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Coastal Indicators

This content comes from the OzCoasts website and will be upgraded in the future to allow experts to edit the content directly.

The coastal indicator knowledge and information system is an information source and education tool for managers, students, researchers and policy makers with an interest in the coastal zone. It consists of a series of fact sheets that provide background scientific information on issues and measures that are commonly used as indicators. More ...

Coastal issues

Declining water quality 
Acid sulfate soils, Algal blooms, Anoxic and hypoxic events, Eutrophication, Fine sediment loads, Fish kills,Freshwater flows, Shellfish quality & closures
Climate change 
Climate change, Global warming, Ocean acidification, Saline intrusion, Sea level rise, Vector borne diseases
Habitat/species alterations 
Beach erosion, Biodiversity, Habitat loss, Hydrodynamic alteration, Marine pest invasions
Economic value and consequences 
Acid sulfate soils, Algal blooms, Commercial fisheries, Declining biodiversity, Human-made capital, Mangrove removal, Marine pest invasions, Recreational fisheries

Biophysical indicators

Water quality 
Chlorophyll a, CO2 partial pressure, Dissolved oxygen, Marine pathogens, Metal contaminants, pH, Salinity,Turbidity, Water column nutrients, Water temperature
Sediment quality 
Benthic CO2 flux, Denitrification efficiency, Organic matter & nutrients, Sediment P/R ratio, Sedimentation rates,Sediment TOC:TS ratios, Toxicants
Habitat extent & quality 
Beach & dune indicators, Changes in mangrove areas, Changes in salt marsh areas, Changes in seagrass areas, Changes in wetland coverage, Index of habitat variability, Isohaline position, Maturity index & lifespan
Biotic indicators 
Benthic invertebrates, Diatom species composition, Fish assemblages, Hermit crabs, Imposex frequency,Intertidal invertebrates, Macroalgal indicators, Seagrass species, Shorebird counts

Pressure indicators

Agricultural 
Impoundment density, Percent of agriculture on steep slopes, Percent of agricultural land area, Pesticide hazard,Rivers through forest
Industrial 
Aquaculture pressure, Coastal tourism, Fishing pressure, Industrial point source hazard, Shipping, boating and yachting
Urban 
Coastal discharges, Coastal population, Nutrient point source hazard, Stormwater discharges
Catchment condition 
Catchment condition index, Native vegetation extent, Rivers in acid hazard

Coastal management indicators


Coastal care community groups, Marine network participation, and Marine protected areas.