Cell Descriptions - South East Natural Resources Management Board

SE15-17 – The Coorong
Climate change
element/ scenario
Frequency continues
to show great
variation on a
decadal scale.
Intensity of large
storms increases.
Warmer average
conditions:
2030:+0.3 to.6 0 C
2070:+1.5 to 2 0 C
Drier average
conditions:
2030: -2% to 5%
2070: - 10% to 20%
‘Flashy’ run off:
Drier creeks, but
larger rare floods
Groundwater
lowering; saline
incursion:
Nearshore sea
changes -
temperature;
acidity; wave
climate:
Impacts and implications Protect and manage Address landscape
(for this cell) habitat threats issues: fire,
connectivity,
refuges, hydrology
flooding above highest
known tides. The lagoon and
seasonal wetlands will be
subject to storm tide
inundation with a slight sea
level rise; changing access
and groundwater conditions
within the cell.
2070: Flooding will affect all
swamps and adjacent low
lying areas. Seasonal wetland
areas adjacent to the
Southern Lagoon will be
flooded by the 2m
inundation. Flooding above
this level is much more
extensive.
Frequent storm damage to
foredunes.
(Impacts uncertain. Existing
terrestrial vegetation is
found in warmer conditions
elsewhere)
Native dune vegetation
adapts well to drier
conditions, but recovers
more slowly from fire,
disease and storm damage:
dune mobilization becomes
more likely. Exotic grass
species within dunes unlikely
to survive drought.
Drains and creeks may
increase sediment load to
coastal swamps, (this
depends on land
management practices).
The potential fall in
groundwater pressure (and
potential storm incursion) a
significant threat to
vegetation survival in
freshwater swamps and in
the dunes.
Wave climate changes
unlikely.
impacts n the lagoon
fringes. Continue aerial
photographic
monitoring.
Active management of
dune blowouts.
Active weed control
within dunes, together
with management of
blowouts.
Maintain watching brief
on sedimentation of
swamps.
Adaptive management
of plant assets.
Maintain
connectivity of
vegetation within
the region.
Monitor salinity of
coastal swamps, and
vegetation condition
in the swamps and
dunes.
Limestone Coast and Coorong Coastal Action Plan 458