sites found on the sand barrier islands intertidal sand or mud flats mangroves orange-bellied parrot saltmarshes growling grass frog permanent shallow marine water fairy tern Australian grayling C2. Abundance and diversity of waterbirds S2. The site supports outstanding fish habitat values that contribute to the health and sustainability of the bioregion Supporting Components Supporting Processes Supporting Services/Benefits Important geomorphological features that Climate, particularly patterns in temperature The site supports recreation and control habitat extent and types include: and rainfall, control a range of physical tourism values (scenic values, sand barrier island and associated tidal processes and ecosystem functions boating, recreational fishing, delta system camping, etc.) that have important the extensive tidal channel network Important hydraulic and hydrological flow-on economic effects for the mudflats and sandflats. processes that support the ecological region. character of the site includes: Invertebrate megafauna in seagrass beds and Fluvial hydrology. Patterns of inundation The site provides a range of subtidal channels are important elements of and freshwater flows to wetland systems values important for scientific biodiversity and control a range of ecosystem research, including a valuable Physical coastal processes. reference site for future functions. Hydrodynamic controls and marine inflows monitoring. that affect habitats through tides, currents, The diverse fish communities underpin the wind, erosion and accretion. biodiversity values of the site Groundwater. For those wetlands influenced by groundwater interaction, the level of the groundwater table and groundwater quality. Water quality underpins aquatic ecosystem values within wetland habitats. The key water quality parameters for the site are salinity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and nutrients Important biological processes include nutrient cycling and food webs. Figure Conceptual Model Showing Interaction of Critical and Supporting Elements
intertidal sand or mud flats mangroves saltmarshes permanent shallow marine water C2. Abundance and diversity of waterbirds sites found on the sand barrier islands orange-bellied parrot growling grass frog fairy tern Australian grayling S2. The site supports outstanding fish habitat values that contribute to the health and sustainability of the bioregion Supporting Components Supporting Processes Supporting Services/Benefits Important geomorphological features that control habitat extent and types include: sand barrier island and associated tidal delta system the extensive tidal channel network mudflats and sandflats. Invertebrate megafauna in seagrass beds and subtidal channels are important elements of biodiversity and control a range of ecosystem functions. The diverse fish communities underpin the biodiversity values of the site Climate, particularly patterns in temperature and rainfall, control a range of physical processes and ecosystem functions Important hydraulic and hydrological processes that support the ecological character of the site includes: Fluvial hydrology. Patterns of inundation and freshwater flows to wetland systems Physical coastal processes. Hydrodynamic controls and marine inflows that affect habitats through tides, currents, wind, erosion and accretion. Groundwater. For those wetlands influenced by groundwater interaction, the level of the groundwater table and groundwater quality. Water quality underpins aquatic ecosystem values within wetland habitats. The key water quality parameters for the site are salinity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and nutrients Important biological processes include nutrient cycling and food webs. The site supports recreation and tourism values (scenic values, boating, recreational fishing, camping, etc.) that have important flow-on economic effects for the region. The site provides a range of values important for scientific research, including a valuable reference site for future monitoring. Figure Conceptual Model Showing Interaction of Critical and Supporting Elements
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