Coastal indicator factsheets

The coastal indicator knowledge and information system is an information source and education tool for managers, students, researchers and policy makers with an interest in the coastal zone. It consists of a series of fact sheets that provide background scientific information on issues and measures that are commonly used as indicators. More ...

Coastal issues

Declining water quality
Acid sulfate soils, Algal blooms, Anoxic and hypoxic events, Eutrophication, Fine sediment loads, Fish kills, Freshwater flows, Shellfish quality & closures

Climate change
Climate change, Global warming, Ocean acidification, Saline intrusion, Sea level rise, Vector borne diseases

Habitat/species alterations
Beach erosion, Biodiversity, Habitat loss, Hydrodynamic alteration, Marine pest invasions

Economic value and consequences
Acid sulfate soils, Algal blooms, Commercial fisheries, Declining biodiversity, Human-made capital, Mangrove removal, Marine pest invasions, Recreational fisheries

Biophysical indicators

Water quality
Chlorophyll a, CO2 partial pressure, Dissolved oxygen, Marine pathogens, Metal contaminants, pH, Salinity, Turbidity, Water column nutrients, Water temperature

Sediment quality
Benthic CO2 flux, Denitrification efficiency, Organic matter & nutrients, Sediment P/R ratio, Sedimentation rates, Sediment TOC:TS ratios, Toxicants

Habitat extent & quality
Beach & dune indicators, Changes in mangrove areas, Changes in salt marsh areas, Changes in seagrass areas, Changes in wetland coverage, Index of habitat variability, Isohaline position, Maturity index & lifespan

Biotic indicators
Benthic invertebrates, Diatom species composition, Fish assemblages, Hermit crabs, Imposex frequency, Intertidal invertebrates, Macroalgal indicators, Seagrass species, Shorebird counts

Pressure indicators

Agricultural
Impoundment density, Percent of agriculture on steep slopes, Percent of agricultural land area, Pesticide hazard, Rivers through forest

Industrial
Aquaculture pressure, Coastal tourism, Fishing pressure, Industrial point source hazard, Shipping, boating and yachting

Urban
Coastal discharges, Coastal population, Nutrient point source hazard, Stormwater discharges

Catchment condition
Catchment condition index, Native vegetation extent, Rivers in acid hazard

Coastal management indicators

Coastal care community groups, Marine network participation, and Marine protected areas.