Skip links and keyboard navigation

Moreton Bay Ramsar internationally important wetland

Access wetland mapping in PDF and KML format by selecting the desired 100K map tile below or download the data via the Queensland Government Information Service.

The below map is for visual representation purposes only. For more detailed mapping, please download the boundary KML.

Drag this bar to relocate the map on your screen

Open WetlandMaps interactive map server

Download boundary KML metadata

How to use KMLs?

Overview

 
Moreton Bay, Photo by Gary Cranitch copyright Queensland Museum
 
Moreton Bay, Photo by Gary Cranitch copyright Queensland Museum
 
Moreton Bay, Photo by Gary Cranitch copyright Queensland Museum
 
Moreton Bay, Photo by Gary Cranitch copyright Queensland Museum

The international importance of wetland areas within Moreton Bay was recognised with parts of the Bay and surrounds being designated as a Ramsar site in 1993. Covering more than 120,000ha, the Moreton Bay Ramsar site is extremely varied, ranging from perched freshwater lakes and sedge swamps on the offshore sand islands, to intertidal mudflats, marshes, sandflats, coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves next to the Bay’s islands and the mainland. This variety enhances the Bay’s biological diversity with an overlap of wildlife species normally considered tropical or temperate.

The site contains extensive intertidal areas that are valuable for supporting waterbirds and fauna of conservation significance, as well as providing important nursery conditions for fish and crustaceans.

Further information about the wetland values and management of the site can be found in the documents below:

The Moreton Bay Ramsar Information Sheet describes the boundary of the site and outlines justification for the listing. The RIS also describes the ecological character, threats, conservation measures and use of the site.

Moreton Bay—a wetland of international importance provides a summary of the values of the site.

Protecting and managing Ramsar sites is a collaborative effort. Federal, state and local governments work together with natural resource management groups, private industry, Traditional Owners, landholders and the community to care for the sites and the values they support.

Relevant protected area management plans can be found here and information on the Moreton Bay Marine Park can be found here. A full list of the areas covered by protected areas and council reserves are available through the Ramsar Information Sheet.

Additional resources can be found at the following links:

Wetlands International provides a Ramsar Sites: Directory and Overview for preparing reports on specific aspects of the site.

Catchment stories info

Wetland observations

Show comparison charts

Wetland extents info metadata

Based on wetland mapping version 7.0

Display areas in

Moreton Bay Ramsar internationally important wetland wetland area by system 2021
System Area (ha) % wetlands area % total area
Total 23,281 100.0% 19.3%
Artificial and highly modified < 1 0.0% 0.0%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 14,477 62.2% 12.0%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 1 0.0% 0.0%
Lacustrine (natural) 409 1.8% 0.3%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) < 1 0.0% 0.0%
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (natural) 8,373 36.0% 6.9%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 1 0.0% 0.0%
Riverine 19 0.1% 0.0%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (highly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 14,477 62.2% 12.0%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 1 0.0% 0.0%
Lacustrine (artificial) < 1 0.0% 0.0%
Lacustrine (highly modified) < 1 0.0% 0.0%
Lacustrine (natural) 409 1.8% 0.3%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) < 1 0.0% 0.0%
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (artificial) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (highly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (natural) 8,373 36.0% 6.9%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 1 0.0% 0.0%
Riverine (artificial) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Riverine (highly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Riverine (natural) 19 0.1% 0.0%
Riverine (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%

For definitions of artificial, highly modified, modified, slightly modified and natural wetlands, see the Queensland Wetland Mapping Method - A Method to Provide Baseline Mapping of Wetland Extent and Changes in Wetland Extent in Queensland.

Moreton Bay Ramsar internationally important wetland wetland area by habitat 2021
Habitat Area (ha) % wetlands area % total area
Total 23,200 100.0% 19.2%
Mangroves - Casuarina 660 2.8% 0.5%
Mangroves - other 11,842 51.0% 9.8%
Salt marsh and salt flats 1,916 8.3% 1.6%
Arid and semi-arid saline lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake 251 1.1% 0.2%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake 158 0.7% 0.1%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 2,625 11.3% 2.2%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp 567 2.4% 0.5%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 3,063 13.2% 2.5%
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 2,082 9.0% 1.7%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 33 0.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp 3 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal 0 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - Casuarina (natural) 660 2.8% 0.5%
Mangroves - Casuarina (slightly modified) < 1 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - other (natural) 11,841 51.0% 9.8%
Mangroves - other (slightly modified) < 1 0.0% 0.0%
Salt marsh and salt flats (natural) 1,915 8.3% 1.6%
Salt marsh and salt flats (slightly modified) < 1 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (natural) 251 1.1% 0.2%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake (natural) 158 0.7% 0.1%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 2,625 11.3% 2.2%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 567 2.4% 0.5%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 3,061 13.2% 2.5%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 1 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 2,082 9.0% 1.7%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) < 1 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 33 0.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 3 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%

Disclaimer

Areas do not include marine or estuarine waters but do include estuarine wetland vegetation
(e.g. mangroves and tidal flats).

All statistics are approximate and generated based on data transformed to a customised Albers equal-area projection, thus allowing wetland extent change for different regions of Queensland to be comparable.

Areas may change over time as mapping approaches improve.

Totals may not match the sum of individually displayed figures due to the rounding of displayed figures.

Wetland extent changes

Moreton Bay Ramsar internationally important wetland wetland extent change by system
System 2021 area
(ha)
2019 area
(ha)
2017 area
(ha)
2013 area
(ha)
2009 area
(ha)
2005 area
(ha)
2001 area
(ha)
pre-clear area
(ha)
2021/pre-clear
percentage
Total 23,281 23,261 23,263 23,262 23,272 23,274 23,272 23,654 * 98.4%
Artificial and highly modified < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 0 n/a
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 14,477 14,458 14,459 14,459 14,469 14,471 14,469 14,746 98.2%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 n/a
Lacustrine (natural) 409 409 409 409 409 409 409 409 100.0%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 0 n/a
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Palustrine (natural) 8,373 8,373 8,373 8,372 8,372 8,372 8,373 8,477 98.8%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 n/a
Riverine 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 21 87.2%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (highly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 14,477 14,458 14,459 14,459 14,469 14,471 14,469 14,746 98.2%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 n/a
Lacustrine (artificial) < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 0 n/a
Lacustrine (highly modified) < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 0 n/a
Lacustrine (natural) 409 409 409 409 409 409 409 409 100.0%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 0 n/a
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Palustrine (artificial) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Palustrine (highly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Palustrine (natural) 8,373 8,373 8,373 8,372 8,372 8,372 8,373 8,477 98.8%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 n/a
Riverine (artificial) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Riverine (highly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Riverine (natural) 19 19 19 19 19 19 19 21 87.2%
Riverine (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a

* Total 2021/pre-clear percentage excludes artificial and highly modified

Moreton Bay Ramsar internationally important wetland wetland extent change by habitat
Habitat 2021 area
(ha)
2019 area
(ha)
2017 area
(ha)
2013 area
(ha)
2009 area
(ha)
2005 area
(ha)
2001 area
(ha)
Total 23,200 23,191 23,193 23,192 23,202 23,204 23,202
Mangroves - Casuarina 660 637 637 637 636 636 636
Mangroves - other 11,842 11,275 11,276 11,276 11,280 11,282 11,281
Salt marsh and salt flats 1,916 2,496 2,496 2,496 2,503 2,503 2,503
Arid and semi-arid saline lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake 251 251 251 251 251 251 251
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake 158 158 158 158 158 158 158
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 2,625 2,625 2,625 2,625 2,625 2,625 2,625
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp 567 567 567 568 568 568 568
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 3,063 3,063 3,063 3,062 3,062 3,062 3,062
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 2,082 2,082 2,082 2,082 2,082 2,082 2,082
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 33 33 33 33 33 33 33
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mangroves - Casuarina (natural) 660 637 637 637 636 636 636
Mangroves - Casuarina (slightly modified) < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1
Mangroves - other (natural) 11,841 11,275 11,275 11,275 11,280 11,281 11,280
Mangroves - other (slightly modified) < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1
Salt marsh and salt flats (natural) 1,915 2,495 2,495 2,495 2,502 2,502 2,502
Salt marsh and salt flats (slightly modified) < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (natural) 251 251 251 251 251 251 251
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake (natural) 158 158 158 158 158 158 158
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 2,625 2,625 2,625 2,625 2,625 2,625 2,625
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 567 567 567 568 568 568 568
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 3,061 3,061 3,061 3,061 3,061 3,061 3,061
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 2,082 2,082 2,082 2,082 2,082 2,082 2,082
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 33 33 33 33 33 33 33
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Disclaimer

Areas do not include marine or estuarine waters but do include estuarine wetland vegetation
(e.g. mangroves and tidal flats).

All statistics are approximate and generated based on data transformed to a customised Albers equal-area projection, thus allowing wetland extent change for different regions of Queensland to be comparable.

Areas may change over time as mapping approaches improve.

Totals may not match the sum of individually displayed figures due to the rounding of displayed figures.

Australian Land Use and Management Classification (ALUMC) metadata

Moreton Bay Ramsar internationally important wetland land use
ALUMC code and description Area (ha) % total area
Total 52,370 43.4%
1.1 Nature conservation 35,406 29.3%
1.1.3 National park 31,835 26.4%
1.1.4 Natural feature protection 2,494 2.1%
1.1.6 Protected landscape 4 0.0%
1.1.7 Other conserved area 1,072 0.9%
6.5 Marsh/wetland 11,178 9.3%
6.5.0 Marsh/wetland 10,289 8.5%
6.5.1 Marsh/wetland - conservation 862 0.7%
6.5.2 Marsh/wetland - production 27 0.0%
1.3 Other minimal use 2,675 2.2%
1.3.0 Other minimal use 179 0.1%
1.3.3 Residual native cover 2,496 2.1%
6.3 River 1,856 1.5%
6.3.0 River 1,855 1.5%
6.3.3 River - intensive use < 1 0.0%
6.6 Estuary/coastal waters 521 0.4%
6.6.0 Estuary/coastal waters 521 0.4%
6.6.3 Estuary/coastal waters - intensive use 0 0.0%
6.1 Lake 263 0.2%
6.1.0 Lake 263 0.2%
2.2 Production native forests 147 0.1%
2.2.0 Production native forests 147 0.1%
5.5 Services 141 0.1%
5.5.1 Commercial services 9 0.0%
5.5.2 Public services < 1 0.0%
5.5.3 Recreation and culture 131 0.1%
5.5.5 Research facilities < 1 0.0%
5.4 Residential and farm infrastructure 104 0.1%
5.4.1 Urban residential 76 0.1%
5.4.2 Rural residential with agriculture 4 0.0%
5.4.3 Rural residential without agriculture 24 0.0%
2.1 Grazing native vegetation 59 0.0%
2.1.0 Grazing native vegetation 59 0.0%
6.2 Reservoir/dam 12 0.0%
6.2.0 Reservoir/dam 12 0.0%
3.6 Land in transition 4 0.0%
3.6.0 Land in transition 3 0.0%
3.6.3 Land under rehabilitation < 1 0.0%
3.1 Plantation forests 3 0.0%
3.1.0 Plantation forests 3 0.0%
5.7 Transport and communication < 1 0.0%
5.7.0 Transport and communication < 1 0.0%
5.7.1 Airports/aerodromes < 1 0.0%
5.7.2 Roads < 1 0.0%
5.7.4 Ports and water transport < 1 0.0%
5.2 Intensive animal production < 1 0.0%
5.2.5 Aquaculture < 1 0.0%
5.2.6 Horse studs < 1 0.0%
5.8 Mining < 1 0.0%
5.8.0 Mining < 1 0.0%
5.8.4 Extractive industry not in use < 1 0.0%
5.3 Manufacturing and industrial < 1 0.0%
5.3.0 Manufacturing and industrial < 1 0.0%
3.3 Cropping < 1 0.0%
3.3.5 Sugar < 1 0.0%
4.4 Irrigated perennial horticulture < 1 0.0%
4.4.0 Irrigated perennial horticulture < 1 0.0%
5.6 Utilities < 1 0.0%
5.6.7 Water extraction and transmission < 1 0.0%
5.9 Waste treatment and disposal < 1 0.0%
5.9.2 Landfill < 1 0.0%
5.1 Intensive horticulture < 1 0.0%
5.1.0 Intensive horticulture < 1 0.0%
4.3 Irrigated cropping < 1 0.0%
4.3.0 Irrigated cropping < 1 0.0%

Wildlife

Kingdom
Class
Native Introduced Wetland
indicator
species
Rare or
threatened
species
All
TOTAL 3,677 686 517 139 4,364
Animals 990 43 258 92 1,033
Mammals 107 16 9 12 123
Birds 495 11 101 52 506
Reptiles 108 2 16 8 110
Amphibians 39 1 17 7 40
Lobe-finned fishes 1 0 1 1 1
Ray-finned fishes 56 10 65 4 66
Cartilaginous fishes 19 0 19 2 19
Lampreys 1 0 1 1 1
Insects 155 3 29 3 158
Malacostracans 8 0 0 2 8
Snails 1 0 0 0 1
Bacteria 33 0 0 0 33
Chromists 67 0 0 0 67
Fungi 527 0 0 0 527
Plants 2,058 643 259 47 2,702
Protozoans 2 0 0 0 2

Note: Wildlife statistics are based on information that has been submitted to the DETSI WildNet database and converted to a 10km² grid. The grid information has been intersected with the mapping polygons to determine the species lists. Click here to view the species grid metadata.

Information from WildNet can also be accessed via Wildlife Online and WetlandMaps.

Rare or threatened includes species listed as extinct, extinct in the wild, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or conservation dependent under either the Nature Conservation Act or Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

Disclaimer: While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this product, the Queensland Government and Australian Government make no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaim all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which might be incurred as a consequence of reliance on the product, or as a result of the product being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason.

AreaType-ramsar-wetland

This page should be cited as:

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2019) Moreton Bay Ramsar internationally important wetland — facts and maps, WetlandInfo website, accessed 8 May 2025. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/facts-maps/ramsar-wetland-moreton-bay/

Queensland Government
WetlandInfo   —   Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation