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Issue: Pressures on biodiversity - Pressures on marine biodiversity: pressures of coastal activities

This is an issue under the Biodiversity theme of the Data Reporting System.

Why we need to know about this issue

Where coastal land or waters are altered for human activities the habitat of other resident species (terrestrial, freshwater and marine) is also altered. Some of these habitat changes may completely remove resident species. Others may disadvantage some species and benefit others, altering the ecosystems themselves.

Additionally, a wide range of substances, including heavy metals, organic compounds and particles from industry and coastal mining, sewerage and garbage and diffuse pollution from human settlements, ammunition from Defence force facilities, and sediments, nutrients, pesticides and even just excess freshwater from agricultural land use are discharged into coastal waters and coastal freshwater systems where they can place pressure on marine, coastal terrestrial and coastal freshwater species and ecosystems.

Pressures from coastal pollution may affect the quality of estuarine and coastal waters and ultimately the condition of marine biodiversity. Run-off of pollutants can be directly toxic. Run-off of sediments can affect the turbidity of coastal waters and some sediments may carry materials that are toxic to marine species. Run-off of nutrients can lead to oxygen depletion and algal blooms. Changes in salinity of run-off can place pressure of ecosystems, by benefiting or disadvantaging particular species

In addition to pollution of coastal and marine waters by toxic substances, it is possible that noise and visual pollution may be having an adverse effect on some marine species.

Indicators

• CO-27 Number, frequency, extent and volume of oil spills from all sources 
  A range of coastal activities result in oil spills and other pollution which has the potential to impact on coastal and marine vegetation.
• CO-28 Quantity of discharges of different substances from humans activities to coastal and marine waters 
  Discharges from coastal facilities can have a significant impact on marine organisms.
• CO-29 Change in area of coastal potential acid sulphate soils under development for human use 
  Acid sulphate soils disturbed by human settlements can have a significant impact on marine organisms.
• CO-30 Length and area of coastal and estuarine foreshore altered for human purposes 
  Since human settlements tend to displace coastal biodiversity in its entirety while placing considerable pressure on estuarine and coastal waters, extension of human settlements along Australia’s coastline is an indicator for this pressure on biodiversity.
• CO-32 Number of injuries to marine animals from marine debris 
  A range of coastal activities result in marine debris which have the potential to impact on coastal and marine biodiversity.
• CO-44 Marine chlorophyll concentration 
  A range of coastal activities result in pollution which has the potential to impact on coastal and marine vegetation.
• CO-46 Comparative water quality of coastal lakes and lagoons (water quality gradient from north to south) 
  Loss of water quality in coastal lakes and lagoons has the potential to place pressure on coastal and estuarine biodiversity. Comparative water quality of coastal lakes and lagoons, especially along the gradient from north to south, is indicative of the cumulative pressure of human settlements on these systems.
• CO-53 Evidence or examples of noise or visual disturbance of marine species by human activities 
  A range of coastal activities result in visual and noise pollution which have the potential to impact on coastal and marine biodiversity.
• CO-60 Sea salinity 
  In addition to being a potential outcome of climate change, localised changes in sea salinity can result from increases in freshwater discharges from human settlements and activities.
• CO-65 Correlation between various human activities and introduction of coastal and marine species 
  New species with the potential to place pressure on resident biodiversity can be introduced via a range of coastal activities, including companion animals escaped or released from captivity and micro-organisms released through sewerage systems.
• IW-12 Catchment nitrogen and phosphorus load 
  In addition to placing pressure on freshwater biodiversity, nitrogen and phosphorus loads reaching the coasts, place pressure on coastal and marine biodiversity.
• IW-19 Exceedance of total nitrogen and phosphorus water quality triggers 
  In addition to placing pressure on freshwater biodiversity, nitrogen and phosphorus loads reaching the coasts, place pressure on coastal and marine biodiversity.
• HS-05 Total population and distribution 
  Australia’s population is concentrated in the coastal regions. Population increases can translate directly and indirectly into pressure on coastal biodiversity.

Related issues

• Coasts and Oceans - Direct pressure of human activities on coasts and oceans - Direct pressure of coastal activities (other than shipping and fishing) 
• Coasts and Oceans - Condition of the ocean and coastal waters - Condition of marine vegetation 
• Coasts and Oceans - Condition of the ocean and coastal waters - Water quality 
• Coasts and Oceans - Direct pressure of human activities on coasts and oceans - Direct pressure of shipping 
• Coasts and Oceans - Direct pressure of human activities on coasts and oceans - Direct pressures of harvesting non-living materials 
• Human Settlements - External pressures on human settlements - Population growth and distribution