Biological monitoring
In 2021, the Tamar Estuary and Esk Rivers Program (TEER) began planning a biological monitoring pilot ; a unique program in northern Tasmania to enhance 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 focussed on identified five biological indicators that formed 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:
emergent tidal wetlands (including wetlands, saltmarsh, melaleuca swamp forest, and rice grass) condition and extent;
seagrass condition; and
The TEER Program worked with partners and external organisations to monitor each of the indicators, and the results are continuing to inform our understanding of the health of the estuarine ecosystem, how it has changed, and how to manage these values in the future.
