Weed management to support the migration of intertidal habitats with sea level rise | Dr Kate Buckley
Tracks
| Tuesday, August 5, 2025 |
| 3:10 PM - 3:30 PM |
| Parthenium Theatre |
Speaker
Dr Kate Buckley
Marine Estate Manager
DPIRD Fisheries
Weed management to support the migration of intertidal habitats with sea level rise | Dr Kate Buckley
Abstract
Weeds are an emerging concern for management of intertidal spaces and adjacent areas. Relatively few weed species grow within the lowest parts of the intertidal zone dominated by mangroves. More occur in the upper intertidal, often amongst saltmarsh, where tidal inundation is less frequent. Most weeds crowd the edges above the tidal limit.
In these unique environments only a subset of listed priority weeds pose a threat. Other unlisted weed species can also compromise the ecosystem services healthy saltmarsh and mangrove habitats provide. These services include productive fisheries, coastal scenery, foreshore protection, carbon capture and storage, and other biodiversity, social and cultural values. Weeds may also threaten the Endangered Ecological Community Coastal Saltmarsh.
As sea level rise (SLR) advances, saltmarsh and mangrove communities will need to migrate upslope or upstream to maintain their position relative to tidal inundation and salinity regimes. Migrations cannot occur where these areas are built, or slopes are steep. Over time these intertidal communities will be gradually ‘squeezed’. Elsewhere, weeds crowding SLR migration pathways may impede repositioning. Other stressors from stormwater runoff, stock grazing, vehicle access and developments can further diminish the resilience of saltmarsh and mangroves. In these situations, weeds can create ‘living coastal squeeze’, placing intertidal habitats at risk.
The IMVS Weed Management Guide introduced in this presentation identifies 30 weeds that threaten saltmarsh, mangroves, or their SLR migration pathways in NSW. The weeds have been chosen based on their tolerance of ecological processes in intertidal and adjacent areas, their current distribution, and recorded impacts in NSW. The guide includes notes on likely habitats, identification, potential impacts, control measures and relevant legislation and biosecurity. Turning the tide on coastal weeds is part of an evidence-based approach to identify priority sites for protection, management and rehabilitation of saltmarsh and mangrove habitats to safeguard their widely appreciated ecosystem services, now and into the future.
In these unique environments only a subset of listed priority weeds pose a threat. Other unlisted weed species can also compromise the ecosystem services healthy saltmarsh and mangrove habitats provide. These services include productive fisheries, coastal scenery, foreshore protection, carbon capture and storage, and other biodiversity, social and cultural values. Weeds may also threaten the Endangered Ecological Community Coastal Saltmarsh.
As sea level rise (SLR) advances, saltmarsh and mangrove communities will need to migrate upslope or upstream to maintain their position relative to tidal inundation and salinity regimes. Migrations cannot occur where these areas are built, or slopes are steep. Over time these intertidal communities will be gradually ‘squeezed’. Elsewhere, weeds crowding SLR migration pathways may impede repositioning. Other stressors from stormwater runoff, stock grazing, vehicle access and developments can further diminish the resilience of saltmarsh and mangroves. In these situations, weeds can create ‘living coastal squeeze’, placing intertidal habitats at risk.
The IMVS Weed Management Guide introduced in this presentation identifies 30 weeds that threaten saltmarsh, mangroves, or their SLR migration pathways in NSW. The weeds have been chosen based on their tolerance of ecological processes in intertidal and adjacent areas, their current distribution, and recorded impacts in NSW. The guide includes notes on likely habitats, identification, potential impacts, control measures and relevant legislation and biosecurity. Turning the tide on coastal weeds is part of an evidence-based approach to identify priority sites for protection, management and rehabilitation of saltmarsh and mangrove habitats to safeguard their widely appreciated ecosystem services, now and into the future.
Biography
Dr Buckley specialises in marine and estuarine conservation ecology. She has extensive field ecology experience studying terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems, often for extended periods in extremely remote areas. Her publications include multiple peer reviewed scientific articles, government reports and strategy documents; and she has presented at national and international conferences. Previously she worked as an ecologist for the Northern Territory Government, collecting, analysing and reporting on ecological data for biodiversity research and monitoring projects. In late 2022 she commenced working for the NSW Government as a Marine Estate Manager, developing intertidal marine vegetation management strategies.
