Sandy beaches are under threat from a range of threats. They can accumulate marine debris (Gacutan et al. 2022) that can adversely affect coastal fauna through entanglement and ingestion (e.g. Costa et al. 2022, Mylius et al. 2023). They also experience the establishment and expansion of invasive plants (Chen 2019), such as Marram Grass Ammophila arenaria and Sea Spurge Euphorbia paralias (Giulio et al, 2022).

Extensive efforts are made to collect the debris and remove invasive plants from beaches and foreshores around Australia by members of the public, community groups, commercial businesses and government agencies. However, despite their best intentions, these efforts also have the potential to disturb nesting shorebirds and seabirds.

Projected sea-level rises will also exacerbate current threats to coastal fauna and flora as associated erosion will reduce the extent of sandy beaches (DPIPWE 2016).

Management of coastal areas to eliminate or minimise the threats to shorebirds and seabirds is critical to maintain their populations. Extensive nest mapping data has been collected since 1992/93 on the six focal species (Hooded Plover Thinornis rubricollis, Red-Capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillus, Australian Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris, Sooty Oystercatcher H. fuliginosus, Fairy Tern Sternula nereis and Little Tern S. albifrons).

This information was used to map the Tasmanian coastline using a simple 'traffic light' scheme to identify areas of high, medium/unknown and low sensitivity, indicating the risk/vulnerability of the bird breeding/nesting habitat to human-related disturbance during their breeding season (nominally 1 September to 31 March).

Information on migratory shorebirds that utilise foreshore feeding and roosting areas was not included. The incomplete data on the distribution of Little Penguin Eudyptula minor nesting and/or moulting sites around Tasmania prevented their inclusion in the mapping. Information and guidelines for penguin colonies is available in Marker et al. (2024).

The maps identify the significance and sensitivity of foreshore coastal bird breeding habitat in Tasmania. The mapping can be used as a tool to assist managers and stakeholders in the identification of sensitive foreshore bird breeding habitat.

The data interpretation was a semi-quantitative evaluation based on the breeding species present, their conservation status under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 and Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and the numbers of breeding pairs.

The mapping classified the Tasmanian coastline as:

1. Red: high risk/vulnerability areas where human-related activities are likely to result in disturbance are to be avoided between 1 September to 31 March, inclusive. These foreshores are known to regularly support breeding pairs of one or more species of shorebirds or small terns. Coastal clean-up activities (e.g. marine debris or invasive plant removal) would disturb nesting shorebirds and terns. Approximately 42% of Tasmania’s foreshore was classified as high risk.
2. Orange: medium risk/vulnerability areas where human-related activities are likely to result in disturbance are to be minimised between 1 September to 31 March. No surveys have been undertaken in these areas, and it is likely that potential suitable habitat may exist. Approximately 54% of Tasmania’s foreshore was classified as medium risk.
3. Green: low risk/vulnerability to shorebirds and terns, therefore there are no current access constraints from 1 September to 31 March. There have been no shorebird or tern values present in recent surveys, or the foreshore are used infrequently for breeding. Coastal clean-up activities can be undertaken year-round without disturbing nesting shorebirds and terns. Approximately 4% of Tasmania’s foreshore was classified as low risk.

Ongoing analyses of the mapping and population data will contribute to the regular updating of the maps when sufficient new data are available.

This case study was prepared by Dr Eric J. Woehler, OAM.

Please cite as: Woehler, E.J., 2024: Mapping the Tasmanian coast to identify coastal bird breeding spots. Case study for CoastAdapt, National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, Griffith University, Gold Coast.

Chen L., 2019: Invasive Plants in Coastal Wetlands: Patterns and Mechanisms. In: An S, Verhoeven J (eds) Wetlands: Ecosystem Services, Restoration and Wise Use. Ecological Studies 238. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14861-4_5

Costa L.L., L. Fanini, M. Ben-Haddad, M. Pinna and I.R. Zalmon 2022: Marine litter impact on sandy beach fauna: A review to obtain an indication of where research should contribute more. Microplastics 1, 554-571. https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics1030039

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) 2016. Impact of sea level rise on coastal natural values in Tasmania. Natural and Cultural Heritage Division, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, Hobart, 144pp. https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1382804175/view

Gacutan J., E.L. Johnston, H. Tait, W. Smith and G.F. Clark, 2022: Continental patterns in marine debris revealed by a decade of citizen science. Science of The Total Environment 807, 150742. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121731

Giulio S., L. Cao Pinna, M. Carboni, F. Marzialetti, A.T.R. Acosta, E. Garbolino and T. Jucker, 2022: Invasion dynamics and potential future spread of sea spurge across Australia’s coastal dunes. Journal of Biogeography 49, 378-390. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.14308

Marker P.F., A.B. Wind and E.J. Woehler, 2024: Guidelines for works in, and management of, Little Penguin habitat. BirdLife Tasmania. 37pp. https://wildcaretas.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Marker-et-al-2024-Guidelines-Little-Penguins-27-May-2024.pdf

Mylius K.A., J.L. Lavers, E.J. Woehler, T. Rodemann, B.C. Keys and J. Rivers-Auty, 2023: Foraging strategy influences the quantity of ingested micro- and nanoplastics in shorebirds. Environmental Pollution 319, 120844. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120844