124
Potential damage to beaches, estuaries, mangroves, salt-marshes, and important
recreational, biodiversity and industry assets
Previous removal of dune systems undermines resilience
Invasive species
More droughts, storms and fire impacts could change disturbance of systems
Increased disturbance could enhance opportunities for invasion
Source: Adapted from AMLR (2007)
7.6.
Summary
x
The Study Area is characterised by highly modified watercourses (River Torrens, Dry Creek,
Grange Creek) and natural and constructed wetlands that provide habitat for marine, freshwater
and terrestrial activity. These are at threat of altered flow regimes, increased pollution, modified
water quality, increases in flooding, and altered water regimes.
x
Remnant patches of biodiversity are retained across the Study Area within parks, reserves, and
dunes, and estuaries. Many areas of biodiversity are located on land that is privately owned.
Climate change impacts that threaten the biodiversity include intrusion of weeds and pest animals,
pollution, flooding, wind and water erosion, fragmentation, intertidal competition, sea level rise,
salinity, and future development.
x
The coast and estuarine environment are important environmental assets in the Study Area.
These cover the Barker Inlet, Port River Estuary, the Torrens Estuary and aquatic reserves. Major
threats arise from coastal acid sulphate soils, seagrass decline, thermal discharges, altered
groundwater discharge, and human activities.
x
Groundwater resources are under increasing demands and reduced recharge.
