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Issue: Contributions and pressures between the coasts and oceans and inland water - Condition of species at the inland waters-oceans interface

This is an issue under the Coasts and oceans theme of the Data Reporting System.

Why we need to know about this issue

Changes in conditions, including water quality, water temperature, water salinity and species present (or absent), in either marine waters or coastal freshwater systems, can place pressure on species living at the freshwater-marine interface (estuaries, inlets, coastal lakes and lagoons, mangroves, tidal waters etc). Inland waters contribute freshwater and freshwater species to habitat for coastal species and can place pressure on them by carrying excess freshwater, nutrients, sediments, pollutants or excessively warm or cool water to coastal waters. The ocean contributes saline waters; marine species and climate moderation to these interface habitats. It can place pressure on inland waters and interface species during sea surge events or as a result of influx to groundwater, or in the event of rising sea levels or changing currents.

Indicators

• CO-01 Trends in selected groups of coastal and marine species and habitats 
  Changes in inland waters and coastal waters can each affect the species, habitats and ecosystems that live at their interface. Changes to the condition of coastal waters can place pressure on freshwater systems and visa versa. Change in condition of selected species that live at or close to the interface of freshwater and marine water systems, such as a coral species, a mangrove species, or a shorebird species, could be an indicator that a pressure is occurring and, in some cases (for example loss of an inland or ocean predator, or a change in water salinity), could indicate a change in the pressure and contributions operating between the two spheres.
• IW-33 Abundance and distribution of waterbirds 
  Changes in waterbird abundance or distribution could be indicative of changes occurring in either marine or freshwater systems.
• IW-34 Examples of deterioration of condition of wetland vegetation 
  Changes in wetland vegetation could be indicative of changes occurring in either marine or freshwater systems feeding wetlands.

Related issues

• Coasts and Oceans - Condition of the ocean and coastal waters- Condition of species, habitats and ecosystems 
• Coasts and Oceans - Contributions and pressures between the coasts and oceans and the atmosphere- Climate and carbon dioxide 
• Coasts and Oceans - Contributions and pressures between the coasts and oceans and land- Condition of species at the land-ocean interface