Logo of State of the Environment 2011; Photo by Andrew Griffiths, Lensaloft

State of the Environment 2011 (SoE 2011)

State of the Environment 2011 Committee. Australia state of the environment 2011.
Independent report to the Australian Government Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.
Canberra: DSEWPaC, 2011.

Contents

Supplementary material

PRODUCED BY the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
ON BEHALF OF the State of the Environment 2011 Committee
December 2011

This is material that was developed as a part of the SoE 2011 process to support and inform SoE 2011. The nature and authorship of this material varies, with products ranging from specially-commissioned reports from external consultants to further analyses and description of underlying datasets by SoE authors, as well as summaries of the workshops used in reaching expert consensus. As with the main report, commissioned reports were subject to independent peer review before publication.

General

A framework for assessing resilience in SoE 2011 reporting

SoE 2011 is the first to present assessment of the resilience of the environmental assets which it discusses. This background paper provides definitions and discussion of the concept of resilience in environmental and social-ecological systems: specified versus general resilience, social versus ecological resilience, adaptability and transformability, scale and context.

Peer review of the Australia State of the Environment 2011 report

Independent, transparent and rigorous peer review forms part of the process of producing the SoE report. This report outlines the principles and process of independent expert review of the draft chapters of SoE 2011, with a view to improving scientific credibility and reliability of the final product.

Supplementary material

Summary

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Approach

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Drivers

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Atmosphere

Assessing the condition of ambient air

Assessing the condition of ambient air This paper presents percentage frequency distributions of the Air Quality Index categories for eight state and territory capitals and a small number of major regional or industrial centres, based on analysis of air quality monitoring data for ozone and particles (PM10) collected in accordance with protocols under the National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure.

Inland water

AUSRIVAS - Australia's in-stream biological health 2003-2010

This report presents the results of the AUSRIVAS (Australian River Assessment System) survey which uses standardised monitoring of riverine aquatic macroinvertebrates (a diverse range of insects, crustaceans and mollusks) to provide information about river health and change over time.

National Water Quality Assessment 2011

The National Water Quality Assessment 2011 was commissioned to provide a snapshot of water quality across inland waters of Australia. The water quality indicators examined include turbidity, salinity, pH, nutrients and algal blooms (specifically cyanobacterial blooms), and faecal contamination (microbial quality).

Land

Fractional-cover data

Provides a "live" map of Australia from 2000 - 2011 - fractional cover derived from MODIS data from the beginning of 2000 to May 2011. The images are derived from remotely sensed data, showing proportion of bare soil, photosynthetically active vegetation and non-synthetically active vegetation.

Analysis of continental scale vegetation cover over the last decade

This report provides an analysis of a ten year time series of vegetation greenness from data collected by sensors carried on satellites that make regular passes over Australia reveal the extent to which green vegetation cover (greenness) varies in response to fluctuations in rainfall, and major disturbances such as wildfires, cyclones and severe storms.

Assessments of status and trends in soil organic carbon workshop - summary notes

This report provides the Workshop outcomes from a group of experts in soil carbon and land resource assessment which developed an assessment of the state and trends of soil carbon across Australia.

Connectivity conservation in Australian landscapes

Connectivity conservation areas interconnect protected areas with natural and semi-natural lands, they help maintain large-scale natural Australian landscapes and ecosystem processes and they are a natural biodiversity conservation partner to the National Reserve System. This report provides an overview of connectivity conservation and management of seven large-scale connectivity conservation areas in Australia.

Indigenous land and sea management - a case study

The report provides an overview of Indigenous land and sea management, also referred to as "caring for country".

Status and trends in soil acidification workshop - summary notes

This report provides the Workshop outcomes from a group of experts in soil acidification and land resource assessment, which developed an assessment of the state and trends of soil acidification across Australia.

Wind erosion and land management in Australia during 1940-1949 and 2000-2009

The paper provides the outcomes of a project on wind erosion: quantifying wind erosion across Australia for 1940-1949 and 2000-2009; examining the likely impact of changes in land management on wind erosion in the two periods; and presents annual wind erosion maps across Australia for 2000-2009.

Marine environment

Australia's coral reefs in a changing ocean

In the past two decades severe coral bleaching on Australian reefs were mainly confined to the Great Barrier Reef and other reefs at low latitudes (e.g. Scott Reef), however, recently the first extensive bleaching events have occurred around Ningaloo, Lord Howe Island, Houtman Abrolhos and Rottnest Island. As Australia moves into a high-CO2 era, ocean warming and acidification are predicted to continue from low to high latitudes. The medium to long-term projections indicate that the frequency and severity of coral bleaching events will continue to increase, accompanied by progressive ocean acidification.

Factors potentially affecting the resilience of temperate marine populations

Six main categories of factors have the potential to influence population resilience of fish species; these are climate change, fishing, coastal development, introduced marine pests, infectious diseases and the socio-economic influences associated with fishery management. Four different case studies of Australian commercial fish stocks; western rock lobster, southern rock lobster, eastern gemfish and tiger flathead; are used to provide a contrast to marine population resilience.

SoE 2011 National marine condition assessment - decision model and workshops

In the absence of strong regional or national indicator datasets, and to limit the bias inherent in a narrow information base, the SoE 2011 process adopted an expert elicitation approach to assess the condition and trends of Australia's marine environment. A select representative group of marine experts from various disciplines were engaged for a series of assessment workshops. The decision model, grading system and procedures are described. The overview results of the six assessment parameters for the five marine bioregions are presented.

Phytoplankton dynamics in shelf waters around Australia

A comprehensive summary of phytoplankton bloom occurrences, both in-water and surface expressions, for five coastal sites around Australia based on earth observation data of up to eight years (2003-2010). Concentrations in chlorophyll-a (CHL), a widely-used measure of algal biomass, were estimated for each site from the NASA-MODIS (Aqua) ocean colour sensor. Surface algal bloom expressions, likely composed of different phytoplankton species than the in-water algal blooms, were mapped by the ESA-MERIS (Envisat) ocean colour sensor. Time-series of satellite-derived CHL and surface bloom expressions are presented and discussed for the five reporting regions. Results show that the phytoplankton biomass varies in its cycle and amplitude depending on the Australian continental shelf region considered.

Case study: the resilience of the nature-based tourism system on Australia's Great Barrier Reef

Factors that affect the resilience of the nature-based tourism system on Australia's Great Barrier Reef include climate change and the sediments, nutrients, and pesticides from agriculture and coastal development. The lifestyle values of enterprise owners and staff are significant predictors of enterprise resilience to crises and change. Higher lifestyle values are also associated with a higher level of enterprise support for reef conservation, and a greater level of participation in reef conservation activities.

Vulnerability and status of marine fishes for the Australian State of Environment report 2011 - temperate species

An assessment of vulnerability were conducted on two species in the south-east corner of Australia: the red Morwong (Cheilodactylus fuscus), and the southern Maori wrasse (Ophthalomolepis lineolata). The red morwong, although locally abundant with high numbers of reproductive individuals, was classed as 'Vulnerable' because of its restricted spatial distribution. It is sensitive to climate change and local recreational fishing. This species responded rapidly to closure to fishing. The southern Maori wrasse is locally abundant, with high numbers of reproductive individuals, and its range extends longitudinally to Western Australia. Despite being landed in commercial numbers as bycatch, as well as landed locally by recreational fishers its vulnerability is low.

Vulnerability and status of marine fishes for the Australian State of Environment report 2011 - tropical species

Assessments of vulnerability and population status were completed for two species of coral reef fishes: the redfin butterflyfish (Chaetodon lunulatus), and the leopard coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus). The inherent vulnerability to extinction for both species was considered Low, given their reasonably large geographic ranges and ability to utilise a wide range of different reef habitats. The current population status for both C. lunulatus and P. leopardus was considered Good, with no evidence of long-term, reef-wide declines in abundance. The two species (C. lunulatus and P. leopardus) are each facing distinct threats, due to habitat degradation (especially coral loss) and direct fisheries exploitation, respectively. Current fisheries for Plectropomus spp. on the Great Barrier Reef do appear to be sustainable, and populations exhibit considerable resilience. With the recent expansion of no-take marine reserves, populations on reefs closed to fishing have recovered very quickly. In contrast, C. lunulatus appears to have Poor population resilience, with no recovery observed >5 years after severe coral bleaching in the central Great Barrier Reef.

Antarctic environment

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Biodiversity

The role of soil biodiversity in providing ecosystem services This paper

provides an account of the role of soil organisms in providing key ecosystem services, including soil formation, decomposition and nutrient cycling, carbon and nitrogen fixation and sequestration, infiltration, purification and storage of water.

Heritage

Australian committee of the IUCN - State of the environment 2011 workshop - summary notes

Summary of proceedings of a workshop designed to brief officials and members of the Australian Committee for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature on the process for preparing the SoE report for 2011; invite comment on the evolving draft chapter on Heritage; gather high level opinion on key messages, major issues, threats and potential responses for Australia's natural heritage; and identify potential contacts for additional information.

Australian Heritage Council - State of the environment 2011 workshop - summary notes

Summary of proceedings of a workshop designed to brief members or the Australian Heritage Council on the process for preparing the SoE report for 2011; invite comment on the evolving draft chapter on Heritage; gather high level opinion on key messages, major issues, threats and potential responses for Australia's natural heritage; and identify potential contacts for additional information.

HCOANZ - State of the environment 2011 workshop - summary notes

Summary of proceedings of a workshop for Australian 'Heritage Officials' of the Heritage Chairs and Officials of Australia and New Zealand (HCOANZ) to share and invite comment on an evolving draft Table of contents for the 'Heritage' section of SoE 2011; gather high level opinion on major threats, responses and outlooks for Australia's natural heritage; and seek advice on potential information sources.

DSEWPaC Indigenous Advisory Committee - State of the environment 2011 workshop - summary notes

Summary of briefing and workshop discussion involving the DSEWPaC Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC), to share the process for preparing the SoE report for 2011; invite comment on the evolving draft chapter outline on Heritage; gather high level opinion on major issues, threats and potential responses for Australia's Indigenous heritage; and identify potential contacts for information.

Australia ICOMOS - State of the environment 2011 workshop - summary notes

Outcomes of a briefing and workshop discussion with members of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (Australia ICOMOS) held in Sydney on Friday 25 February 2011 as part of the preparation for the SoE 2011 report. The workshop had three purposes:

Parks heads of agencies - State of the environment 2011 workshop - summary notes

Outcomes of a briefing and workshop discussion with the heads of the Australian national parks agencies held in Sydney on Friday 27 August 2010 as part of the preparation for the SoE 2011 report. The workshop had three purposes:

State of Indigenous cultural heritage 2011

This thematic report provides data, information and analysis to inform the Indigenous heritage content of SoE 2011. The report focuses on two important indicators of the state of Indigenous heritage which have been identified as priorities for reporting by the Australian SoE Committee: the physical condition and integrity of Indigenous heritage places, and the use of Indigenous languages. It also provides data and information on other important aspects of Indigenous heritage including access, control and use of lands and waters, cultural practices and Indigenous knowledge.

Study of condition and integrity of historic heritage places

The study takes the form of a physical survey of a proportion of the places entered in the Register of the National Estate and in some cases the various State heritage registers. The survey covers every state and territory, and includes as wide a regional coverage as the existing heritage registers allow, with a particular emphasis on an equal spread of places in rural and urban environments. The survey provides a simple overview of the continued existence, condition, integrity and use of a sample of the nation's historic heritage, and allows trends in the health of that heritage to be identified. In total, 1,092 places were inspected in 2011.

The study repeats the survey first undertaken for the 2001 State of the Environment Report, repeated in 2004, and trends apparent over the intervening seven year period are identified.

Condition and integrity assessment of natural heritage places

The purpose of the study was to assess the condition and integrity of natural heritage places focusing on the identified natural heritage values and their current condition and integrity. A sample of 75 places located on public and private. The assessment focused on the identified natural heritage values and their current condition and integrity. These places include a range of formal reserves from iconic World Heritage places to private conservation places. Each place has its own natural heritage significance and many form part of the National Reserve System.

Built environment

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Coasts

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Future reporting

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Appendixes

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