of 18 mangrove communities in Tarut bay to be generally in a medium status based on calculating the Pollution Load Index (PLI). However, the research found that some of the mangrove communities in Tarut bay are very healthy while others are in a very dangerous polluted condition and require immediate actions to improve their pollution status. The research recommended several suggestions to improve these bad conditions, which include re-opening the natural inlets to some of the currently closed mangrove communities.

Constructed Saltmarshes: Years on are they working?

Geoff Sainty , Sainty and Associates Pty Ltd Mia Dalby-Ball, Ecological Consultants Australia Katherine Duchate Geoff Hunter Andre Olson, Dragonfly Environmental Pty Ltd

Since the late 1990s there have been over 30 saltmarshes constructed in estuaries and tidal rivers in NSW. This paper summarises an observational review of more than 15 constructed Saltmarshes. Saltmarshes reviewed included examples from fully constructed and planted to those with low level of intervention and reliance on natural regeneration. Locations vary from highly urban areas of Sydney to the low tidal amplitude areas of Tuggerah Lakes and Lake Macquarie. The findings provide valuable information for the future design and management of constructed Saltmarshes particularly in urban areas and considering changes in sea-level. Review questions focused on answering: Did the constructed Saltmarsh achieve the goals set for it and what is the likelihood of its future success? This paper provides a definition of “success” including flora, fauna and ecosystem processes. Key outcomes of the review are applicable to saltmarsh construction and rehabilitation. A key finding is the high influence of tidal inundation regimes on a project success.

Mangrove management and saltmarsh conservation at Sydney Olympic Park

Swapan Paul, Sydney Olympic Park Authority Neil Saintilan, Department of Environment and Geography, Macquarie University Colin Field, University of Technology Sydney Kerrylee Rogers, School of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Wollongong, Wollongong Kerry Darcovich, Sydney Olympic Park Authority

Sydney Olympic Park contains the largest coverage of coastal saltmarsh and mangroves on the Parramatta River system. Much of the previous coverage of saltmarsh was lost during the past century before extensive recovery and reconstruction has improved saltmarsh in recent

30 decades. The overall condition and coverage have improved in the recent years, with patches of poor saltmarsh largely due to weed infestation and mangrove encroachment. The relationship between below-ground biomass and sedimentation on saltmarsh condition seems to be on a negative trajectory, alerting a potential threat to saltmarsh. Though mangrove coverage has increased over the decades, the overall health and condition appears to have deteriorated. The paper will present the above findings as well as the challenges in managing these systems in the face of varying local factors, including higher than regional long-term average rate of rise in sea level in the area.

Is there a future for costal saltmarshes in Tasmania?

Vishnu Prahalad , Geography and Spatial Science Discipline, University of Tasmania

Tasmanian coastal saltmarshes form a crucial ‘link’ between terrestrial and marine systems providing critical ecological functions that support a range of ecosystem services and biodiversity values. Close to a half of these important coastal ecosystems have been lost or degraded due to mismanagement and neglect. In addition, on-going effects due to climate change and sea level rise leave these ecosystems in a precarious position given that they occupy shores within 1 m of high water. This raises the question: is there a future for coastal saltmarshes in Tasmania? In response to this question, this presentation outlines an integrated multi-stakeholder driven ecosystem based management approach for ensuring a future for coastal saltmarshes. The approach includes an inventory framework that informs and guides management action, with a governance framework to coordinate action on the ground. The proposed management approach aims to advance a more systemic and holistic view of coastal ecosystems where saltmarshes are understood and managed with reference to relevant larger landscape scale processes.

Hazard reduction strategies to reduce the risk of mosquitoosquito----borneborne disease risk associated with rehabilitated estuarine wetlands

Cameron E. Webb , Department of Medical Entomology, Pathology West – ICPMR Westmead; and Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Sydney, New South Wales

Estuarine wetland rehabilitation plays a critical role in protecting ecologically valuable coastal environments. However, mosquitoes are a natural part of these wetlands and some species pose a significant pest and public health risk. The saltmarsh mosquito, Aedes vigilax , is closely associated with tidally influenced saltmarsh habitats, is often extremely abundant, can disperse many kilometres from wetlands and plays an important role in the transmission of Ross River virus. Unusually large populations of this mosquito can often be a symptom of degraded wetlands where restricted tidal flows and poor ecological diversity enhance conditions for this mosquito. Notwithstanding the public health risks, the impact of nuisance- biting alone on residents and visitors has the potential to erode the good will amongst the

31 community, and decision makers, for wetland rehabilitation. Strategies to assess and mitigate mosquito-borne disease risk will be discussed with examples from major wetlands in NSW.

Stability and effectiveness of runnelling in saltmarsh as a mosquito management tool

Pat Dale, Environment Future Research Institute, Griffith University, Nathan Qld 4111 Jon Knight , Environment Future Research Institute, Griffith University Nathan, Qld 4111

Saltmarshes are habitat for pest and disease-vector mosquitoes. Control of these mosquitoes routinely involves modifying marsh hydrology by constructing runnels across the marsh surface. Runnels are shallow (<0.3 m deep) spoon-shaped channels (~0.9 m wide) that follow natural paths of water movement, linking isolated mosquito larval pools to the tidal source, and allowing increased flushing and access for mosquito larvae predators.

Many saltmarsh sites in Australia have been runnelled since the late 1980s. However, apart from early records kept by Qld Fisheries, records of runnelling outlining the extent and maintenance of runnels have not been collated. Consequently an important information gap exists in our collective knowledge. It concerns:

1. The general effectiveness of habitat modification (runnelling) as a mosquito control method, and

2. The longer-term function and sustainability of runnels.

In this presentation we discuss results from an assessment of 6 runnel sites in SE Qld conducted over the past 6 months. Runnels were found to be in a wide range of conditions ranging from still effective and functioning to not at all effective and dysfunctional Reasons for the range of responses are discussed.

Engaging Community in Appreciation and Care of Saltmarsh and Mangroves

Mia Dalby-Ball, Ecological Consultants Australia

Communities are more engaged in knowing what is in the tidal zone and how their actions assist or impact. Seagrass and Saltmarsh are now as well-known as Mangroves. With positive community support we have moorings being converted from swinging chains to seagrass friendly ones. Saltmarsh re-creation projects are more common and there are success stories.

Practical information on community engagement is provided. Drawing on years of successful engagement projects (in both Local Government and private consulting) this presentation includes two case studies: Seasons and Cycles – walks and talks and Eco-ferry Trips – both of which have Saltmarsh as a focus area for increasing community knowledge and appreciation.

Examples of long-term inspired community care is also shown with two Saltmarsh projects care projects, one with a high school then other with community.

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POSTER ABSTRACTS

Modelling changes of coastal wetlands responding to disturbance regimes (Eastern Australia).

Ali Al-Nasrawi , School of Earth& Environmental Science, University of Wollongong; and University of Babylon Brian Jones, School of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Wollongong Sarah Hamylton, School of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Wollongong

86% of Australians live along the coast. Yet recent stressors and challenges of degradation have been raised as natural processes in coastal zones are altered by high energy events such as sea level rise. Which have caused loss of the coastal ecosystems, particularly within coastal wetland which are the most sensitive and response-able coastal ecosystem of any pressures.

Modelling modifications to natural processes is important. Thus, Comerong Island (Southeast NSW) represents an ideal example of this context that reflecting disturbance regimes.

The measurable parameters of multi-temporal changes are Land Cover, Shorelines and sediment delivery using remote sensing data, GIS analysis, XRD, grain size and loss on ignition. Results show there are significant changes of vegetation and shoreline in wetlands of Comerong Island over time, including northern accretion (408344.46m2), eastern, middle and southern erosion (727626.25m2) of the Island.

With an eco-geomorphological context, such insights about the nature of changes in coastal wetlands are useful for sustainable risk assessment and management. The framework demonstrated here for quantifying the current stressors of coastal wetlands could represents an approach that could be profitably applied worldwide.

Mangrove Rehabilitation ––– Crabs and Coir

Mia Dalby Ball , Ecological Consultants Australia

Restoration of mangroves was a success due to the use of Coir Logs and other introduced substrates. A two year monitoring program revealed that under natural conditions less than 5% of mangrove seeds were taking root in the substrate. Those not rooted eventually rotted or otherwise left the site.

Mangroves that naturally established were from those seeds that wedged in a location such that the tide, or Stormwater inputs, didn’t shift their position. This was usually in areas of existing pneumatophores or partly embedded rubbish.

While the cleared area had no pneumatophore to catch seeds it did have coir logs that had been installed top manage erosion from Stormwater entering onto the mudflat. Seeds were placed into the Coir logs to observe what would happen.

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Seeds quickly established, the plants grew and all indicators (number of leaf pairs, plant height and branching) rapidly outdid all other plants (i. naturally established, ii. planted seeds and iii. planted seedlings). Crabs were also found to use the coir and were more abundant in the coir- logs than other areas. This paper presents the case study, the findings and how to use this in other mangrove rehabilitation projects.

Surface and subsurface elevation in a wetwet----drydry tropical macromacro----tidtidtidtidalal harbor; determining the contemporary rates of carbon sequestration

Madeline Goddard , Charles Darwin University Lindsay Hutley, Charles Darwin University Ruth Patterson, Australian Insitutute of Marine Science Kerrylee Rogers, School of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Wollongong Keith McGuinness, Charles Darwin University

The macro-tidal Darwin Harbour has a near pristine mangrove estate of ~20 000 ha in the wet- dry tropics of northern Australia and is currently experiencing amongst the highest rate of sea level rise in Australia 8.8 mm y -1 (BOM, Jan 2014). Mangroves are highly productive ecosystems that bury and store large quantities of carbon in their soils. Previous studies have indicated that the Darwin Harbour mangroves store 4.34 Tg of carbon in the top 1 m of soil (Bai, 2012). Contributing further to the carbon inventory of the Darwin Harbour this study aims to determine the contemporary annual rate of carbon sequestration. It will also provide an insight into the net gain or loss of sediment; critical in determining long-term vulnerability of these mangroves to elevated sea-level rise and impacts of industrialisation.

Rod Surface Elevation Tables, Marker Horizon (RSET-MH) monitoring stations monitor surface and shallow subsurface elevation changes and have been deployed for the first time in the Darwin Harbour in 2014. Six RSET-MH’s have been deployed in the seaward zone across an industrialised site and non-industrialised site. One of these sites has been paired with an Acoustic Dopple Velocimeter (ADV) which records the velocity of suspended particulate matter in three dimensions, providing an insight into tidal forces and sediment transport characteristics.

Initial findings from five months of data collection, including three months of dry season and two months of monsoon, along with findings from the ADV will be presented at the AMSN conference, preferably as an oral presentation.

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Current regulation of marine plant disturbance in Queensland, Australia

Louise Johns , Fisheries Queensland, Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry Nikki Moore, Fisheries Queensland, Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry

Significant planning reform is occurring in Queensland. Marine plants, including mangroves, saltmarsh and seagrass have been protected in Queensland since the mid-1900s, currently under the Fisheries Act 1994 . Since 2000, proposed damage, destruction and removal of marine plants has been managed as either assessable or self-assessable development, currently under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 . Impacts to marine plants have been offset since 2002. In 2013, policies used to assess proposed marine plant disturbance were incorporated into the State Development Assessment Provisions (SDAP). A single State Planning Policy was also introduced and protects marine plants as fisheries resources. The Environmental Offsets Act 2014 now provides the mechanism for offsetting approved impacts to marine plants. In 2013-14, one % of development triggered for assessment in Queensland related to marine plant disturbance. More than five times as many developments were approved through self-assessable codes. This paper will outline the instruments and processes by which marine plants continue to be protected and managed in Queensland.

Composition and spatial variation of benthic foraminifera in mangrove and saltmarsh of Carama Inlet, Jervis Bay

Kirti Lal , School of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Wollongong Carla Bonetti, Federal University of Santa Catarina, School of Earth and Environmental Science University of Wollongong Colin Woodroffe, School of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Wollongong Kerrylee Rogers, School of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Wollongong

The occurrence and abundance of benthic foraminifera in intertidal environments has proved reliable in determining sea-level variations as well as proxies for subaerial exposure time in these coastal ecosystems. Quantitative study of total foraminiferal faunas in samples from five different zones; Avicennia (fringe), Avicennia (low shrub-land), Sclerostegia, Sarcocornia and Juncus of Carama Inlet, Jervis Bay show distinct species composition and abundance in each of the zones. There is a significant relationship between elevation and foraminiferal assemblages within the zones that is statistically related to differing salinity regimes in each zone. Carama Inlet is a mature marine-dominated tidal estuary, with a small catchment that has had little human impact. The findings of this study focus specifically on the distribution, abundance and species composition of foraminifera assemblage in the mangrove and saltmarsh zones of a pristine estuarine system that can support paleoenvironmental studies either in this estuarine system or others geomorphologically similar.

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Soil seed banks dynamics of endangered estuarine plant communities in temperate Australia

Bess E. A. Murphy , Institute for Conservation Biology and School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Ben Gooden, Institute for Conservation Biology and School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Todd E. Minchinton, Institute for Conservation Biology and School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong

Soil seed banks act as reservoirs of diversity for plant communities and can be vital to their regeneration. Our research aimed to determine the composition of the soil seed bank for three endangered plant communities that dominate the coastal landscape of temperate Australia: swamp-oak forest, coastal saltmarsh, and mangrove forest. Using a spatially replicated sampling design targeting the dominant plant communities, 540 soil cores were collected at 27 sites across three locations, and seedling emergence was monitored for eight months under favourable greenhouse conditions. A total of 9 117 seedlings emerged for 87 species, giving 2 151 seeds per m 2 across all plant communities. Seed banks in the three communities were relatively distinct and generally reflected key taxa in the aboveground vegetation. Saltmarsh had the greatest seed density, swamp oak forests had the most species, and mangroves had relatively few seeds. Seed banks were dominated by the rush Juncus kraussii and the herb Samolus repens , accounting for 75% of emerged seedlings. This study provides the first detailed evidence of abundant and diverse seed banks for estuarine plant communities of temperate Australia, and the next step is to determine their role in plant population dynamics and the natural resilience of these endangered communities.

An objectobject----basedbased approach to understanding spatial variabilityvariability in wetland vegetation

Chris Owers , School of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Wollongong Colin Woodroffe, School of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Wollongong Kerrylee Rogers, School of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Wollongong

Accurate delineation of wetland vegetation from remotely-sensed data is important to understand wetland vegetation structural form. Object-based image analysis (OBIA) has been used widely in terrestrial studies for vegetation delineation, however this approach has only recently been adopted for wetland vegetation delineation. This study aims to delineate mangrove and saltmarsh at a functional structure level to understand spatial variability and spatial complexity in wetland systems. Using readily available aerial imagery and lidar point cloud data, this novel approach enables an effective pathway for understanding wetland vegetation structure. This research is useful for wetland managers and researchers alike, giving a platform for future research to examine the spatial variability of other features associated with vegetation type and structure, such as carbon sequestration potential and current carbon store.

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WET (Wetland EEducationducation and Training) delivering cutting edge wetlandwetland training

Swapan Paul, Sydney Olympic Park Authority Mia Dalby-Ball, Dragonfly Environmental Cameron Webb, University of Sydney - Westmead Hospital Max Finlayson, Charles Sturt University Neil Saintilan, Macquarie University Geoff Hunter, Hunter Environmental Services Rob Williams, NSW Department of Primary Industries Mike Bartlett, Swapan Paul, Sydney Olympic Park Authority

Mangrove and saltmarsh awareness and education has gained momentum in recent years, especially since the Coastal Saltmarsh has been declared as TEC in NSW, and more recently by the Commonwealth government. This poster gives examples of practical and scientifically robust awareness, education and training in Mangroves and Saltmarsh along with other wetland types.

The poster illustrates the wetland education and training program that the Sydney Olympic Park Authority has been organising since 2002 under the WET (Wetland Education and Training) banner. Some 42 hands-on workshops were organised in various themes around wetland management. In these workshops more than 1,200 wetland practitioners attended, which were delivered by more than 300 trainers. Since the workshop programs are based on scientific research and guided by a panel of wetland experts, the contents and the hands-on deliveries are relevant, up-to-date and rich.

Under the WET banner, the Authority also runs accredited teacher professional development workshops in the areas of Science and Geography, targeting training the school teachers in the areas of estuarine ecosystems. This program focuses on field-study techniques, biodiversity, and use of GIS and wetlands management approaches. The Authority’s suit of estuarine and freshwater wetlands provides the impetus and platform for effectively running such workshops.

Mangrove forests and their importance for terrestrial vertebrate fauna

Stefanie Rog , Monash University Melbourne

Mangrove forests provide a range of ecosystem functions like coastal protection, key nursery ground for fisheries and carbon sequestration. In spite of these important functions mangroves are still relatively poor understood compared with terrestrial tropical forests, and even less research attention has been paid to the terrestrial vertebrates that rely on them. Our ability to effectively conserve and manage mangroves and their inhabitants is limited by this poor knowledge. My PhD research is on the conservation of mangrove forests with a focus on their significance for mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Initial results of a comprehensive literature review suggest over 250 species use mangroves worldwide—a 5-fold increase of records included in previous global reviews. This provides insights into ecosystem functioning, and emphasizes mangrove importance for biodiversity. My research will build further on this data

37 by surveying for terrestrial animals in Australian mangroves and evaluating the efficiency of current management plans in order to guide mangrove management planning.

Recognition of coastal featufeaturesres in wet tropics: a reviewreview in Brazilian Amazon CoCoastast

Maria Rafaela Braga Salum de Abreu , University Federal of Pará- UFPA (Universidade Federal do Pará) Amazon / Brazil

According to the Atlas of Mangrove Ecosystem this environment represents 8 % of the coastline in the word and a quarter of zone line tropical coast with a total of 181.077 km 2. Brazil is the second-largest mangrove area (13.400 km 2) lost only to Indonesia, with an area of about 42.550 km 2. However, the Amazon coastal zone has the largest continuous mangrove area of world with approximately 7.5853 km 2. As the region is subjected to the meteorological effects of rain, clouds, and fog the imaging sensors LiDAR and SAR work together to pave the way to understanding the mangrove environment. In this article, we will discuss scientific work using remote sensing for the recognition of coastal geomorphological features along the coast of the Brazilian Amazon, and how the effective use of sensor data following good information of field work increasingly contribute to the understanding of mangroves.

Spectral signature analysis for mangrove and saltmarsh species of Kooragang wetlands, NSW, Australia with Hyperspectral and LiDAR data

Sikdar Mohammad Marnes Rasel , Department of Environment and Geography, Macquarie University Tim Ralph, Department of Environment and Geography, Macquarie University Michael Chang, Department of Environment and Geography, Macquarie University

Distinct spectral character based on spectral properties is an way to monitor the phonological properties of species. Improvements have been shown in this field by recent application of classification technique to hyperspectral airborne data. However this research will analyse hyperspectral and LiDAR fused technology for saltmarsh species specific vegetation index analysis and spectral signature for biomass estimation. It will also explore the possibility of distinct spectral properties at species level and show the relationship between biomass and some environmental variables for monitoring purposes. Specific objectives are (i) to identify a distinct spectral signature for mangrove and saltmarsh species based on their spectral properties (iii) to know the biomass content of different species based on the vegetation indices and other remote sensing tool and (iv) to develop a regression model between saltmarsh biomass and other environmental variables like soil salinity, soil moisture, soil carbon, redox and soil pH.

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Southe rn Cross University

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