title: Mangrove response to environmental change in Australia's Gulf of Carpentaria.
abstract: Across their range, mangroves are responding to coastal environmental change. However, separating the influence of human activities from natural events and processes (including that associated with climatic fluctuation) is often difficult. In the Gulf of Carpentaria, northern Australia (Leichhardt, Nicholson, Mornington Inlet, and Flinders River catchments), changes in mangroves are assumed to be the result of natural drivers as human impacts are minimal. By comparing classifications from time series of Landsat sensor data for the period 1987-2014, mangroves were observed to have extended seawards by up to 1.9 km (perpendicular to the coastline), with inland intrusion occurring along many of the rivers and rivulets in the tidal reaches. Seaward expansion was particularly evident near the mouth of the Leichhardt River, and was associated with peaks in river discharge with LiDAR data indicating distinct structural zones developing following each large rainfall and discharge event. However, along the Gulf coast, and particularly within the Mornington Inlet catchment, the expansion was more gradual and linked to inundation and regular sediment supply through freshwater input. Landward expansion along the Mornington Inlet catchment was attributed to the combined effects of sea level rise and prolonged periods of tidal and freshwater inundation on coastal lowlands. The study concluded that increased amounts of rainfall and associated flooding and sea level rise were responsible for recent seaward and landward extension of mangroves in this region.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science The University of New South Wales High Street Kensington NSW 2052 Australia.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Asbridge
authors.affiliation: Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science The University of New South Wales High Street Kensington NSW 2052 Australia.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.affiliation: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Christian Laboratory Land and Water Flagship Clunies Ross Street Black Mountain ACT2601 Australia.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ticehurst
authors.affiliation: Department of Geography and Earth Sciences (DGES) Aberystwyth University Penglais Campus Aberystwyth Ceredigion SY23 3DB UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bunting
keywords: Biodiversity; botany; climate changes; ecology; ecosystems; mangroves