Estuarine, Coastal & Marine

The National Land & Water Resources Audit (the Audit) developed the framework for consistent collection and collation of natural resource data across Australia.

The National NRM Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (NM&EF) called for the identification of key topics or ‘matters for target’. Each matter for target has a set of ‘indicators’ that will be used to monitor and report on the topic.

Initially, 31 potential indicators were developed to measure the effect of the stressors on ecosystem condition (physical/chemical and biological) and habitat extent (Scheltinga et al., 2004). These indicators were reviewed at a national workshop (Souter and McKenzie, 2006) and further refined to 19 nationally agreed indicators.

Drawing on a series of state/territory trials and national consultations; the documentation for the indicators has been modified from a “protocol” format that sought to define both measurement standards and reporting (information) products to one that presents “guidelines” for the collection and storage of monitoring data.

These “indicator guidelines” should be used as standards for the collection, collation and storage of data in order to assist NRM service providers and community groups make observations that can potentially be pooled and re-used at a later date.

Ten ECM indicators were prioritised and guidelines have been developed through extensive consultation and reviewed by key experts in the field.

Matter for target: Estuarine coastal and marine habitat integrity

Indicator heading: Estuarine, coastal and marine habitat extent and distribution

Indicator (recommended):

• Extent/distribution of key habitat types

Indicator heading: Estuarine, coastal and marine habitat condition

Indicators (recommended):

Biological condition:

• Algal blooms
• Animal or plant species abundance
• Chlorophyll a
• Coral bleaching
• Cass mortality events
• Pest species (number, density, distribution)
• Targeted pathogen counts
• Vertebrates impacted by human activities

Physical/chemical condition:

• Dissolved oxygen
• Nutrients
• pH
• Presence / extent of litter (marine debris)
• Salinity (EC)
• Sedimentation/erosion rates
• Shoreline position
• Temperature
• Toxicants (in water / sediments/ biota)
• Turbidity / water clarity

Background information on this matter for target and associated indicators can be found at the Natural Resource Management website.

Trial Regions

Sponsor Agencies

Primary portfolio responsibility for the estuarine, coastal and marine theme lies with the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.

National Coordination

The National Coordination Committee is the Intergovernmental Coastal Advisory Group (ICAG). The Audit worked with ICAG and the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) to reach national agreement on a set of resource condition indicators, building on previous work by the Cooperative Research Centre for Coastal Zone, Estuary and Waterway Management (Coastal CRC).

The national coordinator was Richard Mount, University of Tasmania. Richard was appointed to oversee the implementation of the work plan and to ensure coordination between various projects.

National Database

Geoscience Australia hosts the OzEstuaries database. This database provides comprehensive information about Australian estuaries and coastal waterways. This information helps to generate a better understanding of coastal environments, the complex processes that occur in them, the potential environmental health issues and how to recognise and deal with these issues. Visit the OzEstuaries website for more information.

Audit Related Publications