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Issues ConditionThreatening Processes |
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At a glance 
The issue 'Wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or modified, permanent or temporary, fresh, brackish or salt. Wetlands include lakes, subterranean karst wetlands, impoundments, wetlands associated with rivers, and marine and coastal wetlands such as mudflats, estuaries and seagrass beds' (DPIWE 2000). Concern over the state of Tasmanian wetlands has increased due to a greater recognition of their environmental, social and economic significance. This 'At a glance' section provides an overview of the wetlands issue. More detailed information and references are available in the Wetlands Issue Report. Two indicators are included in the report on the extent, condition and reservation of wetlands in Tasmania. A specific recommendation on the Protection and Management of Wetlands is provided and there are several other related recommendations. Favourable news - Tasmania has a large number of wetlands. They are diverse and widely distributed throughout the State. Many of these wetlands are considered to be in near-pristine condition and offer outstanding examples of different wetland types in a temperate region.
- A condition and status assessment for 86 out of 89 Tasmanian wetland sites listed in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia (DIWA) (Dunn 2002) found that approximately 60% are in good or near pristine condition.
- A further 281 sites have been considered to be of conservation significance and have been proposed for DIWA listing. These sites, combined with sub-regional listed sites, were found to be in generally good condition (69% of sites), with 12% in only a fair or degraded condition, and 17% unknown.
- There are 148 wetland sites in Tasmania currently considered to have high conservation value. There are 59 wetlands recognised as being important for conservation at the State level and 89 at the national level through the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia (Environment Australia 2001). Ten of the nationally recognised wetlands are also internationally recognised under the Ramsar Convention.
- The Wetlands Strategy for Tasmania Draft Discussion Paper (DPIWE 2000), the National Land and Water Resources Audit assessment of the Condition and Status of Tasmania's Wetlands and Riparian Vegetation (Dunn 2002), and the DPIWE's current Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystem Values Project continue to be important for improving the inventory of the State's wetlands. They provide a better picture of wetland condition and conservation value, and a greater awareness of the threats to wetlands.
Unfavourable news - One in four of the 86 DIWA listed wetlands are declining in condition or have suffered species extinction, particularly in the Flinders bioregion.
- One quarter of the 281 proposed sites for DIWA listing are declining in condition or have suffered extinctions across six of the nine bioregions in the State.
- The degradation and loss of wetland areas has, in turn, affected the biodiversity and landform values reliant on these systems.
- Only a small number of sites listed for their conservation significance across the State currently have any sort of short- or long-term security (e.g. through reservation).
- Much of the knowledge available for Tasmania's wetlands (in terms of their condition, status and extent) has been patchy, outdated and/or biased toward flora or bird values alone, and largely limited to coastal and small lentic wetlands.
- There is currently no single policy or piece of legislation in Tasmania which governs the conservation and management of wetlands, although there are many which are relevant (DPIWE 2000).
Uncertain news - The original extent of wetlands before Europeans arrived is unknown, making it difficult to assess any changes since that time.
- The processes threatening wetlands in Tasmania have changed over time, making it difficult to determine whether the threats are increasing or diminishing. In recent years draining and clearing of wetlands for agricultural use has slowed but alterations to flow regimes and water quality, particularly as urban development encroaches onto wetlands, has become a major degrading influence (DPIWE 2000).
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