Biological monitoring
In 2021, the Tamar Estuary and Esk Rivers Program (TEER) began planning a biological monitoring program; a unique program in northern Tasmania that will enhance our knowledge and understanding of the kanamaluka / Tamar estuary.
Value
The kanamaluka / Tamar estuary and its foreshore are associated with a wide variety of environmental values. The primary objective of the biological monitoring program is to improve the knowledge of the ecological values of the estuary, which should complement, integrate with, and build upon the on-going water quality monitoring to create a more holistic understanding of the health of the estuary.
Delivery
The TEER Program has identified five biological indicators that will form the basis of the monitoring program. The indicators cover the geographical extent of the kanamaluka / Tamar estuary and represent a range of ecological values.
The selected biological indicators are:
emergent tidal wetlands (including wetlands, saltmarsh, melaleuca swamp forest, and rice grass) condition and extent;
seagrass condition; and
The TEER Program will work with partners and external organisations to monitor each of the indicators, and the results will inform our understanding of the health of the estuarine ecosystem, how it has changed, and how we should manage these values in the future.
