Intertidal Wetlands - Nature and rate of change
The nature of change impacting on Intertidal Wetlands refers to the types of change.
The rate of change impacting on Intertidal Wetlands refers to the speed of the change and its impacts.
Overview:
Natural changes such as salinity, tides, deposition, etc. These are gradual changes and happen over a long period of time. The ecosystem still functions more or less the same way.
Human-induced changes such as development, clearing, etc. These usually occur over a short period of time. These may completely alter the way the ecosystem functions.
The most significant change that is and will impact on Intertidal Wetlands is climate change and the associated sea level rise. It is anticipated that this will dramatically impact on the location, size and functioning of ecosystems.
Nature of change
We have discussed previously that the ecosystem is in a constant state of flux (it is always changing) as a result of weather, tides, sediment flow, etc. An example of a natural change is that changes in humidity levels in the atmosphere can cause stress in plants impacting on animals. Change under these conditions will be slow. However the most significant changes impacting on Intertidal Wetlands are human-induced changes. The following syllabus dot point will enable us to explore all the human impacts in detail. An example of a human impact is that increased nutrients from run-off and sewage can cause algal blooms affecting ecosystems severely. The most significant issue affecting Intertidal Wetlands at present and into the future is climate change and the associated sea level rise.
Impact of climate change on Intertidal Wetlands
Intertidal wetlands are under pressure from rising sea levels associated with climate change.
Previously intertidal wetlands were able to adapt to changes in sea levels by moving further inland.
The biggest hurdle to wetlands being able to adapt to change in sea level rise and move inland is the location of human development. This will be a problem particularly along the east coast of Australia.
The change in climate will also result in changed patterns to erosion, sediment deposition and salinity levels.
The distribution and abundance of mangroves and saltmarshes will change depending on the rate of sea level rise. It is thought that mangroves may initially benefit from sea level rise. In the past, mangroves have been able to deal with sea level rises by increasing elevation (moving further inland and upslope). The mangroves will invade the salt marsh areas in a struggle to find new places to survive. This will result in a decline in the size of salt marsh areas. If sea level continues to rise or accelerates, even mangroves will have difficulty
surviving.
There is a risk that Intertidal Wetlands will go locally extinct in certain area, along with the birds, fish and other wildlife reliant on the ecosystem.
Intertidal wetlands are used for a variety of human uses and have undergone dramatic changes in most areas - farmed, reclaimed, used for industry, transport and recreation, e.g. Sydney Grey Mangrove has been extensively cleared. 90% of all the grey mangrove left in Sydney is found at Towra Point.
The rate of change impacting on Intertidal Wetlands refers to the speed of the change and its impacts.
Overview:
Natural changes such as salinity, tides, deposition, etc. These are gradual changes and happen over a long period of time. The ecosystem still functions more or less the same way.
Human-induced changes such as development, clearing, etc. These usually occur over a short period of time. These may completely alter the way the ecosystem functions.
The most significant change that is and will impact on Intertidal Wetlands is climate change and the associated sea level rise. It is anticipated that this will dramatically impact on the location, size and functioning of ecosystems.
Nature of change
We have discussed previously that the ecosystem is in a constant state of flux (it is always changing) as a result of weather, tides, sediment flow, etc. An example of a natural change is that changes in humidity levels in the atmosphere can cause stress in plants impacting on animals. Change under these conditions will be slow. However the most significant changes impacting on Intertidal Wetlands are human-induced changes. The following syllabus dot point will enable us to explore all the human impacts in detail. An example of a human impact is that increased nutrients from run-off and sewage can cause algal blooms affecting ecosystems severely. The most significant issue affecting Intertidal Wetlands at present and into the future is climate change and the associated sea level rise.
Impact of climate change on Intertidal Wetlands
Intertidal wetlands are under pressure from rising sea levels associated with climate change.
Previously intertidal wetlands were able to adapt to changes in sea levels by moving further inland.
The biggest hurdle to wetlands being able to adapt to change in sea level rise and move inland is the location of human development. This will be a problem particularly along the east coast of Australia.
The change in climate will also result in changed patterns to erosion, sediment deposition and salinity levels.
The distribution and abundance of mangroves and saltmarshes will change depending on the rate of sea level rise. It is thought that mangroves may initially benefit from sea level rise. In the past, mangroves have been able to deal with sea level rises by increasing elevation (moving further inland and upslope). The mangroves will invade the salt marsh areas in a struggle to find new places to survive. This will result in a decline in the size of salt marsh areas. If sea level continues to rise or accelerates, even mangroves will have difficulty
surviving.
There is a risk that Intertidal Wetlands will go locally extinct in certain area, along with the birds, fish and other wildlife reliant on the ecosystem.
Intertidal wetlands are used for a variety of human uses and have undergone dramatic changes in most areas - farmed, reclaimed, used for industry, transport and recreation, e.g. Sydney Grey Mangrove has been extensively cleared. 90% of all the grey mangrove left in Sydney is found at Towra Point.
IUCN Asian Coastal Wetlands.
Vulnerability of mangroves and tidal wetlands of the Great Barrier Reef to climate change.
NOAA report highlights climate change threats to nation's estuaries.
Vulnerability of mangroves and tidal wetlands of the Great Barrier Reef to climate change.
NOAA report highlights climate change threats to nation's estuaries.