Historical distribution of estuarine wetlands at Kurnell Penisula, Botany Bay

Abstract

Estuarine wetlands are important habitats for fish and birds and information concerning changes to their distribution is required to aid management decisions. Analysis of a series of aerial photographs taken between 1856 and 1996 showed a substantial increase in area of mangrove (39.5 ha, 33%) and woodland (67.6 ha, 60%) in an estuarine wetlands on the eastern side of Quibray Bay Kurnell. Simultaneously, saltmarsh vegetation decreased by a substantial amount (62.4 ha, 79%). These changes in vegetation coverage appear to be related to landuse on the Kurnell Penisula, particulary an increase in industrialization and urbanization over the last 50 years.