Catchment management and health of coastal ecosystems: synthesis and future research

F. J. Kroon; J. Brodie

doi:10.1071/MF09228

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Previous Contents Vol 60(11)

Catchment management and health of coastal ecosystems: synthesis and future research

F. J. Kroon ^A ^C and J. Brodie ^B

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, PO Box 780, Atherton, Qld 4883, Australia.

^B Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia.

^C Corresponding author. Email: frederieke.kroon@csiro.au

Marine and Freshwater Research 60(11) 1196-1200 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF09228
Submitted: 9 September 2009 Accepted: 23 September 2009 Published: 17 November 2009

Abstract

Globally, many coastal ecosystems are threatened by a decline in water quality from land-based runoff. However, dynamic and complex biophysical and socioeconomic interdependencies often hamper the reversal of this decline in water quality. This Special Issue illustrates an integrated approach to address deteriorating water quality from land-based runoff in the Tully basin to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), Australia. Nitrate was identified as the key pollutant, and was mainly derived from sugarcane and banana farms. To achieve GBR water quality targets for chlorophyll a, the dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) load needs to be reduced by at least 80%. Modelling shows that financially beneficial changes to management of sugarcane results in a 50% reduction in DIN load. However, larger reductions would come at a significant cost. An adaptive approach is proposed as a framework to assess (i) the efficacy of implementing the recommended management practices, and (ii) progress against set targets. Quantification of linkages between catchment management and coastal ecosystem health will help inform management strategies based on ecosystem performance measures. Verification of the efficacy of existing and exploration of innovative management strategies, as well as spatial and temporal prioritisation of their implementation, remain critical to achieve coastal ecosystem rehabilitation, including water quality improvement.

Additional keywords: Great Barrier Reef, integrated assessment, water quality.

Acknowledgements

The authors were supported by CSIRO’s Water for a Healthy Country Flagship Program. Comments by Andrew Boulton, Iain Gordon and Scott Wilkinson improved this manuscript.

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