Eighty-Mile Beach Ramsar Site, Report to the Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth, Western Australia
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Citation: Hale, J. and Butcher, R., 2009, Ecological Character Description of the Eighty-mile Beach Ramsar Site, Report to the Department of Environment and Conservation, Perth, Western Australia. Funding for the development of this document was sourced jointly from the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) and the State and Commonwealth contributions to the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAP). NHT and NAP are jointly administered by the Australian Government departments of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts and the WA Natural Resource Management Office. In-kind contributions were gratefully received from the organisations represented on the Technical Advisory Group. Expert Advice: Doug Watkins, Wetlands International Roger Jaensch, Wetlands International Danny Rogers, Australasian Wader Studies Group Halina Kobryn, Murdoch University Acknowledgements: Tamra Chapman – Department of Environment and Conservation Species and Communities Rob Clements – Australasian Wader Studies Group Michael Coote – Department of Environment and Conservation Wetlands Section Sharon Ferguson – Department of Environment and Conservation Kimberley Matt Fossey – Department of Environment and Conservation Marine Policy & Planning Rachel Green – Department of Fisheries Sarah Greenwood – Department of Environment and Conservation Planning & Estate Chris Hassell – Community representative Jennifer Higbid – Department of Environment and Conservation Wetlands Section Leanne Thompson – Department of Environment and Conservation Marine Policy & Planning John Lloyd – Department of Environment and Conservation Marine Policy & Planning Fiona Lynn – Department of Water Grant Pearson – Bennelongia Pty. Ltd. Andrew Silcocks – Birds Australia Troy Sinclair – Department of Environment and Conservation Kimberley Gareth Watkins – Department of Environment and Conservation Wetlands Section Judy Zuideveld – Department of Environment and Conservation Marine Policy & Planning Introductory Notes This Ecological Character Description (ECD Publication) has been prepared in accordance with the National Framework and Guidance for Describing the Ecological Character of Australia‟s Ramsar Wetlands (National Framework) (Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, 2008). The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) prohibits actions that are likely to have a significant impact on the ecological character of a Ramsar wetland unless the Commonwealth Environment Minister has approved the taking of the action, or some other provision in the EPBC Act allows the action to be taken. The information in this ECD Publication does not indicate any commitment to a particular course of action, policy position or decision. Further, it does not provide assessment of any particular action within the meaning of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth), nor replace the role of the Minister or his delegate in making an informed decision to approve an action. This ECD Publication is provided without prejudice to any final decision by the Administrative Authority for Ramsar in Australia on change in ecological character in accordance with the requirements of Article 3.2 of the Ramsar Convention. Disclaimer While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure the contents of this ECD are correct, the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities does not guarantee and accepts no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to the currency, accuracy, completeness, reliability or suitability of the information in this ECD. Note: There may be differences in the type of information contained in this ECD publication, to those of other Ramsar wetlands. Table of Contents Glossary ..................................................................................................................................... iii List of Abbreviations .................................................................................................................. v Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... vi 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Site details........................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Statement of purpose ....................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Relevant treaties, legislation and regulations .................................................................. 4 1.4 Method ............................................................................................................................. 5 2. General Description of the Eighty-mile Beach Ramsar Site .................................................. 7 2.1 Location ............................................................................................................................ 7 2.2 Land tenure ...................................................................................................................... 8 2.3 Climate ........................................................................................................................... 10 2.4 Wetland types ................................................................................................................ 13 2.5 Ramsar criteria ............................................................................................................... 16 2.5.1 Criteria under which the site was designated (1990) .............................................. 16 2.5.2 Assessment based on current information and Ramsar criteria ............................. 17 2.6 Overview of the site ....................................................................................................... 21 3. Critical Components and Processes ................................................................................... 23 3.1 Identifying critical components and processes .............................................................. 23 3.2 The Beach (Eighty-mile Beach coastal strip) ................................................................. 25 3.2.1 Geomorphology, geology and soils ......................................................................... 26 3.2.2 Hydrology ................................................................................................................ 26 3.2.3 Primary productivity and nutrient cycling................................................................. 27 3.2.4 Invertebrates ........................................................................................................... 27 3.2.5 Fish .......................................................................................................................... 28 3.2.6 Waterbirds ............................................................................................................... 28 3.2.6 Marine turtles ........................................................................................................... 32 3.3 Mandora Salt Marsh ....................................................................................................... 33 3.3.1 Geomorphology, geology and soils ......................................................................... 33 3.3.2 Hydrology ................................................................................................................ 34 3.3.3 Water quality ........................................................................................................... 34 3.3.4 Primary productivity and nutrient cycling................................................................. 35 3.3.5 Vegetation ............................................................................................................... 36 3.3.6 Invertebrates ........................................................................................................... 37 3.3.7 Birds ........................................................................................................................ 38 4 Critical ecosystembenefits and services .............................................................................. 41 4.1 Overview of benefits and services ................................................................................. 41 4.2 Identifying critical ecosystem services and benefits ...................................................... 42 4.3 Contains large wetland types and includes rare wetlands of special scientific interest. 42 4.4 Supports significant numbers of migratory birds ............................................................ 46 4.5 Supports waterbird breeding .......................................................................................... 48 4.6 Supports marine turtles .................................................................................................. 50 4.7 Supports tourism ............................................................................................................ 51 4.8 Provides significant indigenous cultural values ............................................................. 51 5. Threats to Ecological Character .......................................................................................... 53