WetlandUpdate September 2021

Nitrogen processes

Nitrogen is essential to life on Earth and can be found in all living systems, however, in excess it can also be harmful to the environment. The nitrogen processes pages synthesise information on nitrogen processing in the landscape. The pages provide an integrated understanding of nitrogen related chemical processes, and describes the complicated science related to the inputs, processes, stocks, outputs and effects of nitrogen.

A broad nitrogen cycle conceptual model has also been developed for the overall landscape, as well as specific conceptual models for lacustrine, mangrove, palustrine and rainforest systems. The conceptual models were compiled by researchers in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders from Natural Resource Management groups, universities and government agencies and based on available scientific information.

Wetlands play a key ecosystem service in the processing and storage of nitrogen. The nitrogen processes pages provide a comprehensive summary of these key processes, to inform management of aquatic and wetland systems.

Wetland treatment systems for nitrogen removal: a synthesis

The Wetland treatment systems for nitrogen removal factsheet provides details of a project that synthesises the results from wetland treatment system trials throughout Queensland. This project will address:

• How much nitrogen do treatment wetland systems remove?
• What features do treatment wetlands need to maximise nitrogen removal?
• How cost-effective are wetland treatment systems for nitrogen removal?

Updates

Updated layers on WetlandMaps and WetlandSummary

• New Dugong protection areas layer
• Updated Local Government Areas layer
• Updated Drainage divisions layer
• Updated Drainage basins layer
• Update Drainage sub basins layer.

Updated Wetland Projects Search Tool

Additional projects have been added to the wetland projects search tool including a number from the Herbert River Catchment and Landcare Group, Greening Australia and the Hinchinbrook Shire Council.

Additional links

• Murray-Darling Basin water information portal is on the Water management page
• Coombabah Creek sediment and tidal study is on the Fact Sheets page
• Incorporation of temporary river ecology into the sustainable management of water resources (Video presentation) is on the Water management page
• Securing biodiversity, functional integrity and ecosystem services in drying rivers (Video presentation) is on the Videos and interactive maps page
• The terrestrial and semi-aquatic invertebrates of intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams is on the Videos and interactive maps page
• The Australian Government's Threatened Species Strategy was released in May 2021, and is on the Programs, Policy and Legislation page.
• Queensland's Climate Action Plan 2030 is on the Changes in climate page.
• The first State of the World's Mangroves Report is on the Mangroves page.
• The Queensland Flood Risk Management Framework is available on the Queensland Reconstruction Authority’s website and on the Wetlands and Disaster Management page.
• The Keeping Queensland Clean: the Litter and Illegal Dumping Plan is now publically released, and is on the Litter and Illegal Dumping Management Framework (LIDMF) page.
• The State of the Environment Report 2020 is on the Reports and Monitoring pages.
• The Queensland Water Management Network (QWMN) Publications Page (includes a Strategic Review of Models) is on the Nitrogen, Get Mapping Help and Hydrology pages.
• The Great Barrier Reef Paddock and Catchment Science Story Map is on the Great Barrier Reef WetlandSummary page.
• The Coastal High-Tide Shorebird Habitat Management Guidelines are on the Roosting and Wetland Management Tools and Guides pages.
• The Queensland Government's Currawinya National Park Management Plan is on the Currawinya Ramsar Site WetlandSummary page.
• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority - offshore reef mapping of the Great Barrier Reef is available through the Reef Explorer Interactive Map and is on the Great Barrier Reef WetlandSummary and Intertidal and Subtidal Mapping Background pages.
• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority - the Science and Knowledge Needs for Management document is on the Great Barrier Reef WetlandSummary page.

WetlandUpdate

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WetlandInfo feature species

Grey mangrove shoots (Avicennia marina)

Photo by Fernanda Adame

The feature plant for September is the grey mangrove, Avicennia marina. Avicennia marina is a species of mangrove tree classified in the plant family Acanthaceae (formerly in the Verbenaceae or Avicenniaceae). It occurs in the intertidal zones of estuarine areas. The Grey mangrove is a highly variable tree, with three subspecies. It has been reported to tolerate extreme weather conditions, high winds, and various pests and diseases. It has smooth light-grey bark made up of thin, stiff, brittle flakes. It also has aerial roots (pneumatophores) that grow to a height of about 20 cm, and a diameter of 1 cm. These allow the plant to absorb oxygen, which is deficient in its habitat. These roots also anchor the plant during the frequent inundation of seawater in the soft substrate of tidal systems.

Nitrogen is processed by mangroves, providing a vital ecosystem service. Mangrove forests are highly productive, and are a major long-term sink for nitrogen.

Additional information

• Species profile
• Atlas of Living Australia.

This section is updated regularly, so stay tuned for more!

Last updated: 28 September 2021