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Estuaries are found where the river meets the sea, where fresh waters from upland catchments mix with marine oceanic waters. They are unique and incredibly biodiverse ecosystems that are often influenced by tides, and are protected from the full force of ocean waves, winds and storms by surrounding land forms like headlands, sand dunes or coastal floodplains. The NSW coastal zone contains 184 estuaries that vary in size from small coastal creeks and lagoons to large lakes and rivers, representing one of the most important natural assets of the state.

Climate change in NSW estuaries

With more than two-thirds of the state’s population living in estuarine catchments, there is no doubt about the enormous values that estuaries hold for our society. However, these systems are facing an uncertain future in a world of rapidly changing climate. Read more…

Our climate change in estuaries guide was featured in Wetlands Australia 2019

Wetlands Australia is published each year in February by the Australian Department of the Environment and Energy on World Wetlands Day since 1995. This years’ issue, the 31st, featured an article about our work on climate change in estuaries and the risk assessment guide.

The article titled ‘A new resource for assessing climate change in coastal wetlands: State of the science’ can be accessed here.