DOCSLIB.ORG

RWQM Scenario Report

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

ENVIRONMENT REPORT PORT PHILLIP BAY AND WESTERN PORT RECEIVING WATER QUALITY MODELLING: SCENARIOS Publication 1380 June 2011 A report developed for the ‘Better Bays & Waterways’ program, a water quality improvement plan for Port Phillip Bay and Western Port and their catchments. PORT PHILLIP BAY AND WESTERN PORT RECEIVING WATER QUALITY MODELLING: SCENARIOS REPORT STATUS Version Date Status Prepared Reviewed Approved By: By: By: V.1 May 2007 Draft SH, KPB, CB KPB KPB V.2 November 2007 Final SH, KPB KPB KPB V.3 May 2009 Final revised JO, KPB RL KPB Disclaimer: This document was prepared to inform the development of the Better Bays and Waterways Water Quality Improvement Plan and does not necessarily reflect the views of EPA Victoria. EPA Victoria makes no express or implied guarantees or representations to any third party as to the contents of this document. EPA Victoria accepts no liability for any reliance by any third party on the information detailed in this document. Joint EPA and ASR Report No. 2008-EPA1 May 2009 This document was prepared to inform the development of the Better Bays and Waterways Water Quality Improvement Plan. Recommendations included in these interim reports may have been superseded by actions contained in the final plan. Prepared by R. Lee, K. Black and J. Oldman PORT PHILLIP BAY AND WESTERN PORT RECEIVING WATER QUALITY MODELLING: SCENARIOS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A fully integrated suite of receiving water quality models of Port Phillip Bay and Western Port was developed for the Better Bays and Waterways (BBW) program at the request of Environment Protection Authority of Victoria (EPA Victoria) and Melbourne Water. Four coupled models were created and installed on the EPA (Vic) computer with other baywide supporting simulations and a comprehensive range of graphical and data analysis tools. All software came from the package ‘The 3DD Suite™ of Marine and Freshwater Numerical Models’. The fourfold model coupling involved: • a dynamic catchment model (defining freshwater, nutrient and mud inputs) • three-dimensional salinity and temperature stratified hydrodynamics (for tidal, wind and density-induced circulation) • dispersal (for effluent, sediment transport and pollutant dispersal) • primary production (for nutrient uptake, phytoplankton and zooplankton). The models covered Port Phillip Bay, Western Port and northern Bass Strait. Applications ranged from the impacts of nutrients released into Port Phillip Bay to mud transport modelling in flood events. Global climate change predictions were also made in this broad-ranging study, which is the first environmental overview since the CSIRO Port Phillip Bay Environmental Study in the mid-1990s. In the current study, Western Port is also treated. The models simulate the behaviour and dispersal of key water quality indicators as prescribed by the Department of Water, Environment, Heritage and the Arts for BBW. The indicators include nutrients (total nitrogen and total phosphorus), chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), suspended solids, salinity, toxicants, pathogens and litter. The models address catchment loading in context with in-bay processing through dispersion and exchange, and ecosystem assimilation. The indicators used in this report are by no means an exhaustive assessment of marine condition in terms of broader ecosystem issues. Applications ranged from the mapping of averaged indicators over a two-year simulation period to specific footprints representing event impacts. The 2004–05 simulation period took into account a major nitrogen reduction improvement at the Western Treatment Plant in November 2004 and a significant (1-in-100-year) flood event in February 2005. This simulation period also represented prolonged drought conditions (since 1998) that differ vastly from the modelled (and observed) conditions during the CSIRO Port Phillip Bay Study in the early 1990s, when climate was significantly wetter and cooler. Model scenarios that incorporated global climate change predictions for 2030 and 2070 were run and compared with current conditions to identify regions of heightened vulnerability to climate impact. This report deals with the scenario modelling (Beaches Stage 15), which builds upon the development phase (Beaches Stage 7, see the first three reports in this series) to inform the Port Phillip Bay and Western Port Water Quality Improvement Plan on current and projected conditions. Four aspects were identified for this stage: • assessment of recent (2004–05) water quality conditions in Port Phillip Bay and Western Port • future growth and climate change scenarios • nested studies for priority beaches identified in the companion sampling program (Beaches Stage 9, EPA 2008b) • investigation of key issues for each bay through specialised modelling studies. These modelling tasks incorporate daily catchment flows and water quality loadings generated by the PortsE2 catchment model that enter the bays via 42 discrete points and diffuse discharge locations. Comparisons to in-situ data are clear and the increased spatial resolution of the models enhances the understanding of load dispersion, settlement and decay within the bays. Resultant dispersion patterns of pollutants indicate an overwhelming influence of wet-weather events to transport catchment loads to the bay. Long-term periods of wet and dry conditions, as observed during 1992–96 and 1997–2007 respectively, can cause vastly different dispersion patterns for pollutants discharged to the bay. Climate change and future growth scenarios incorporate 2030 and 2070 projections for rainfall and evaporation in the Melbourne region (using the CSIRO Mk3 A1F1 medium-sensitivity scenario from Whetton and Power 2007) and the Department of Sustainability and Environment’s (DSE) 2030 planning scheme for Melbourne. The 2030 scenarios were adopted by the PortsE2 climate change scenario modelling for the Better Bays and Waterways decision support system. There are significant differences in ocean flushing between Port Phillip Bay (approximately one year) and Western Port (up to about a month), so initial studies isolate the effect of shifting the 1 PORT PHILLIP BAY AND WESTERN PORT RECEIVING WATER QUALITY MODELLING: SCENARIOS rainfall/evaporation balance in Port Phillip Bay. To enable this assessment the models are developed to incorporate an evaporation scheme and calibrated to in-situ salinity data. Models are compared between wetter conditions from the 1990s and projected dry conditions for 2030 and 2070, and mark a two to three PSU shift in salinity conditions from hyposaline (less salty than ocean) to hypersaline (more salty than ocean), which significantly alters the circulation and flushing of the bay. Comparing the extended drought conditions of 2004–05 with 2030 and 2070 projections, there are more subtle changes to salinity and temperature. Differences in pollutant dispersal manifest as constrained footprints from the major discharge points. Projected simulations for Western Port indicate significant increases in temperature (Western arm) and salinity (North-East arm). Companion dispersion modelling shows reduced loads increase the coastal concentration of pollutants near the discharge points and cause a subsequent downstream decrease in concentrations. Beach scenarios assess the potential of impacts at priority beaches from the PortsE2 discharge points. A nested 30 m grid model for the Swan Bay-Queenscliff region confirms observations that source waters from Swan Bay and ‘The Cut’ impact the beach during dry weather conditions. An investigation of the various pathogen sources in this region (bird roosting in Swan Bay, marina discharges, ferry operations) is recommended to assist in determining a mitigation strategy. The Rye-Rosebud and Altona–St Kilda priority beach regions are assessed for prevailing conditions and pathogen dispersal. In the northern region, coastally trapped waters disperse discharges alongshore, accumulating pathogens at the two priority beach regions of Altona and St Kilda. In the SE region, poor circulation in the Rye–Rosebud area causes pathogens to accumulate alongshore in the vicinity of the discharge points. This modelling highlighted the priority beaches as vulnerable regions impacted by accumulative coastal discharge. Configured for a range of local threat sources, further modelling could prioritise and track proposed mitigation strategies. Focus studies are undertaken to assess plankton–nutrient responses in Port Phillip Bay and sediment resuspension in Western Port. Phytoplankton response to current and projected conditions is explored using a coupled nutrient– phytoplankton–zooplankton model (NPZ). Further refinements of the NPZ model have advanced this into a highly evolved tool, allowing dynamic interaction of biota and nutrients within a complex system. While current and projected 2030 scenarios show similar patterns, the model indicates that significant increases in nutrients can lead to substantial changes in Chl-a levels. It has highlighted the need to investigate further the sensitivity of thresholds above which the bay could be subject to substantial and numerous algal outbreaks, particularly during favourable spring and summer conditions. The sediment dispersion model is augmented to include wave mixing and in-bay processes that are able to resuspend and transport sediment originally discharged from the catchment. Significant increases in suspended material occur across the system, with a strong preference for heightened concentrations in the eastern arm. This emphasises
Recommended publications
  • Blue Carbon’ Within Corangamite

    Blue Carbon’ Within Corangamite

    The Distribution and Abundance of ‘Blue Carbon’ within Corangamite A report for the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority Funded by the Australian Government February 2015 Authors: Paul Carnell, Carolyn Ewers, Ellen Rochelmeyer, Richard Zavalas, Bruce Hawke, Daniel Ierodiaconou, Jonathan Sanderman and Peter Macreadie (corresponding author) Cover photo: Saltmarsh at Breamlea Executive Summary Vegetated coastal habitats—seagrasses, saltmarshes and mangroves—have recently been identified as one of the most effective carbon sinks on the planet. Such habitats can bury carbon at a rate 35-57 times faster than tropical rainforests and can store carbon for thousands of years. Recent global data estimate that vegetated coastal habitats contribute 50% of carbon burial in the oceans – termed “blue carbon”. These features make vegetated coastal habitats ideal candidates for carbon offset programs and nature-based climate mitigation initiatives. In 2014 the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) identified a lack of information on the distribution and abundance of blue carbon within the catchment. Such information is critical for guiding the spatial prioritisation of conservation efforts. To address this knowledge gap, the Corangamite CMA commissioned researchers from Deakin University to conduct Corangamite’s first blue carbon stock assessment, focussing on sedimentary organic carbon. The major findings of this program are as follows: Corangamite has an estimated total blue carbon sediment stock of 431,502.02 Mg and a total carbon value of $6,472,530 over the top 30 cm of sediment at $15 Mg-1. It should be noted that because current sampling was confined to the top 30 cm of sediment, the carbon estimates given here are highly conservative.
  • SWAN BAY ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER NO 84 – February 2020 P.O

    SWAN BAY ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER NO 84 – February 2020 P.O

    SWAN BAY ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER NO 84 – February 2020 P.O. Box 143, Queenscliff 3225 Reg. No: A 00 1 7279 U http://sbea.webuda.com NURSERY NEWS SWAN BAY ENVIRONMENT Our nursery plants are loving the recent rains and ASSOCIATION high humidity. Sarah Roberts, the nursery’s coordinator, is very busy in the nursery at this Notice of Annual General Meeting time of year and also provides advice to gardeners 17th April 2020 who drop in to buy plants on Wednesday 7.30pm mornings and every third Sunday morning. Queenscliff Uniting Church Sarah is also finding a new use for old potting mix, which she is popping it into a compost bin Guest Speaker: Dr Danny Rogers for later use on veggie gardens. Another project is “Birds of Swan Bay” the development of the nursery’s seed bank, which volunteers are helping organise. Danny is one of Australia’s best known shorebird ecologists with an unsurpassed knowledge of birds of Swan Bay. He is a research biologist at Arthur Rylah Institute (Dept Environment, Land, Water and Planning) and is a co-author of the recently published “Australian Bird Guide”. Martin Gill, CEO, QBC will also address progress on Council’s climate emergency plan Membership renewals are due at the AGM. You may pay by direct deposit to 633-000 136521358 or by mail to PO Box 143, Queenscliff VIC 3225 If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else to the SBEA Committee, nominations should be submitted by Volunteers busy in the nursery on a Sunday morning. 10 April 2020.
  • Download Full Article 2.9MB .Pdf File

    Download Full Article 2.9MB .Pdf File

    June 1946 MEM. NAT. Mus. V1cT., 14, PT. 2, 1946. https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mmv.1946.14.06 THE SUNKLANDS OF PORT PHILLIP BAY AND BASS STRAIT By R. A. Keble, F.G.S., Palaeontologist, National Jiiiseurn of Victoria. Figs. 1-16. (Received for publication 18th l\fay, 1945) The floors of Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait were formerly portions of a continuous land surface joining Victoria with Tasmania. This land surface was drained by a river system of which the Riv-er Y arra was part, and was intersected by two orogenic ridges, the Bassian and King Island ridges, near its eastern and western margins respectively. \Vith progressive subsidence and eustatic adjustment, these ridges became land bridges and the main route for the migration of the flora and fauna. At present, their former trend is indicated by the chains of islands in Bass Strait and the shallower portions of the Strait. The history of the development of the River Yarra is largely that of the former land surface and the King Island land bridge, and is the main theme for this discussion. The Yarra River was developed, for the most part, during the Pleistocene or Ice Age. In Tasmania, there is direct evidence of the Ice Age in the form of U-shaped valleys, raised beaches, strandlines, and river terraces, but in Victoria the effects of glaciation are less apparent. A correlation of the Victorian with the Tasmanian deposits and land forms, and, incidentally, with the European and American, can only be obtained by ascertaining the conditions of sedimentation and accumulation of such deposits in Victoria, as can be seen at the surface1 or as have been revealed by bores, particularly those on the N epean Peninsula; by observing the succession of river terraces along the Maribyrnong River; and by reconstructing the floor of Port Phillip Bay, King Bay, and Bass Strait, and interpreting the submerged land forms revealed by the bathymetrical contours.
  • Bellarine Peninsula Distinctive Areas and Landscapes

    Bellarine Peninsula Distinctive Areas and Landscapes

    Bellarine Peninsula Distinctive Areas and Landscapes Discussion Paper April 2020 Acknowledgments We acknowledge and respect Victorian Traditional Owners as the original custodians of Victoria's land and waters, their unique ability to care for Country and deep spiritual connection to it. We honour Elders past and present whose knowledge and wisdom has ensured the continuation of culture and traditional practices. We are committed to genuinely partner, and meaningfully engage, with Victoria's Traditional Owners and Aboriginal communities to support the protection of Country, the maintenance of spiritual and cultural practices and their broader aspirations in the 21st century and beyond. Photo credit Visit Victoria content hub © The State of Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence. You are free to re-use the work under that licence, on the condition that you credit the State of Victoria as author. The licence does not apply to any images, photographs or branding, including the Victorian Coat of Arms, the Victorian Government logo and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) logo. To view a copy of this licence, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ISBN 978-1-76105-023-7 (pdf/online/MS word) Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
  • Download Full Article 2.0MB .Pdf File

    Download Full Article 2.0MB .Pdf File

    Memoirs of the National Museum of Victoria 12 April 1971 Port Phillip Bay Survey 2 https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mmv.1971.32.08 8 INTERTIDAL ECOLOGY OF PORT PHILLIP BAY WITH SYSTEMATIC LIST OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS By R. J. KING,* J. HOPE BLACKt and SOPHIE c. DUCKER* Abstract The zonation is recorded at 14 stations within Port Phillip Bay. Any special features of a station arc di�cusscd in �elation to the adjacent stations and the whole Bay. The intertidal plants and ammals are listed systematically with references, distribution within the Bay and relevant comment. 1. INTERTIDAL ECOLOGY South-western Bay-Areas 42, 49, 50 By R. J. KING and J. HOPE BLACK Arca 42: Station 21 St. Leonards 16 Oct. 69 Introduction Arca 49: Station 4 Swan Bay Jetty, 17 Sept. 69 This account is basically coneerncd with the distribution of intertidal plants and animals of Eastern Bay-Areas 23-24, 35-36, 47-48, 55 Port Phillip Bay. The benthic flora and fauna Arca 23, Station 20, Ricketts Pt., 30 Sept. 69 have been dealt with in separate papers (Mem­ Area 55: Station 15 Schnapper Pt. 25 May oir 27 and present volume). 70 Following preliminary investigations, 14 Area 55: Station 13 Fossil Beach 25 May stations were selected for detailed study in such 70 a way that all regions and all major geological formations were represented. These localities Southern Bay-Areas 60-64, 67-70 are listed below and are shown in Figure 1. Arca 63: Station 24 Martha Pt. 25 May 70 For ease of comparison with Womersley Port Phillip Heads-Areas 58-59 (1966), in his paper on the subtidal algae, the Area 58: Station 10 Quecnscliff, 12 Mar.
  • Report Card 2018–19

    Report Card 2018–19

    Report Card 2018–19 Summary Contents A Report Card is made for the water quality in Port Phillip Bay, Western Port and the Summary ....................................................................................................................... 2 Gippsland Lakes and their catchments every year (Figure 1). Environment Protection Contents ........................................................................................................................ 2 Authority Victoria (EPA), Melbourne Water and the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning (DELWP) monitor the water quality in these regions for use in the report. What is the Report Card? ............................................................................................... 3 The Report Card uses key indicators of environmental water quality to calculate an overall How are the scores calculated? ...................................................................................... 3 score for a 12-month period, which generates a rating of ‘Very Poor’, ‘Poor’, ‘Fair’, ‘Good’ New objectives for analysing water quality ...................................................................... 3 or ‘Very Good’. This Report Card includes results from July 2018 to June 2019. Weather in 2018–19....................................................................................................... 3 Over the 2018–19 period, water quality in the bays, lakes and waterways was similar to Port Phillip Bay and catchment ......................................................................................
  • Western Port Ramsar Site Strategic Management Plan

    Western Port Ramsar Site Strategic Management Plan

    Western Port Ramsar Site Strategic Management Plan Department of Sustainability and Environment Parks Victoria developed this Strategic Management Plan in conjunction with the Department of Sustainability and Environment and key stakeholders and coordinated the public comment process on the draft document. This report was prepared with financial support from the National Wetlands Program, under the Natural Heritage Trust. © The State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment, 2003 This publication is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, copied, transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical or graphic) without the prior written permission of the State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment. All requests and enquires should be directed to the Copyright Officer, Library Information Services, Department of Sustainability and Environment, 240 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002. Disclaimers This publication may be of assistance to you and every effort has been made to ensure that the information in the report is accurate. The Department of Sustainability and Environment does not guarantee that the report is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. The views and opinions expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Commonwealth Government of Australia, the Federal Minister for Environment and Heritage, or Environment Australia.
  • Full Text in Pdf Format

    Full Text in Pdf Format

    MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES Vol. 148: 23-35,1997 Published March 20 Mar Ecol Prog Ser - -- Temporal and spatial variability in recruitment of a temperate, seagrass-associated fish is largely determined by physical processes in the pre- and post-settlement phases Gregory P. ~enkins',',Kerry P. lack', Melissa J. wheatley3,David N. Hatton1 'Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute and Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, PO Box 138, Queenscliff, Victoria 3225. Australia 'National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd, and Department of Earth Sciences, University of Waikato, PO Box 11-115, Hamilton, New Zealand 3~epartmentof Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia ABSTRACT: Post-settlement King George whiting Sillaginodes punctata were sampled every 3 to 4 d from mid-September to the end of October 1993, at 3 seagrass sites within Port Phillip Bay, Australia. The site closest to the entrance (St Leonards) showed short-lived pulses of recruits in low numbers. The site of intermediate distance into the bay (Grassy Point) showed a similar pattern; however, in this case there was a marked accumulation of recruits over time. In contrast, recruitment was low at the site furthest into the bay (Grand Scenlc), and the pattern was unlike the other sites. We simulated the transport of S punctata larvae into Port Phillip Bay over th~spenod using 2- and 3-dimensional hydrodynamic and dlspersal models. A hlgh proportion (two-thirds) of the variation in recruitment at St Leonards and Grassy Point could be explained by 2 factors. the predicted arrival of larvae based on passlve transport by currents, and disturbance of individual seagrass sites by wave action.
  • Port Phillip Regional Catchment.Indd

    Port Phillip Regional Catchment.Indd

    SUMMARYSUMMARY This booklet is a summary of the Port Phillip and Western Port Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS) 2004-2009, which was launched in December 2004. It includes the tables from the RCS which give an overview of its objectives and targets for catchment condition, and the 97 priority actions the RCS identifies for healthier catchments and bays in the region. The Port Phillip and Western Port region The Port Phillip and Western Port region is a spectacular, Major natural assets: diverse, productive, vibrant, valuable and exciting place. • 8 national parks, 6 state parks, 8 marine It includes Port Phillip Bay and Western Port plus their ocean protected areas, 3 frontages, French and Phillip Islands and the rivers and wetlands of streams of five catchments that flow to these bays. It contains international metropolitan Melbourne, a thriving international city that is importance and home to more than two-thirds of Victoria’s population. It is several sites of the hub of much of the State’s commercial, industrial and international and transport infrastructure, an important rural and agricultural national importance region and a centre of social and cultural interaction. for shorebirds • Port Phillip Bay and The activities, livelihoods and lifestyles of the region’s 3.4 Western Port which million urban and rural residents, and of the visitors who support generate an important tourism industry, depend on the commercial fishing, aquaculture, three major ports and sustainable use of its land and water, the health of its fauna Victoria’s most popular recreational and flora and the habitats they live in. These are our fishing areas.
  • Western Port Recreational Boating Guide

    Western Port Recreational Boating Guide

    Jobname : 69781 Maps Resolution : $[ResolutionX] $[ResolutionY] ProofProfile $[ICCProoferProfile] Signature : Map Brochure ScreenSys : $[ScreenSystem] PressProfile $[ICCPressProfile] Sheet/Color : FB 001 1 Front BlackCyanMagentaYellow ScreenRuling : $[ScreenRuling] PaperDim 94.0 * 66.0 cm Linearization : $[LinearizationCurve] DotShape : $[DotShape] Date/Time 25/05/2011 3:32:56 PM ProcessCal : $[ProcessCalCurve] Template : ImposePDF_LowRes CMY B C M Y B 70 C 70 CMY B C M Y M 70 CMY B C M Y CM CY CMY B C M Y Y 70 CMY B C M Y MY CMY CMY B C M Y M 70 CMY B C M Y slurC CMY B C M Y CMY B C M Y B 70 C 70 CMY B C M Y M 70 CMY B C M Y slurM CMY B C M Y Y 70 CMY B C M Y slurY CMY B C M Y C 70 CMY B C M Y Prinect 4GSi Format 102/105 Dipco 10.01b (pdf) © 2010 Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG CMY B C M Y M 70 CMY B C M Y CM CY CMY B C M Y Y 70 CMY B C M Y MY CMY CMY B C M Y M 70 CMY B C M Y slurC CMY B C M Y CMY B C M Y B 70 C 70 CMY B C M Y M 70 CMY B C M Y slurM CMY B C M YY 70CMY B C M Y slurY CMY B C M Y C 70 CMY B C M Y slurB CMY B C M Y −−−−−−−−−−−−−−− 1 −−−−−−−−−−−−−−− 2 −−−−−−−−−−−−−−− 3 −−−−−−−−−−−−−−− 4 −−−−−−−−−−−−−−− 5 −−−−−−−−−−−−−−− 6 −−−−−−−−−−−−−−− 7 −−−−−−−−−−−−−−− 8 −−−−−−−−−−−−−−− 9 −−−−−−−−−−−−−−− 10 −−−−−−−−−−−−−−− 11 −−−−−−−−−−−−−−− 12 −−−−−−−−−−−−−− B = B −−−−−−−−−−−−−− 14 −−−−−−−−−−−−−− C = C −−−−−−−−−−−−−− 16 −−−−−−−−−−−−− M = M −−−−−−−−−−−−− 18 −−−−−−−−−−−−−− Y = Y −−−−−−−−−−−−−− 20 −−−−−−−−−−−−−−− 21 −−−−−−−−−−−−−−− 22 −−−−−−−−−−−−−−− 23 −−−−−−−−−−−−−−− 24 −−−−−−−−−−−−−−− 25 −−−−−−−−−−−−−−− 26 −−−−−−−−−−−−−−− 27 −−−−−−−−−−−−−−−
  • Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands Categories Approved by Recommendation 4.7 of the Conference of the Contracting Parties

    Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands Categories Approved by Recommendation 4.7 of the Conference of the Contracting Parties

    Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands Categories approved by Recommendation 4.7 of the Conference of the Contracting Parties. 1. Date this sheet was completed/updated: FOR OFFICE USE ONLY. May 1999 DD MM YY 2. Country: Australia Designation date Site Reference Number 3. Name of wetland: Port Phillip Bay (Western Shoreline) and Bellarine Peninsula 4. Geographical coordinates: Latitude: (approx.) 370 53' S to 380 18' S; Longitude: (approx.) 1440 24' E to 1440 48' E 5. Altitude: Less than 10 metres above sea level. 6. Area: 22, 897 hectares Note: This is a revised area figure based on GIS Mapping (1995) and does not represent any change to the Ramsar Site boundary. 7. Overview: The site includes a variety of wetland types ranging from shallow marine waters to seasonal freshwater swamps and extensive sewage ponds which support a large and diverse population of migratory waders, seabirds and waterfowl; and demonstrate a range of geomorphic processes. Over 3 million people (70% if the State's population) live around the Bay which is used intensively for recreation. The opening of the Bay (Port Phillip heads) is very narrow, reducing tidal amplitude within the bay compared with in Bass Strait. The intertidal mudflats, seagrass beds and saltmarshes support a very large and diverse range of migratory wading birds, seabirds and wildfowl. 8. Wetland Type: marine-coastal: A B C D E F G H I J K inland: L M N O P Q R Sp Ss Tp Ts U Va Vt W Xf Xp Y Zg Zk man-made: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9.
  • Western Port Shorebirds Education Kit for Grades 5 & 6 Introduction Section A

    Western Port Shorebirds Education Kit for Grades 5 & 6 Introduction Section A

    Western Port Shorebirds Education Kit for Grades 5 & 6 Introduction Section A – Western Port Acknowledgements The ‘Western Port Shorebird Education Kit’ was developed by a postgraduate Monash University research team is association with the Bird Observer’s Club of Australia (BOCA). Monash University Research Team The four members of the research come from a variety of academic backgrounds (outlined below). Overall, the team encompasses a strong foundation in biology, environmental science and environmental engineering. The members of the research team are currently enrolled in a postgraduate Masters Degree in either ‘Corporate Environmental and Sustainability Management’ (MCESM) or ‘Environment and Sustainability’ (MES). The production of this education kit forms an important component of these Masters Degrees. Name Qualification/s Degree Jane Colton - Bachelor of Arts MES - Bachelor of Science Lena Deng - Bachelor of MCESM Environmental Science Jun Li - Bachelor of MES Engineering Remy Qi Wu - Bachelor of MES Engineering More information about shorebirds and Birdlife Australia education programs can be obtained at birdlife.org.au Contents About this kit 1 Introduction 2 Section A – Western Port 3 Section B – Shorebirds 10 Section C – Wetlands 19 Section D – Conservation 25 Section E – Activities 36 About this Kit This kit is a revised version of a kit written by students from Monash University in 2005, as part of their Masters of Environmental Science program. The kit was originally produced with Natural Heritage Trust funding for the Bird Observers Club of Australia (BOCA), later known as Bird Observation & Conservation Australia. The updates in this edition come as BOCA and Birds Australia merge to become BirdLife Australia.