Coast in spotlight

A NEW and vegetation focussed protocol for assessing the condition of mangroves and coastal saltmarsh was recently trialled by local Landcare and agency staff.
The protocol was developed by wetland ecologist, Paul Boon and captured the inventory, ecological condition and threat information for mangroves and coastal saltmarsh in the Corner Inlet-Nooramunga region.
Mr Boon was lead co-author of the recent (2008-2011) State-wide assessment of the extent and condition of coastal wetlands (including mangroves and saltmarsh) for Victoria.
The two day trial began at Yarram with an informative presentation from Mr Boon about the value, assessment and management of the Corner Inlet-Nooramunga wetlands.
He explained how climate change and sea level rise will have an impact on mangrove and coastal saltmarsh vegetation in temperate Australia, with conditions favourable to the growth of mangroves over saltmarsh.
Mr Boon explained the three factors that underpin effective management and conservation of coastal wetlands.
“Regardless of their location, effective management and conservation of coastal wetlands requires an adequate inventory, an assessment of the ecological condition and threats, and thirdly on-going monitoring,” he said.
Following the presentation, the group put this theory into practice at a property near Manns Beach.
Two transects were deployed perpendicular to the shore, starting at the low tide level and into the estuarine flats grassland (EVC 14), passing through different wetland types such as mangrove shrubland (EVC 140).
Square quadrats, one by one metre, were then positioned at distances along the transects.
Following this, species were recorded, as was the cover/abundance of native vegetation and/or weeds in each quadrat.
Once the transects were laid and quadrats assessed, an assessment was made of the incidence of a range of pre-determined threats at the site such as for example, erosion or weeds.
The process was repeated the next day with a field trial at Gellions Run, at the mouth of the Albert River south of Alberton. Yarram Yarram Landcare project officer Samantha Monks said, “The assessment protocol will enable consistency in the way we map, assess and monitor mangroves and coastal saltmarsh across the region.
“It will be useful to compare current assessments with assessments in subsequent years to track the advances or retreats in vegetation communities, as well as mangrove encroachment and erosion fronts, etc.
“It was a great experience to be part of the protocol development process and to have one-on-one training in the field with an amazingly talented wetland ecologist.”
The protocol will be used as part of the Corner Inlet Connections program to assist in the prioritisation of on-ground works, as well as assist in determining if there is improvement in ecological condition of these areas following on-ground works through monitoring (five to 10 years later).
Corner Inlet’s lesser known and interesting facets will be unmasked as part of a Discover Corner Inlet event being held on Thursday, February 12 at the old Port Welshpool Ferry Terminal from 10.15am to 2.30pm. See the advertisement on page 28for more information.
Visit http://www.sustainabilitygippsland.com/event/discover-corner-inlet for more information or to RSVP or contact the South Gippsland Landcare Network on 5662 5759 or email [email protected].

Inspecting coast: undertaking research into mangroves and saltmarsh at Corner Inlet were, from left, Sally-Ann Henderson, Yarram Yarram Landcare Network; Tracey Jones, West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority; Kate Williams, South Gippsland Landcare Network; wetland ecologist, Paul Boon and Bruce Atkin, CoastCare. Photo courtesy of Samantha Monks, Yarram Yarram Landcare Network.

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Posted by Sarah Vella on Feb 3 2015. Filed under Rural News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry