Biodiversity
Page 241
•
Reductions in winter and spring rainfall and particularly autumn rainfall, but
with a slight increase in summer rainfall;
•
No significant change in rainfall
intensity
in the Adelaide region, with
rainfall intensity declines possible (this differs from rainfall intensity
changes in parts of Australia such as the tropics). Intensity refers to the
amount of rain that falls during a single event.
Changes in temperature, rainfall and evaporation are likely to have impacts on
the composition of vegetation communities, population mixes within species and
the timing of activities of organisms, such as the flowering of plants. This
phenomenon of seasonal shifting is already being seen in some agricultural
areas of northern SA. It is suggested that climate change is likely to impact
significantly on bird populations in terms of geographic range, migration
patterns, morphology, physiology, abundance and community composition. This
is of particular concern locally, given the City of Port Adelaide Enfield provides
habitat to numerous nationally and internationally protected migratory bird
populations (PAE Biodiversity Management Plan 2009 - 2014).
Climate Change is emerging as a critical issue for planning along coastal areas
of the Council. The predicted rise in sea level (0.88 to 1.2m by 2100) and the
forecast increase in storm surges are predicted to impact on biodiversity in
higher fragmented terrestrial coastal areas. The high risk areas are in the small
restricted areas and exist within limited 'climate envelopes'. If these species are
unable to move in response to climate change because of habitat fragmentation
and modification, such species may be unable to sustain viable populations. In
wetland estuary areas it will be particularly important to ensure the provision of
adequate buffers or accession zones so that future development does not
become a barrier to the movement of species landwards as sea levels rise.
In 2008 and 2009 drought conditions resulted in enormous pressure on large
street and reserve trees due to longer heatwaves and lack of access to
adequate water from ground and surface water runoff. It is likely that a
significant loss of larger trees will occur in the City over the next decade, and
new plantings and species selection will need to take into account the future
lack of water and increased length and intensity of heat waves in summer.
The total area contained within Council’s reserves currently under-represent
natural ecological communities and many of the existing reserves are highly
disturbed. Unless appropriate management actions are implemented as climatic
changes occur, it is likely that these reserves will become even less adequate in
their capacity to maintain biodiversity, making it more important for these and
other areas external to the reserve system to be enhanced for native
biodiversity (PAE Biodiversity Management Plan 2009 - 2014).
In 2012/13 Council is undertaking a comprehensive Western Region Climate
Change Adaptation Plan, in partnership with West Torrens and Charles Sturt
Councils, and State and Commonwealth agencies. This work will include
biodiversity as a key topic of research to further explore the potential changes in
