Structure and Function of South-east Australian Estuaries

Roy, Peter S.; Williams, Robert J.; Jones, Alan R.; Yassini, I.; Gibbs, Philip; Coates, Brianna; West, R. J.; Scanes, Peter; Hudson, JP; Nichol, Scott L.

doi:10.1006/ecss.2001.0796

Cited by 627 publications

(515 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…Salinity is the main physical parameter that influences demographic processes in fish and is linked with freshwater input; however, freshwater flow also influences turbidity, pH and temperature. In contrast to northern hemisphere estuaries, Australian estuaries are characterised by irregular freshwater flow regimes (Roy et al 2001). This has become particularly noticeable in south-eastern Australia, with recent drought conditions (which have been linked to climate change) causing declining abundances of estuarine fish (Gillson et al 2009).…”

Section: Freshwater Flow Estuarine Fishesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detecting range shifts among Australian fishes in response to climate change

Booth

Bond

Macreadie

2011

Mar. Freshwater Res.

144

136

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Abstract. One of the most obvious and expected impacts of climate change is a shift in the distributional range of organisms, which could have considerable ecological and economic consequences. Australian waters are hotspots for climate-induced environmental changes; here, we review these potential changes and their apparent and potential implications for freshwater, estuarine and marine fish. Our meta-analysis detected ,300 papers globally on 'fish' and 'range shifts', with ,7% being from Australia. Of the Australian papers, only one study exhibited definitive evidence of climate-induced range shifts, with most studies focussing instead on future predictions. There was little consensus in the literature regarding the definition of 'range', largely because of populations having distributions that fluctuate regularly. For example, many marine populations have broad dispersal of offspring (causing vagrancy). Similarly, in freshwater and estuarine systems, regular environmental changes (e.g. seasonal, ENSO cycles -not related to climate change) cause expansion and contraction of populations, which confounds efforts to detect range 'shifts'. We found that increases in water temperature, reduced freshwater flows and changes in ocean currents are likely to be the key drivers of climateinduced range shifts in Australian fishes. Although large-scale frequent and rigorous direct surveys of fishes across their entire distributional ranges, especially at range edges, will be essential to detect range shifts of fishes in response to climate change, we suggest careful co-opting of fisheries, museum and other regional databases as a potential, but imperfect alternative.

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Section: Freshwater Flow Estuarine Fishesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detecting range shifts among Australian fishes in response to climate change

Booth

Bond

Macreadie

2011

Mar. Freshwater Res.

144

136

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“…The southeastern Australian coastline largely comprises wave dominated barrier estuaries in various evolutionary stages (Roy et al 2001). Saltmarsh establishment is generally restricted to the central mud basin where low energy conditions prevail (Harris and Heap 2003).…”

Section: Saltmarsh Distribution and Geomorphologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Evolution of wave dominated estuaries is well documented (Roy et al 2001;Roy 1984;Roy et al 1980), particularly for southeastern The causes of mangrove encroachment into saltmarsh remains a topic of active investigation.…”

Section: Recent Changes In the Extent Of Australian Saltmarshmentioning

confidence: 99%

The significance and vulnerability of Australian saltmarshes: implications for management in a changing climate

Saintilan¹,

Rogers

2013

Mar. Freshwater Res.

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We review the distribution, status and ecology of Australian saltmarshes and the mechanisms whereby enhanced atmospheric carbon dioxide and associated climate change have influenced and will influence the provision of ecosystem goods and services. Research in temperate and subtropical saltmarsh has demonstrated important trophic contributions to estuarine fisheries, mediated by the synchronised massspawning of crabs, which feed predominantly on the C-4 saltmarsh grass Sporobolus virginicus and microphytobenthos. Saltmarshes also provide unique feeding and habitat opportunities for several species of threatened microbats and birds, including migratory shorebirds. Saltmarshes increased in extent relative to mangrove in Australia in both tide-and wave-dominated geomorphic settings through the latter Holocene, although historic trends have seen a reversal of this trend. Australian saltmarshes have some capacity to maintain elevation with respect to rising sea level, although in south-eastern Australia, the encroachment of mangrove and, in Tasmania, conversion of shrubland to herbfield in the past half-century are consistent with changes in relative sea level. Modelling of the impacts of projected sea-level rise, incorporating sedimentation and other surface-elevation drivers, suggests that the survival of saltmarsh in developed estuaries will depend on the flexible management of hard structures and other impediments to wetland retreat.

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“…wide basins and the narrow, lower saline reaches of the tributaries, and that, when open, they possess a short and narrow entrance channel (Hodgkin and Lenanton, 1981). Many of the larger estuaries along the southern coasts of eastern Australia and Africa likewise contain distinct basin and riverine regions (Day, 1981, Potter et al, 1990and Roy et al, 2001. The structure of the vast majority of these estuaries contrasts markedly with the wedge shape typically exhibited by estuaries in macrotidal temperate regions of the northern hemisphere (Day, 1981).…”

Section: Comparisons Of Trends Exhibited By Environmental Characterismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The estuaries of southern Australia and southern Africa, which are located in microtidal regions, are of relatively recent origin, having commenced their formation during the Holocene marine transgression only about 7000 years ago (Hodgkin and Hesp, 1998, Cooper, 2001and Roy et al, 2001. They typically consist of a narrow and short entrance channel, a wide central basin area and the saline lower reaches of their tributaries (Day, 1981 andHodgkin andLenanton, 1981).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%