outbreaks of disease, introduced species and pest species. Physical processes Outlook Report 2009: Assessment summary The physical processes of the Great Barrier Reef are changing, in particular sedimentation and sea temperature. Further changes in factors such as sea temperature, sea level and sedimentation are expected because of climate change and catchment runoff. Grade Grade 2014 Confidence Assessment 2009 and trend component Assessment summary Grade Trend There is evidence of intensified flow and Very good, Currents accelerated warming in the East Very good Anecdotal Anecdotal Deteriorated Australian Current. Between 2005 and 2013, there were six category 3 or above cyclones in the Cyclones and Good, Region. There is emerging evidence of Good Limited Limited wind Deteriorated increases in wind strength Large volumes of freshwater have Freshwater entered the Region in the past five Good, Adequate Adequate Good inflow years, including record flows for some Deteriorated rivers. Sediment loads entering the Region continue to be at least double those occurring before European settlement. Poor, Adequate Adequate Sedimentation Improved land management is Poor Deteriorated beginning to reduce sediment input, but measurable improvements in the Region may take decades. The fastest rates of sea level rise in Australian waters are in northern areas. Good, Adequate Adequate Sea level Good Average sea level rise in the Region is Deteriorated 3.1 millimetres per year. The ocean has warmed substantially Sea over the last century. Most of the Poor, Adequate Adequate Poor temperature warmest years have been in the past Deteriorated two decades. It is likely that light availability has decreased substantially in the inshore Good, Light areas of the southern two-thirds of the Good Limited Limited Deteriorated Region due to land-based run-off and extreme weather. The condition of all physical processes has declined since 2009. Further changes in processes such as sea temperature, sea level, cyclones and Physical wind, freshwater inflow, waves and Good, Good processes currents are expected under climate Deteriorated change projections. Reduced sediment loads entering the Region are likely to improve the processes of sedimentation and light availability in the longer term.
outbreaks of disease, introduced species and pest species. Physical processes Outlook Report 2009: Assessment summary The physical processes of the Great Barrier Reef are changing, in particular sedimentation and sea temperature. Further changes in factors such as sea temperature, sea level and sedimentation are expected because of climate change and catchment runoff. Assessment component Assessment summary Grade 2009 Grade 2014 and trend Confidence Grade Trend Currents There is evidence of intensified flow and accelerated warming in the East Australian Current. Very good Very good, Deteriorated Anecdotal Anecdotal Cyclones and wind Between 2005 and 2013, there were six category 3 or above cyclones in the Region. There is emerging evidence of increases in wind strength Good Good, Deteriorated Limited Limited Freshwater inflow Large volumes of freshwater have entered the Region in the past five years, including record flows for some rivers. Good Good, Deteriorated Adequate Adequate Sedimentation Sediment loads entering the Region continue to be at least double those occurring before European settlement. Improved land management is beginning to reduce sediment input, but measurable improvements in the Region may take decades. Poor Poor, Deteriorated Adequate Adequate Sea level The fastest rates of sea level rise in Australian waters are in northern areas. Average sea level rise in the Region is 3.1 millimetres per year. Good Good, Deteriorated Adequate Adequate Sea temperature The ocean has warmed substantially over the last century. Most of the warmest years have been in the past two decades. Poor Poor, Deteriorated Adequate Adequate Light It is likely that light availability has decreased substantially in the inshore areas of the southern two-thirds of the Region due to land-based run-off and extreme weather. Good Good, Deteriorated Limited Limited Physical processes The condition of all physical processes has declined since 2009. Further changes in processes such as sea temperature, sea level, cyclones and wind, freshwater inflow, waves and currents are expected under climate change projections. Reduced sediment loads entering the Region are likely to improve the processes of sedimentation and light availability in the longer term. Good Good, Deteriorated
GBR_Outlook_2014_Chapter3_Ecosystem_health.docx