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Marine and Freshwater Research Marine and Freshwater Research Society
Advances in the aquatic sciences
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

A deep dive into the ecology of Gamay (Botany Bay, Australia): current knowledge and future priorities for this highly modified coastal waterway

T. P. Stelling-Wood https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3970-4382 A B * , P. E. Gribben B C D , G. Birch E , M. J. Bishop F , C. Blount G , D. J. Booth H , C. Brown https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0210-1820 F , E. Bruce E , A. B. Bugnot https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6451-0307 A B U , M. Byrne B I , R. G. Creese F , K. A. Dafforn B F , J. Dahlenburg J , M. A. Doblin B K , T. E. Fellowes https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8220-4581 E , A. M. Fowler L , M. C. Gibbs B E M , W. Glamore N , T. M. Glasby D O , A. C. Hay P , B. Kelaher https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7505-4412 Q , N. A. Knott R , A. W. D. Larkum K , L. M. Parker B C , E. M. Marzinelli https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3762-3389 A , M. Mayer-Pinto C D , B. Morgan E , S. A. Murray H , M. J. Rees O , P. M. Ross A B , M. Roughan C , N. Saintilan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9226-2005 F , E. Scanes B K , J. R. Seymour K , N. Schaefer B F , I. M. Suthers https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9340-7461 B C D , M. D. Taylor O , J. E. Williamson F , A. Vila Concejo E , R. J. Whittington S T and W. F. Figueira A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

B Sydney Institute of Marine Science, 19 Chowder Bay Road, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia.

C Centre of Marine Science and Innovation, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.

D School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.

E Geocoastal Research Group, School of Geosciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

F School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.

G Stantec Australia Pty Ltd, PO Box 19, Saint Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia.

H School of Life Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.

I School of Medical Sciences and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

J Environmental Protection Authority Victoria, Carlton, Vic. 3053, Australia.

K Climate Change Cluster, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia.

L NSW Department of Primary Industries, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Chowder Bay Road, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia.

M School of History and Philosophy of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

N Water Research Laboratory, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2093, Australia.

O NSW Department of Primary Industries, Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, Nelson Bay, NSW 2315, Australia.

P Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.

Q National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia.

R Marine Ecosystems Research, NSW Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 89, Huskisson, NSW 2540, Australia.

S Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

T Marine Studies Institute, School of Geosciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

U Present address: CSIRO Environment, Saint Lucia, Qld 4067, Australia.

* Correspondence to: tste5627@gmail.com

Handling Editor: Max Finlayson

Marine and Freshwater Research 74(12) 1003-1025 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF22268
Submitted: 15 December 2022  Accepted: 22 May 2023   Published: 19 July 2023

© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Context: Gamay is a coastal waterway of immense social, cultural and ecological value. Since European settlement, it has become a hub for industrialisation and human modification. There is growing desire for ecosystem-level management of urban waterways, but such efforts are often challenged by a lack of integrated knowledge.

Aim and methods: We systematically reviewed published literature and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), and consulted scientists to produce a review of Gamay that synthesises published knowledge of Gamay’s aquatic ecosystem to identify knowledge gaps and future research opportunities.

Key results: We found 577 published resources on Gamay, of which over 70% focused on ecology. Intertidal rocky shores were the most studied habitat, focusing on invertebrate communities. Few studies considered multiple habitats or taxa. Studies investigating cumulative human impacts, long-term trends and habitat connectivity are lacking, and the broader ecological role of artificial substrate as habitat in Gamay is poorly understood. TEK of Gamay remains a significant knowledge gap. Habitat restoration has shown promising results and could provide opportunities to improve affected habitats in the future.

Conclusion and implications: This review highlights the extensive amount of knowledge that exists for Gamay, but also identifies key gaps that need to be filled for effective management.

Keywords: Australia, Botany Bay, Cooks River, estuary, First Nations people, Gamay, Georges River, Kamay, traditional ecological knowledge, urbanisation.


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