Dissertation
Linking land to sea restoration to optimise management of coastal ecosystems
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
2024
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00816
Abstract
Coastal ecosystems are under threat from a diversifying and expanding range of pressures that affect many environmental realms and multiple spatial scales. These multi-scaled impacts change the extent, connectedness and condition of coastal ecosystems, altering their value for humans and animals. For this reason, there is a drive to increase restoration across coastal seascapes to help mediate the effects of anthropogenic pressures both within estuaries and across broader catchments. Quantitatively identifying the scale, ecosystem and target ecosystem condition to prioritise is challenging due to competing impacts from multiple spatial scales. Disentangling these effects requires quantitative data and a systematic approach to prioritising restoration site selection to increase the likelihood of success. In this thesis, I quantified the relative effect of impacts and drivers originating from and impacting upon coastal ecosystems at three spatial scales; landscape, seascape and habitat. I show that at landscape scales, catchments with higher natural habitat and conservation land percent cover, lower chlorophyll-a concentrations (<1.19 μg/L) and sites that are in closer proximity to the estuary mouth (<3,000 m) support greater fish and fisheries. At seascape scales, spatial positioning was more important than habitat condition in structuring fish abundance and diversity in six habitats. Specifically, sites that were in closer proximity to the estuary mouth (<10,000 m) and to diverse habitats patches (especially smaller patches of mangrove and intertidal flats) support higher fish abundance and diversity. I applied this multi-scaled approach to address gaps in the literature about optimal placement and target condition of log snag habitats in estuaries. There were consistent effects of proximity to the estuary mouth (<10,000 m), deeper water (>3 m) and with lower algae cover on the log (<25 %) supported a more diverse and abundant fish assemblages and abundant fish functional groups across three years of survey. I then reviewed the literature on the effects of impacts and drivers of coastal ecosystems at these three spatial scale and synthesised these findings with a case study that uses a systematic approach to site selection throughout southeast Queensland (SEQ) estuaries to enhance fish biodiversity. I highlight that using quantitative data results in system-specific outcomes that can be used to develop frameworks for restoration planning. Consequently, adapting a systematic approach to prioritising restoration may result in a higher likelihood of restoration success.
Details
- Title
- Linking land to sea restoration to optimise management of coastal ecosystems
- Authors
- Lucy Goodridge Gaines - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Contributors
- Ben Gilby (Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringAndrew Olds (Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Awarding institution
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Degree awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- DOI
- 10.25907/00816
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99998998302621
- Output Type
- Dissertation
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