8. East Coast Cape Barren Island Lagoons
Information in the Ecological Character Description (ECD) (Hydro Tasmania Consulting 2009) and the latest version of the RIS for the East Coast
Cape Barren Island Lagoons Ramsar site were reviewed to identify threats to the ecological character of the site. Terminology from these key
Ramsar documents was aligned to be consistent with the approach of the Ramsar Rolling Review (see Table 1).
The Ramsar Rolling Review uses the IUCN threat classification to standardise terminology across sites. All threat categories identified at the East
Coast Cape Barren Island Lagoons Ramsar site are listed in Table 2.
The critical components, processes and services (CPS) specified in the ECD are reproduced in Table 3. Threats which have the potential to
change one or more of the critical CPS within a 10 year timeframe are defined as imminent threats to the ecological character of the site (labelled
IMM in Table 3). Consultation with site managers was undertaken to ensure the correct identification of current and imminent threats (see Table
1).
A stressor model is presented to illustrate the major pathways by which imminent threats effect the critical CPS. For clarity, the model does not
attempt to show non-imminent threats, weak linkages or feedbacks. Hydro Tasmania Consulting (2009) included a conceptual model in the ECD
which formed the starting point for the development of the model presented below.
Table 1: Notes regarding alignment of terminology and additional information sourced from site managers to aid in the development of
the sites threat conceptual model.
Notes:
Five general components and processes are listed as critical in the draft Ecological Character Description (ECD) (see Table 3)
Key threats identified in the draft ECD (Hydro Tasmania Consulting 2009) are:
 Increased fire frequency = 7 Natural system modification, 7.1 Fire and fire suppression
 Introduction of exotic species = 8, Invasive and other problematic species, 8.1 Invasive non-native/alien species
 Wind erosion caused by anthropogenic causes = 6 Human intrusions and disturbance, 6.1 recreational activities
 Inappropriate 4WD access and other human impacts = 6 Human intrusions and disturbance, 6.1 recreational activities
 Climate change = 11 Climate change and severe weather, 11.4 Storms and flooding – increased windiness
Ecosystem services considered important for the site include (from draft ECD):
 Supporting service: representative of a natural or near natural wetland ecosystem,
 Supporting service: supports biodiversity,
 Regulating service: provides coastal stabilisation and storm protection
 Cultural service: provides cultural values
Table 2: Major categories and subcategories of current threats for the Ramsar site.
8. East Coast Cape Barren Island Lagoons
6. Human Intrusion & Disturbance
6.1 Recreation activities
11. Climate Change & Severe Weather
11.4 Storms & flooding
7. Natural System Modification
7.1 Fire & fire suppression
8. Invasive & Other Problematic Species & Genes
8.1 Invasive non-native/alien Species
8.1 Invasive nonnative/alien Species
Flora
7.1 Fire & fire
suppression
6.1 Recreation
activities
Components, Processes and
Services (CPS) (components shaded
blue, processes green, services
yellow)
IMM
IMM
11.4 Storms & flooding
Table 3: Matrix of all current threats against critical components, processes, and services showing those considered to be an imminent
threat to the ecological character of the Ramsar site.
Fauna
Geomorphology/geology sediment
transport and deposition
IMM
IMM
IMM
IMM
Hydrology
Water quality
Regulating service: Stock watering
Cultural service: Cultural heritage and
7.1 Fire & fire
suppression
8.1 Invasive nonnative/alien Species
Supporting service: Biodiversity
IMM
IMM
IMM
Supporting service: Natural or near
natural wetland ecosystems
IMM
11.4 Storms & flooding
6.1 Recreation
activities
Components, Processes and
Services (CPS) (components shaded
blue, processes green, services
yellow)
identity
IMM
Key to shapes used in conceptual model.
References:
Hydro Tasmania Consulting (2009) Cape Barren Island Lagoons Ramsar Site ECD. Update and Review. Draft 25 th August 2009.
8. East Coast Cape Barren Island Lagoons
8. Invasive & Other
Problematic Species
8.1. Invasive non native/alien
Species
7. Natural System Modifications
7.1. Fire and fires suppression
Increased freq. of wild
fires
Indicator: Number and
extent of wildfires, extent
of habitat loss
11. Climate Change & Severe Weather
11.4. Storms & flooding (increased
windiness)
Increased freq. of escaped
control burns
Indicator: Number of
escaped control burns,
extent of habitat loss
6. Human Intrusions & Disturbance
6.1. Recreational activities
Increased erosion (freq.
of dune blowouts)
Indicator: Number and
extent of blowouts, rate of
encroachment
Invasive species
(rabbits, thistle, gorse,
Marram grass,
Seaspurge)
Indicator: Species
abundance, extent
Reduced
flora
diversity
Change in
physical
habitat (dune
destabilisation)
Component:
Geomorphology
Service:
Near natural
wetland ecosystem
Change in
vegetation
type
(shrubland
to herbland)
Component:
Vegetation
Service:
Biodiversity
Increased physical
disturbance
Indicator: Visitor
numbers
Facilitation
of invasive
species,
Phytophora
Altered
community
composition
Service:
Coastal shoreline
stabilisation