4.2 NATURAL ASSETS Coastal wetlands are known as the kidneys of the landscape, filtering and attenuating pollutants to keep the estuary water clean. They are like sponges, soaking up floodwater and releasing it slowly, mitigating the impact of floods on the estuary. Mangroves stabilise shorelines. Coastal wetlands store carbon, helping to mitigate increases of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Coastal wetlands are biodiversity hotspots, providing habitat for migratory shorebirds and nursery habitat for many fish, crustaceans and molluscs, including species of commercial and recreational value. Wetlands also provide opportunities for naturebased tourism and have Aboriginal cultural significance, historical significance and importance for science and education. While the majority of coastal wetlands in the Manning have been drained and modified, wetlands of considerable conservation significance still occur.11 These include: • Large areas of mangrove forest and brackish wetlands in areas such as Cattai Wetlands, Big Swamp and Coopernook Swamp • Large wetlands at Dawson wetlands, Kundle Kundle and Manning Point • Crowdy Lagoon in Crowdy Bay National Park which is classified as a high priority Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem (GDE)12 and is listed as a nationally important wetland • Forested wetlands with swamp mahogany, broadleaved paperbark and swamp oak13 • Estuarine and near-shore marine systems made up of coastal mangroves, salt marshes and sea-grass beds which rely on the submarine discharge of groundwater14 • Seagrass meadows. A study conducted in Stage 2 of the ECMP mapped 13 types of coastal wetlands in the Manning including broad-leafed paperbark swamps, freshwater wetlands, reedlands, saltmarsh and grey mangrove forest (Annexure F: The Manning River ECMP Coastal Wetlands Mapping Report, Ecological 2019). The study found that: • 69% of the remaining coastal wetlands are in good condition • 19% are in fair condition • 12% are in poor/very poor condition 11: EcoLogical Australia Pty Ltd, 2019 12: NSW Government - Office of Water, 2009 13: MidCoast Council, 2020
The majority (86%) of all wetland types mapped are identified and protected under State or Commonwealth legislation.
14: Geosciences Australia, undated
52
Manning River Estuary and Catchment Management Program (ECMP)
