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​The mangrove challenge

18/9/2023

9 Comments

 
PictureGrand plans for blue carbon sinks in Western Port need to tackle the low success rate of mangrove planting projects. Photo: Neil Daly
By Neil Daly
​

In my article A chance encounter of the seedling kind, I called for a Western Port Mangrove Restoration Symposium as a matter of urgency as, over the past 20 years or so, many attempts by various agencies to increase the number of mangrove stands in parts of Western Port had failed.  I finished by saying the Federal Government and the Victorian State Government should note the situation for until there are many hectares of mangroves growing along the eastern arm of Western Port the blue carbon project in this region will not achieve its intended outcome.

Since then:
  1. In response to a letter outlining my concerns, Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek advised me of the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting our coastal ecosystems and the allocation of $30.6 million for “practical action in Australia and the region through the Blue Carbon Conservation, Restoration and Accounting Program”; and  
  2. State Environment Minister Ingrid Stitt indicated the State Government, as part of its program Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037, had allocated $700,000 to the Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation to “plan for on-ground actions to restore blue carbon ecosystems (mangroves, saltmarsh and seagrass), and to support stakeholder and community engagement”.
  3. On World Mangrove Day, July 26, in response to the State Government’s call to restore blue carbon ecosystems in Western Port, the Biosphere held the inaugural meeting of the “Blue Carbon Planning in Western Port - Stakeholder Working Group”.  Made up of representatives from various stakeholders, the group discussed the aims and broad objectives of the project.  Further meetings are planned and the project is due to finish in November 2024.
  4. On August 9, the State Government announced a second grant of $1.2 million to be shared between the Bisophere and the Bunurong Land Council for planning and restoration projects in the Western Port Biosphere Reserve.  The aim of this new project is to “improve its marine ecosystem and its growing potential as a major site for blue carbon capture.”  No completion date has been given for this venture.

“Investing in the health of the UNESCO Western Port Biosphere Reserve is crucial to maintaining Victoria’s precious biodiversity for years to come”, Ms Stitt said.

While it’s commendable that the State Government has finally recognised the environmental significance of Western Port, stakeholders must come to terms with the elephant in the room: figuring out how to plant mangroves in sufficient numbers to curb foreshore erosion of up to one metre per year along the eastern arm of Western Port.

The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Water, Deakin University, Bass Coast Landcare Network and the Western Port Seagrass Partnership have all been involved in mangrove planting, with varying degrees of success. ​

Given this problem continues to drag on and that the Biosphere is now responsible for implementing the State Government’s investment of $1.2 million in these blue carbon projects, it needs to run a Western Port Mangrove Restoration Symposium and settle the matter.

To coincide with the mangrove planting season starting this December, the symposium outcome should be a fully-costed mangrove planting program based on specific goals that are measureable, objective, achievable, relevant and timely.

Failure to achieve this outcome will likely perpetuate the current situation, imbed the high failure rate of mangrove propagation in this region, diminish the effectiveness of the blue carbon projects and pass on the problem to the next generation.

In terms of the overall project, I trust the blue carbon consortium will be able to state the cost-effectiveness of the proposed decarbonising program for there is another elephant waiting in the wings: climate change modelling suggests there will be sea level rise and inundation of low-lying Western Port areas.  If so, how will this affect the current projects and is it time to consider the prospect of a government buy-back of coastal land and let nature run its course?

​I hope the State Government and those seeking government will take note of the situation, for the issue will last longer that a four-year term in office and will not be solved by perpetuating piecemeal measures.

9 Comments
Christine Grayden link
22/9/2023 12:45:35 pm

My husband John Eddy was involved in developing various ways of growing mangroves for transplant into the bay with students and other volunteers. Much of this work was was done in conjunction with Tim Ealey 'Doctor Mangrove' and other groups. However our species of mangroves are particularly challenging to grow. This substrate into which seedlings are being planted is extremely important, yet we know very little about the interactions between the Mangrove seedlings and this substrate and its biota. So there is much research to be done before swathes of Mangrove planting is attempted. It would probably be best for a fair proportion of the funding to go towards much more thorough and in-depth research. Your suggestion of a Mangrove Symposium would be an excellent start.

Reply
Neil Daly
23/9/2023 01:46:26 pm

Thank you Christine for mentioning John’s work in developing the John Eddy method: attaching a mangrove seed to a bamboo stake with an elastic band which is then pushed into the intertidal mud. As you say, “our species of mangroves are particularly challenging to grow” - the White Mangrove, Avicennia marina var.australasica. You may be pleased to know that in association with Jason Noonan, I’m conducting a citizen scientist mangrove restoration research project that includes testing the intertidal mud for its pH, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium level. This type of testing and what lies beneath the substrate is a topic that should be discussed at the Mangrove Symposium.

Reply
Bernie McComb
23/9/2023 11:28:28 am

Has any consideration ever been given to reducing energy in waves and tides, using sub surface mats supporting seaweed farms? Such things are surely not high capital cost nor time consuming to install. ABC TV doco showed square kilometres of these things off coast of Korea. Beyond seaweed, seafood marine life is prolific. Happy to help, Bernie.

Reply
Neil Daly
23/9/2023 01:52:23 pm

Thank you Bernie and yes wave energy reduction measures have been trialled by the Western Port Seagrass Partnership and The University of Melbourne. I believe the mat idea is being tested by Landcare this coming mangrove season. Thank you for your offer to help and if you would like to know more about what’s planned, please contact me by email: [email protected]

Reply
Anne Heath Mennell
23/9/2023 02:10:48 pm

Lets hope that the tide is now turning (sorry) and we are finally going to see some real, evidence-based action to restore what we have destroyed or damaged. Funding is welcome but we must ensure it is well-spent.
Thank you, Neil, and all the other people who have spent lifetimes trying to protect Western Port. It would be good to see the day when such work was no longer necessary.

Reply
Jen Rutherford
24/9/2023 04:23:31 am

Australia’s coastal wetland ecosystems capture carbon on a per hectare basis at rates of up to 66 times higher and store 5 times more carbon in their soils than those of terrestrial ecosystems such as forests. From DCEEWW website

Thank you once again Neil Daly for your commitment to and persistence with raising awareness, providing education and a call to government action with pieces like this on an issue that most people don't realise is of critical importance to the health of life on this planet.

From DCCEW website: Coastal Wetlands - Mangroves and Saltmarshes for anyone who would like to learn more here's a snippit and link:

Why are mangroves and saltmarshes important?

Coastal mangroves and saltmarshes have historically been undervalued and considered by many to be wastelands. As a result many areas have been drained, reclaimed, become degraded from a range of human activities or otherwise lost.

We now understand the ecological value of these habitats which serve a number of purposes:

- provide feeding and breeding habitat for fish, birds and crustaceans
- act as filters for nutrients and sediments, reduce erosion and maintain water quality
- provide protection from storms and cyclones
act as a carbon sink.
- Mangroves are essential breeding grounds for fish stock, including prawns, crabs and fin fish such as barramundi, many of which are important for the fishing industry.
- Saltmarsh also provides shelter for fish, especially juveniles and smaller fish species, when inundation occurs during high tides. Studies have recorded over 40 species of fish inhabiting tidal saltmarsh areas, including commercial and recreational species such as yellowfin, bream, sand whiting, mullet, garfish, eels and crabs.

Invertebrates, including crabs, prawns, molluscs, spiders and insects are prolific in areas of saltmarsh and are preyed upon by fish and birds. Migratory waders, including species listed under international bird agreements, use Australia’s saltmarshes for feeding and roosting.

Coastal wetlands trap and stabilise sediments to lessen the effects of floodwaters and tidal movements, collect and recycle nutrients and contaminants from run-off and help maintain water quality.

Both mangroves and saltmarshes protect coastal foreshores by absorbing the energy of wind and wave action and providing a buffer that helps minimise erosion. With predicted increases in storm surge intensity and rising sea levels associated with climate change, these habitats will become increasingly important in protecting coasts.

Mangroves, saltmarsh and seagrasses capture and store large quantities of carbon both in plants and in the sediment below (‘blue carbon’).

https://www.dcceew.gov.au/water/wetlands/publications/factsheet-wetlands-mangroves-saltmarsh

Reply
john lippmann
26/9/2023 01:23:08 pm

Congratulations Neil on your seemingly tireless efforts to raise awareness about the need for, and benefits of, Westernport mangroves and seagrass restoration and the potential ways that this may be achieved. As others have stated, it is essential that the available funds be spent wisely so they are not expended on projects that have a low likelihood of success. Further research and controlled trials will hopefully continue to bear fruit. Well done!

Reply
Bernie McComb
26/9/2023 02:23:50 pm

Crazy aspect, per folks at Blu Carbon Lab/Deakin, is, as with other such organisations, they spend so much time applying for $ grants, trying to make ends meet. If subject of their enterprise is to make sure mangroves etc are taken care of, considering they’re almost the only effective CCS measure, how about Federal government, with all their money, should pay carbon credits to these caretakers? Or is it entangled with State and/or payment can only be made to private enterprise?!? Could it be enabled by staking out miners rights? WTF!!

Reply
Linda Nicholls
28/9/2023 05:47:14 pm

Good on you Neil for keeping the subject alive and persisting.

A good conversation happening here and people volunteering their expertise.

Landcare did report an increased survival rate for the last mangrove seedlings planted. Planting more in clusters.

Reply



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