Literature Review on Wetlands and Climate Change Essay Example

Literature Review on Wetlands and Climate Change Essay SOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITIY, FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT. IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AUSTRALIAN WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS Assessment 1: BIO01204 Aisling Hall 21620531 3/29/2010 1 Aisling Hall 21620531 BIO01204 Table of Contents IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AUSTRALIAN WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS . 3 Abstract . 3 Introduction IMPORTANCE OF WETLANDS . 4 CLIMATE CHANGE 6 MANAGEMENT.. 7 CONCLUSION .. References . 9 2 Aisling Hall 21620531 BIO01204 IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON AUSTRALIAN WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS Abstract There is little argument that our climate is changing seen in the increase of temperatures, decrease in snow cover, sea level rises and changes in precipitation intensity and distribution. Wetland ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to these changes as they rely on water flow and ground water for their functionality. In return wetlands filter water and support a high diversity and abundance of life often endemic and critical to the success of phases of certain plant and animals life cycles. Due to the diversity of wetlands their management and protection has been slow and often unsuccessful. Scientific research has raised awareness of their importance in mitigation of climate change through acting as carbon sinks and habitat for significant species, so through education and stronger state and national water management plans wetlands have the chance to continue playing a vital role in our environment. N. Campbell 2009). Many of Australia’s Wetlands hold strong cultural and spiritual significance to Aboriginal people as they are a diverse resource that may have been used for many generations and may support certain ‘totemic’ plants and animals endemic to that small ecosystem (Department of Environment 2008). Climate Change will affect wetlands natural structure, functions and di stribution through temperature rises, changes in distribution, intensity and frequency of rain, sea level rise and stronger anthropogenic pressure as our world warms (T. Walshe 2008). We will write a custom essay sample on Literature Review on Wetlands and Climate Change specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Literature Review on Wetlands and Climate Change specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Literature Review on Wetlands and Climate Change specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Since the 1950s mean temperatures in Australia have increased 0. 1-0. 2 °C per decade with the greatest warming inland and stronger storm and floods along the coasts (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2007). Introduction Wetlands are an important part of Australia’s natural environment. They contain a wide diversity of life providing habit and supporting plants and animals that may be found nowhere else. Australia has more than 900 nationally important wetlands in coastal and inland locations, 65 of those are currently listed as Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance (Department of the Environment 2009). Wetlands are highly specialised ecosystems with functions that aid in nutrient cycling, act as carbon stores and improve water quality by filtering the passing water. Coastal wetlands create a barrier effect which protects surrounding environments from flooding, pollution and erosion. Both coastal and inland wetlands sustain a high abundance of plant and animal life delivering rich habitat for food, shelter and protection for nesting for millions of waterfowl, birds and other vertebrates. Wetlands facilitate important stages of fisheries life cycles acting as nurseries for important fish stocks. They also aid in productivity of agriculture in floodplain pastures and valuable resource in times of drought The effects of climate change will alter all aspects of wetlands of each diversity. Increased temperatures and a decrease in rain causing a reduction of snow will strongly affect inland alpine wetlands as well as down the river as reduced water flows will be unable to support all of Australia’s 3 Aisling Hall 21620531 BIO01204 mportant waterways. Sixty of Australia’s Ramsar Wetlands are dependent on flow from other rivers. Less frequency of flood or an increase of flood will result in a decline in diversity and health of the wetland ecosystem which will in turn affect the values for which they were listed as international significant wetlands (D. Lindenmayer 2008). As seventy percent of Australia’s tropical coastline are mangrove and salt marsh a r ise in sea level will have strong impacts on the health and distribution of its inhabitants and associated economic uses (T. Smith 2009). Ultimately the impacts of climate change on wetlands will affect the biodiversity in Australia by forcing redistribution of species which will affect lifecycles, abundance of food and ecosystem structure. Many plants and animals will not be able to cope with the rapid changes it may take to adapt and relocate so we will see a strong change in the diversity, abundance and location of these ecosystems (D. A. Roshier 2001). These changes to the physical and biological conditions of the environment will have cultural, social and economic ramifications for Australia’s future (I. Eliot 1999). reeks and the like or characterised by having constant fluctuating water at the root zone. They can be found far inland between dry terrestrial systems as isolated basins or along tidal regions or connected to rivers, lakes and estuaries (W. Mitsch 2007). There is a strong difference in type and location of wetlands but they share the same roles in a landscape from providing habitat to influenc ing water quality through nutrient cycling and retention of particles. However the functional capacity of wetlands is only able to continue provided that they are not exhausted beyond their critical loading limit (H. Hemond 1988). Water Quality: The effects of wetlands on water quality depend on the location and chemical and biological composition of the system. The wetlands among riparian areas that boarder uplands are important sites for nitrogen processing and retention of larger sediment particles, whereas the wetlands downstream have reduced flow rates as surface water passes through plant litter and retain finer particles and phosphorous. Riverine systems also play a large role in processing nutrients and retaining sediment particles, especially during flood events which is an important function in raising The intention of this Literature review is to investigate the range of effects climate change will have on the diverse variety of wetland environments around Australia and examine the management strategies and policies that have been put in place to protect the future of our wetlands capacity to remain a strongly unique and integral part of Australia’s biodiversity. water quality to benefit all forms of life (D. Whigham 1988). Mangrove are important specialized wetlands in tropical Australia as they trap sediment from flood and filter the water heading into the ocean in regions prone to high rainfall intensity and flash flooding (T. Smith 2009). Sediments in water can be detrimental to water quality and productivity. Turbidity caused by suspended particles decrease availability of sunlight thus decreasing the production of photosynthesis and oxygen production. What’s more if the particles are high in organic matter the biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen IMPORTANCE OF WETLANDS Wetland Functions: Wetlands are distinguished by the presence of water at the surface or within the root zone such as billabongs, swap, marsh, mangroves and tidal 4 Aisling Hall 21620531 BIO01204 emand will further lower the dissolved oxygen level, which in turn lower the productivity of the ecosystem. Wetland unique hydrology and morphology enable them to act as specialized sinks, transformers and sources which enables them to clean and filter the passing water (W. Mitsch 2007). These functions are important to quality of life in the environment as it allows the reduction of bacteria and viruses from the water through simp le detention while natural die-back occurs and/ or aided by toxic root excretions of specialised wetland plants or ingestion by protozoa that feed on bacteria (D. Whigham 1988). accountable of 25% of its atmospheric levels, however they are the most effective ecosystem in retaining carbon by acting as sinks retaining 30% or more of global soil organic carbon sequested in sediment, peat and plant biomass which in turn balance the affects and have been referred to as ‘climate change neutral’ (W. Mitsch 2007). Estuarine wetlands have a minimal release of greenhouse gases due to the inhibition of methanogenesis by sulphates. They also have a carbon sequestion capacity per area much higher than any other and if left undisturbed are able to store carbon for a millennia. It has been studied that the rate of carbon sequestration in restored wetlands can exceed that of natural wetlands (A. J. Howe 2009). Ultimately the ability of estuarine wetlands to continue sequestering carbon depends on their ability to adapt to changes in environmental conditions and warming of the environment will increase the risk of carbon being lost back to the environment (W. Mitsch 2007). These risks along with human development destroying estuarine wetlands puts wetlands at further risk and increases the negative effects for all living biota due to climate change. This is strong evidence to suggest protection and rehabilitation of wetlands will be imperative to reducing the increase of carbon and slowing the process of climate change. Nutrient Cycling: Plant Nutrient Removal is an important feature of wetlands as water passes through the system and feeds other areas. Nitrogen and phosphorus are important elements to plant production but in excess amounts can detieriate the health of the water through the consequences of eutrophication (T. Smith 2009). Wetlands receive nitrogen and phosphorus from anthropogenic and natural sources, the nutrient loading being highly dependent on topography, location and precipitation. Increases in rain causing flooding and run off into wetlands are major causes of excessive nutrients. Fortunately wetlands natural slowing of flow rate allows nutrient uptake from plants and animals and retain nitrogen through sedimentation which enables dentrification by bacteria who release nitrogen into the atmosphere (D. Whigham 1988). Biodiversity: The variety of wetland habitats provides for a diverse range of biotic communities, many specific Carbon Sinks: The function of wetlands in the global carbon cycle is important for reducing climate change. Wetlands cover only 6% of the earth’s surface and hold 12% of the global carbon pool (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2007). Wetlands high productivity can also produce methane and can be to the individual wetland. Australia is home to 600 000-700 000 species and 80% of the plants and mammals, 40% of our birds are endemic to our nation (D. Lindenmayer 2008). Most of these species rely directly or indirectly on wetland ecosystems and functions at some stage of life. Most of Australia’s waterbirds are endemic and frequent arid Zones of the continent and upwards of 5 Aisling Hall 21620531 BIO01204 8 million are estimated to use wetlands of our arid interior (D. Nielsen 2009). Many other migratory birds and fish species rely on wetlands for food, shelter and safe breeding grounds which owe Australia the responsibility of continuing to ensure this resource is available to them as they are a shared species with other nations. Flow is a large factor in the wetland ecosystems biotic composition and many aquatic species have evolved in direct response to their environment. This makes them extremely vulnerable to any changes in frequency and intensity of rainfall events and the redistribution of rain accompanying climate change will alter the future of wetlands biodiversity (S. Bunn 2002). Accumulation of salts due to evaporation or rise in water table will shift species-rich freshwater communities to species-poor salt tolerant communities. The wetlands resilience or adaption will differ in ecological response to these changes owed to the duration and rate the changes occur, resulting in possible permanent distribution and community structure changes to extinction of some species (D. Nielsen 2009). development in coastal zones, wetland plant and animal species may not be able to adapt or retreat from the effects of rising waters as there simply may be nowhere to go (T. Smith 2009). It has been predicted that a rise in temperature in the tropics will transport a greater mass of water vapour towards higher latitudes. This will result in a decrease in precipitation in lower latitudes having a drying affect on wetlands, and an increase in precipitation in higher latitudes which will create more flooding affects on the wetlands (T. Walshe 2008). Sea Level: Rises in sea level will have negative effects on coastal wetlands due to an increase of salinity and inundation of higher water levels and changes in temperature and tidal movement. Encroaching tides will change the movement of sediment altering the turbidity and affecting productivity where effects will be seen cascading up the trophic web. The direct effects will differ depending on the type of wetland community. Given a slow event of sea level rise coastal wetlands may be able to migrate inland providing management allows adequate CLIMATE CHANGE Climate influences almost every aspect of a wetland ecosystem; abiotic factors such as wind, rain and temperature directly and indirectly affect species distribution and abundance, as well as the wetlands composition, function and cycling of nutrients. IPCC 2007 report estimates that global mean sea level will rise by up to 0. 59 m by 2100 which will have adverse effects on coastal wetlands as they will be inundated with sea water, banks will be eroded, resulting in damage to fringe vegetation, suffer stronger tidal surges and changes in temperature and salinity. Due to high urban pace for new communities to establish otherwise they may become extinct in many areas (C. Akumu 2009). Another prediction is that freshwater wetlands along the coast will be replaced with the expanse of large wetland ecosystems and more southerly distribution of salt marshes and mangroves (L. Hughes 2003). Sydney Universities Dr. Eleanor Bruce has used models to predict that wetlands of iconic Homebush Bay would experience a 40% loss of habitat by 2100 due to sea level rise which will have large environmental and social challenges for the future planning (SSIU 2009). Another important wetland at risk of severe loss is the UNESCO world heritage Kakadu national park 6 Aisling Hall 21620531 BIO01204 wetlands. The coastal plains of Kakadu are just 0. 2 – 1. 2 metres above mean high water level and at risk of complete loss if the planet warms between 2-3 degrees (B. Hare 2005). affecting the community structure and impacts biota through the food chains and loss of habitat. The ecological responses to increased salinity and success of the wetland will be dependent on the tolerance of the individual species (D. Nielsen Increase of Temperature and Changes in Precipitation: Temperature increase has a large effect on aquatic communities most basically as the higher the temperature the less oxygen molecules (N. Campbell 2009). However, much more complex on a larger scale, such as the rise in temperature increasing evaporation of rivers and decreasing snow and rainfall. Predictions of increased drought frequencies have fatal implications for inland wetlands, for example 10% increased evaporation and up to 10% reduced rainfall in the Macquarie Valley mean annual flows to the Marshes will be reduced by 11-32%. The Macquarie Marshes are one of the largest semi-permanent wetlands in south-eastern Australia, with 42 species of waterbirds, including Magpie Geese and Brolgas. Climate change is likely to cause a decline in the wetland’s vegetation by up to 40 percent which will mean a much smaller capacity to sustain life and it is unclear where the water birds will be able to go as the Macquarie Marshes is one of the only wetlands in the Murray Darling Basin (L. Hughes 2003). 2009). The species most tolerant to the new saline environment will recolonise the area, changing the future face of the wetland permanently. There are many management issues and risks as this succession on a changed environment opens the area to possible weed invasion which further decreases long term biodiversity of Australia’s water ways (T. Smith 2009). Future plans show new modelling techniques being developed to predict the outcomes of salinity increase scenarios, setting salinity maxima limits for wetlands, and identifying the species potentially suitable as early warning indicators of a declining wetland or to aid in resilience in restoration. This knowledge will facilitate preventative, rather than reactive, wetland management (Arthur Rylah Institute 2010). MANAGEMENT In Australia individual state and territory governments have the primary legislative and policy responsibility for wetland management. Australia was the first country to join the Ramsar Convention in 1971 â€Å" an intergovernmental treaty that embodies the commitments of its member countries to maintain the ecological character of Salinity: Climate change will increase salinity in wetlands through evaporation and rising of the ground water table due to loss of vegetation and flooding. A decrease in rain and flow in many regions will not allow the seasonal flushing of salt from wetlands and it will accumulate over time drastically changing the structure and quality of the environment. An increase in salinity directly reduces biodiversity in aquatic systems thus heir Wetlands of International Importance and to plan for the wise use, or sustainable use, of all of the wetlands in their territoriesâ€Å"(Wetlands 2010). Part of Australia’s commitment was the implementation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), and through the development of programs state and nationwide with the goal to improve the 7 Aisling Hall 21620531 BIO01204 management of wetlands (Department of the Environment 2009). In response to climate change, the Australian Government has developed Wate r for the Future, a long-term $12. billion package that proposes to take action to support our rivers and wetlands especially the Murray-Darling Basin which has suffered decades of mismanagement due to irrigation and damming (Australian Government Department of the Environment 2010). The NSW government is now buying back water from the irrigation companies under the ‘River bank program’ to deliver to wetlands such as the Macquarie Marshes (David Lindenmayer 2008). must be protected and rehabilitated to assist in mitigating climate change along with our responsibility as stewards of the earth. Given the diversity of wetland types management issues will need to be customised to both regional and local levels which pose difficulties in negotiation as people hold differing values. This disparity between wetland values and the increased demands for water will only be exacerbated in the future as the climate changes and human needs increase the strain on the environment. An important management strategy will need to be recognising that climate change will affect the ecological characteristics of wetlands and their uses and being aware that they hold an important role in CONCLUSION Wetlands are a critical part of the Australian environment and an important system in our waterways. They protect our shores from wave action, mitigate impacts of floods and absorb pollution to improve water quality and provide habitats for animals and plants both endemic to Australia and shared with other nations. Given these important functions it is clear that wetlands securing the future water quality and biological biodiversity of Australian ecosystems. Preventing and reducing additional stress can be achieved by; reducing damming and irrigation to maintain the systems hydrology, as well as planting vegetation buffer zones and removing exotic species to help reduce pollution and offer alternative habitat during the fluctuation of water levels and flow. 8 Aisling Hall 21620531 BIO01204 References A. J. Howe, J. F. R. , P. M. Sacoa, (2009) Surface evolution and carbon sequestration in disturbed and undisturbed wetland soils of the Hunter estuary, southeast Australia, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 84(1): 75-83. Arthur Rylah Institute (2010) Climate Change and Salinity Department of Sustainability and Environment, http://www. dse. vic. gov. au/DSE/nrenari. nsf/LinkView/8A400EA7628CE672CA256DD300130337964 8BCFAC8675B00CA256DD300024CC6, accessed: 23/03/10. Australian Government Department of the Environment, W. , Heritage and the Arts, (2010). 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SSIU (2009) Model Predicts Climate Change Impacts of Harbour Sydney University, http://www. usyd. edu. au/research/about/nrp_examples/model_predicts. shtml, accessed: 25/03/10. T. Walshe, T. M. (2008) Decision-making under climatic uncertainty: A case study involving an Australian Ramsar-listed wetland, Ecological management and restoration, 9(3): 202-208. T. Smith, R. L. S. (2009) Elements of Ecology (7 ed. ), Pub: Pearson Benjamin Cummings, San Fransisco. W. Mitsch, J. G. (2007) Wetlands (4 ed. ), Pub: John Wiley and Sons, New Jersey. Wetlands, R. C. o. (2010) About the Ramsar Convention,