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Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub

  • Home
  • About
    • The Hub
    • Leadership and governance
    • PhD affiliate initiative
    • NESP
    • ACCSP
  • Climate Challenges
    • Hydroclimate and water resources
    • Food security, ecosystems and natural resource management
    • Carbon cycle and future warming
    • Changes in coastal climate
    • Extremes and disaster risk management
  • Our science
    • Research priorities
    • Current activities
    • Completed activities
  • Science impact
    • Federal government
    • State government
    • Local government
    • Government authority agencies
    • Financial services sector
    • Indigenous communities
  • Resources
    • Science webinars
    • Training
    • Publications
    • Data products
  • News
  • Contact

Natural habitats for coastal protection and carbon sequestration

PROJECT 5.9: Natural habitats for coastal protection and carbon sequestration – Phase 2 of the National Centre for Coasts and Climate

Natural, created or restored habitats such as oyster reefs, mangroves and saltmarshes have the potential to provide coastal protection as well as enhance biodiversity and other ecosystem services, including food provision and improved water quality. These ‘living shorelines’ also have the potential to play an important role in climate mitigation and adaptation due to their ability to sequester carbon and reduce the threats of coastal erosion and flooding. However, many of these habitats have been lost or degraded throughout Australia. While restoration is a clear national priority for biodiversity conservation, there are still key uncertainties regarding the use of natural habitats for coastal protection and carbon sequestration.

Through the National Centre for Coasts and Climate (NCCC) we’re conducting case studies in blue carbon, coastal erosion and eco-engineering research to:

  • develop a standard method for assessing changes in carbon stocks due to coastal ecosystem management activities
  • develop an ecological and geomorphological index of dune resilience to coastal erosion, and
  • assess the effectiveness of a hybrid living shoreline approach for habitat restoration and coastal protection.

In collaboration with key stakeholders, such as state and local governments and conservation groups, this research will be synthesised into a road map that identifies the next steps towards developing national guidelines for coastal habitat restoration and eco-engineering to inform on-ground coastal management actions.

For more information

Prof. Stephen Swearer, University of Melbourne

 


This project is contributing to the following climate challenges:

Changes in coastal climate.

CHANGES IN COASTAL CLIMATE
This project establishes a means to engage directly with coastal managers and develop useful information and tools they can use in their work. Our research into blue carbon and coastal erosion will inform management practices and adaptation activities.

Carbon cycle and future warming.

CARBON CYCLE AND FUTURE WARMING
Our investigation of blue carbon (carbon stored in marine and coastal habitats) will reduce uncertainty in regional carbon accumulation rate estimates and improve our understanding of the impact of coastal vegetation on the carbon cycle.

Publications and papers
Natural habitats for coastal protection and carbon sequestration was last modified: July 23rd, 2019 by Sonia Bluhm

Research priorities

  • Lightning strike

    Past and current climate

  • Map of Australia showing projected maximum daily temperature change for 2090 under RCP8.5 from ACCESS

    Future climate

  • Spreadsheet containing climate data

    Climate information

Current activities

  • Looking through trees to Yarrabah

    Supporting the development of an Indigenous-led...

  • Understanding past, current and future climate...

  • Developing and delivering improved climate change...

  • Water resources under a changing climate

  • Changing extreme weather hazards

  • Developing an Australian carbon budget

  • Understanding ocean change

  • Marine and coastal climate services

  • Natural habitats for coastal protection and...

  • Applying Australia’s climate model

  • Understanding Tasmania’s climate sensitivities and information...

  • Five ripening mangoes hanging on a tree

    Understanding climate change impacts on mangoes...

  • Informing World Heritage Area climate change...

Recently completed

  • Identifying climate change information needs for Gondwana Rainforests of Australia

  • Co-designing research to meet water resources management needs

  • Understanding information needs for carbon policy

  • Improving coastal inundation models for adaptation planning

  • Gum trees in a wetland

    Supporting a national dialogue on the climate change science needs of Indigenous communities

The Earth Systems and Climate Change Hub is funded by the Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Program, with co-investment from the following partner agencies.


CSIRO logoBureau of Meteorology logoAustralian National University logoUniversity of Tasmania logoUniversity of New South Wales logoMonash University logo.The University of Melbourne logo
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