Extreme events (storms and high rainfall events) are predicted (with high confidence) to increase in frequency(Grose et al. 2015). Erosion of shorelines in Western Port is currently occurring, particularly in the Increased Eastern Arm near Lang Lang, due to the combined actions of waves and frequency and tidal cycles. A recent study concluded "There was no evidence from intensity of Climate monitoring sites that storm events caused significantly greater erosion, storms leads to change however determining these thresholds and wave impacts is an important increased precursor for the design of effective erosion control structures." (Tomkins erosion of et al. 2014). However development close to shorelines decreases potential shorelines for inland migration if shores erode. Western Port Local Coastal Hazard Assessment indicates widespread and significant impacts by 2100 (Arrowsmith and Womersley 2014). Increased frequency and intensity of Climate Adversely affects Almost Seagrass in intertidal zones is most vulnerable, with a very large proportion storms leads to Major Extreme change seagrass certain of the seagrass in Western Port in intertidal and shallow waters. increased erosion of shorelines 20 Increased frequency and intensity of Adversely affects Climate Almost Similarly, intertidal flats are exposed to wave action and increased storms storms leads to intertidal and Major Extreme change certain will result in physical damage and follow on effects to benthic invertebrates. increased subtidal flats erosion of shorelines 20 Increased frequency and intensity of Adversely affects Climate Exposed shallow sub-tidal reefs may be physically damaged by storm surges, storms leads to intertidal and Possible Moderate Medium change but are less vulnerable than intertidal habitats. increased subtidal reefs erosion of shorelines 9 Increased frequency and intensity of Climate Adversely affects Destruction of coastal dunes systems due to wave action, higher tides and storms leads to Likely Major High change saltmarsh resulting loss of natural barriers adversely impact on saltmarsh. increased erosion of shorelines 16
Climate change Increased frequency and intensity of storms leads to increased erosion of shorelines Extreme events (storms and high rainfall events) are predicted (with high confidence) to increase in frequency(Grose et al. 2015). Erosion of shorelines in Western Port is currently occurring, particularly in the Eastern Arm near Lang Lang, due to the combined actions of waves and tidal cycles. A recent study concluded "There was no evidence from monitoring sites that storm events caused significantly greater erosion, however determining these thresholds and wave impacts is an important precursor for the design of effective erosion control structures." (Tomkins et al. 2014). However development close to shorelines decreases potential for inland migration if shores erode. Western Port Local Coastal Hazard Assessment indicates widespread and significant impacts by 2100 (Arrowsmith and Womersley 2014). Climate change Increased frequency and intensity of storms leads to increased erosion of shorelines Adversely affects seagrass Almost certain Major Extreme Seagrass in intertidal zones is most vulnerable, with a very large proportion of the seagrass in Western Port in intertidal and shallow waters. 20 Climate change Increased frequency and intensity of storms leads to increased erosion of shorelines Adversely affects intertidal and subtidal flats Almost certain Major Extreme Similarly, intertidal flats are exposed to wave action and increased storms will result in physical damage and follow on effects to benthic invertebrates. 20 Climate change Increased frequency and intensity of storms leads to increased erosion of shorelines Adversely affects intertidal and subtidal reefs Possible Moderate Medium Exposed shallow sub-tidal reefs may be physically damaged by storm surges, but are less vulnerable than intertidal habitats. 9 Climate change Increased frequency and intensity of storms leads to increased erosion of shorelines Adversely affects saltmarsh Likely Major High Destruction of coastal dunes systems due to wave action, higher tides and resulting loss of natural barriers adversely impact on saltmarsh. 16
Western-Port-Ramsar-Site-Management-Plan_revised.docx