Assignment 3

Assessment Item 3: Climate change and coastal ecosystems

Due date: End of Week 13
Length: 2,500 words
Value: 35% of final mark

Background

Consequences of climate change for tropical coastal and marine ecosystems include sea level rise and an increase in severe weather events. The impacts of climate change are very unpredictable in monsoon northern Australia (REF) and this along with anthropogenic disturbance has implications for the health and survival of coastal and marine flora and fauna. This assessment task focusses on Darwin Harbour and how it might be impacted by climate change and development. In 2021 the first integrated report card for Darwin Harbour was produced https://dhir.org.au to track the overall health of the Darwin Harbour region over time. Stakeholder consultation identified 12 values that are key to a healthy Darwin Harbour. In 2021 Darwin Harbour and its catchment received an overall grade of B−. This grade was comprised of information on eight values, each with variable results. Management of the environment was assessed as being very good. Clean water, and lifestyles and recreation each received a good rating. Moderate grades were given to healthy ecosystems and landscapes, Indigenous values, and jobs. Poor grades were assigned to sustainability and tourism – the latter attributed to impacts due to COVID-19. Insufficient information was available to confidently assign grades to biodiversity, Port of Darwin, multiculturalism, and resilience and climate change.

In preparation for the 2023 integrated report card, the project team will be working hard to fill these data gaps. There are two things that are needed to fill data gaps, discovery of data and active support by data owners. The project team will need to consult a broad group of stakeholders to fill these data gaps and communication will be critical to success. To capture the attention and buy-in of data holders, the team will need to clearly explain what biodiversity and resilience and climate change means for Darwin Harbour, and what types of data might serve as indicators for these values. Conceptual diagrams that capture these concepts represent very powerful methods for capturing people’s attention long enough to start discussions that could lead to discovery of indicators that were not visible in 2021.

Task

Your task is to review the resources provided below (and more broadly if needed) to present a conceptual diagram that captures one biodiversity or resilience and climate change scenario for Darwin Harbour.
Your diagram may be used (with your permission and attribution) in stakeholder workshop materials to engage participants and hopefully identify data that for the first time, enable a rating for biodiversity or resilience and climate change for Darwin Harbour!
Select a scenario for Darwin Harbour from the list below to be the subject of your conceptual diagram:

  1. Impact of climate change associated threats.
  2. Impact on biodiversity of land clearing/increasing nutrient inputs in the catchment.
  3. Impact on biodiversity of pollution from industrialisation.

To prepare a conceptual diagram you will need to:

  1. Become familiar with how conceptual diagrams are used to illustrate scenarios such as climate change or pollution impacts.
  2. Find and use the tools to make your own conceptual diagram. Access a diagram base for Darwin Harbour and symbols that you can put on that base to illustrate your points. The resource below accommodates a range of technical expertise from a simple powerpoint format through to a more technically demanding illustrator software. There is no penalty or advantage to using the technically demanding software but the choice is simply to accommodate students who have that expertise and might not want to use powerpoint.
  3. Select your scenario and prepare your diagram. Justify and explain the diagram in words with reference to the resources provided below, or any others you use, as long as all are cited and reputable (no blogs etc).

Preparation

1. How conceptual diagrams are used to illustrate change impacts

Visit the OzCoasts web site https://ozcoasts.org.au/conceptual-diagrams/ and review the information on conceptual models and estuarine types. This site provides examples and information on conceptual diagrams or models that illustrate the status of an ecosystem before and after climate change or impact.

2. How to make a conceptual diagram

Watch the video: Conceptual Diagrams: A tool for effective science communication courtesy Dr Nathan Miller – University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science – Integration and Application Network and Dr Simon Costanzo - Darwinian Consulting.

Go to the Integration Application Network (IAN) https://ian.umces.edu/media-library/symbols/#instructions and follow the online instructions. In the search field type key words that are relevant to your project (e.g. ‘estuary’ or ‘coastal ecosystem’) and press ‘Simple Search’. Choose a landscape image to serve as background for your diagram and download it to your computer. Alternatively you can download all the symbols including coastal bases and just scroll through them on your computer to find what you want. You can either use the online editor or simply make your diagram in powerpoint. Both .png and .svg files will work whether using illustrator software or powerpoint. You can either access the diagram base for Darwin Harbour or if you just want to focus on a certain section of the harbour there are other bases you can choose from. There lots of symbols to choose from including processes that you can put on your chosen base to illustrate your points. You can simply drag and drop symbols onto the base to develop your conceptual diagram. Export your conceptual models to a friendly image format (e.g. JPG, PDF, PNG) for inclusion in your report.

3.Select a scenario and use the resources to develop your idea and conceptual diagram

Select a scenario for Darwin Harbour from the list below to be the subject of your conceptual diagram:

  1. Impact of climate change associated threats.
  2. Impact on biodiversity of land clearing/increasing nutrient inputs.
  3. Impact on biodiversity of pollution associated with industrialisation.

4. What needs to be in your 2500 word report - plus conceptual diagram

Describe the current state of the ecosystem, covering important natural and anthropogenic features, and consider the potential consequences of your chosen scenario; whether these are likely to be beneficial or deleterious; ways of mitigating adverse impacts; data that might be used to measure these changes/impacts. Remember you are predicting what could happen based on the predictions – so a future scenario.
Review the readings that have been listed below. These are presented in categories so you can select those you will need to read depending on your chosen scenario. Collect information about Darwin Harbour’s current natural and anthropogenic features. Examine the examples of threat and stressor models on the OzCoasts web site (e.g. habitat removal/disturbance), then, using the IAN resource, build "before" and "after" conceptual diagrams for your selected scenario.
Justify your claims using references provided and cite them in the text with a reference list at the end. Refer to your conceptual diagram(s) in your report and provide a figure legend that explains the symbols.

There is no set format for the report but it must fulfill certain requirements:

1. It must contain a conceptual diagram that illustrates your points. For example you could use two diagrams - one illustrating the system before change and the other illustrating the system after change. Or you may choose one section of the harbour and have a mirror image – before and after.

2. The body of your report needs to reference the conceptual diagram, and the figure itself requires a descriptive legend to explain the meaning of the symbols.

3. The main text needs to address your chosen scenario and although you can decide how to lay out your argument, it should cover:

  1. Introduction to Darwin Harbour.
  2. Key threats generally.
  3. Explain your scenario and how it will affect/impact Darwin Harbour given what you know about the harbour.
  4. Justify why you think it will have these impacts.
  5. In discussing the changes you can mention both natural and anthropogenic features.
  6. As mentioned above, make reference to the conceptual diagram to illustrate your points.
  7. Depending on how you’ve decided to handle the ‘before – after’ effects of the impact, make sure you have explained this by reference to the diagram(s).

4. It may include any other tables, graphs or figures you think assist in addressing the task and the below assessment criteria.

5. The report should briefly evaluate the changes as beneficial or deleterious and consider options for mitigating adverse impacts.

6. Finally – to bring this report back to the Integrated Report Cards for Darwin Harbour project, identify the types of data that could be collected to monitor the impact/change you have identified.

5. Resource list

i) Resources for the Integrated Report Card for Darwin Harbour:

The following items can be found at https://dhir.ecoreportcard.org/publications/ or just select each heading:

  1. Darwin Harbour 2021 Integrated Report Card
  2. Stakeholder Workshop Summary Newsletter
  3. Towards Integrated Reporting For Darwin Harbour
  4. A vision for an Integrated Darwin Harbour Report Card
  5. Vimeo 1. 060520 About the project https://vimeo.com/415376222
  6. Vimeo 2. 131221 The completed project highlights data gaps https://vimeo.com/648865065
  7. CDU Newsroom media release 131021 https://www.cdu.edu.au/news/new-integrated-report-card-protect-darwin-harbour
  8. Darwin Harbour bases for the conceptual diagram:
    1. Darwin Harbour 3D - blank.ai
    2. Darwin Harbour 3D – blank.png
    3. Darwin Harbour 3D – blank.svg
    4. Darwin Harbour Surface – blank.ai
    5. Darwin Harbour Surface – blank.png
    6. Darwin Harbour Surface – blank.svg

Watch the video: Towards Integrated Reporting for Darwin Harbour courtesy Dr Simon Costanzo - Darwinian Consulting.

ii) Resources for Darwin Harbour:

  1. 1994 Nott Darwin Landscape.pdf https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08120099408728151
  2. 2003 Nott Darwin geology QI https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S104061820200143X
  3. 2006 Williams et al Darwin Harbour Hydrodynamics https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eric-Wolanski/publication/227064588_Hydrodynamics_of_Darwin_Harbour/ links/53f2c0ab0cf2bc0c40ecb493/Hydrodynamics-of-Darwin-Harbour.pdf
  4. 2015 Tonyes Procedia Engineering.pdf https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877705815033494
  5. 2019 Andutta Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science.pdf https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272771418309892
  6. 2019 Munksgaard Regional Studies in Marine Science.pdf https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352485518302081

iii) Resources for Darwin Harbour-Impact of Climate Change associated threats:

  1. 2019 Munksgaard Regional Studies in Marine Science.pdf https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352485518302081
  2. 2016 Heenkenda & Bartolo Human and Ecological risk assessment https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10807039.2015.1078225
  3. 2015 Moise et al Monsoonal-North-regional-climate-change-projections-report.pdf https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/media/ccia/2.2/cms_page_media/ 168/MONSOONAL_NORTH_CLUSTER_REPORT_1.pdf
  4. 2013 Webb et al Nat. Clim. Chang.pdf https://www.nature.com/articles/nclimate1756
  5. 2017 Duke et al Marine & Freshwater Res.pdf https://www.publish.csiro.au/MF/MF16322
  6. 2017 Rogers et al Hydrobiologia.pdf https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10750-017-3257-5
  7. 2018 Harris et al 2018 Nat. Clim. Chang.pdf https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-018-0187-9
  8. 2018 Frölicher Nature Comms.pdf https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-03163-6
  9. 2015 Crase Global Change Biol.pdf https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/gcb.12930
  10.  CoastAdapt, 2018. Sea-Level Rise and Future Climate Information for Coastal Councils. National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility https://coastadapt.com.au/sea-level-rise-information-all-australian-coastal-councils#NT_DARWIN

iv) Resources for Darwin Harbour-Impact on biodiversity of land clearing/increasing nutrient inputs:

  1. 2019 Munksgaard Regional Studies in Marine Science.pdf https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352485518302081
  2. 2020 Fortune et al Regional Studies in Marine Science.pdf https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352485519304876
  3. 2011 Smith Biogeochemistry.pdf https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10533-011-9605-z
  4. 2012 Burford Marine Pollution Bulletin.pdf https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X12004985
  5. 2012 Greiner et al MBIs WQ Darwin-Harbour FINAL-REPORT.pdf https://depws.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/254852/Greiner-etal_2012_MBIs-WQ-Darwin-Harbour_FINAL-REPORT.pdf
  6. 2014 Neave Microbiologyopen.pdf https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/mbo3.209
  7. 2015 French The Science of the Total Environment.pdf https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969715304575
  8. 2017 Padovan Environ Monit Assess.pdf https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10661-017-5842-5
  9. 2020 Birch et al.  World Harbours sediments.pdf https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X20302472
  10. 2016 Heenkenda & Bartolo Human and Ecological risk assessment https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10807039.2015.1078225
  11. 2020 Smyth Darwin Harbour Health Check https://assets.nationbuilder.com/keepterritoryseasminingfree/pages/1460/attachments /original/1595913029/Darwin_Harbour_Report.pdf?1595913029

v) Darwin Harbour-Impact on biodiversity of pollution from industrialisation:

  1. 2019 Munksgaard Regional Studies in Marine Science.pdf https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352485518302081
  2. 2020 Birch et al.  World Harbours sediments.pdf https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X20302472
  3. 2015 French The Science of the Total Environment.pdf https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969715304575
  4. 2016 Heenkenda & Bartolo Human and Ecological risk assessment https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10807039.2015.1078225
  5. *2020 Smyth Darwin Harbour Health Check https://assets.nationbuilder.com/keepterritoryseasminingfree/pages/1460/attachments /original/1595913029/Darwin_Harbour_Report.pdf?1595913029
  6. *2020 TNG WW Treatment Plant.pdf https://www.tngltd.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/61011542.pdf
  7. *2020 Finnis Core lithium project pb33 underground mine referral supporting documentation.pdf https://ntepa.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/905534/finnis-lithium-project-pb33-underground-mine-referral-supporting-documentation.pdf
  8. 2021 ECNT - TNG - NTEPA request for further information - media release.pdf https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/ecnt/pages/513/attachments/original/ 1622417235/ECNT_-_TNG_-_NTEPA_request_for_further_information_-_media_release.pdf?1622417235
  9. 2012 Greiner et al MBIs WQ Darwin-Harbour FINAL-REPORT.pdf https://depws.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/254852/Greiner-etal_2012_MBIs-WQ-Darwin-Harbour_FINAL-REPORT.pdf

*Extra information below:

2021 Industrialisation of Darwin Harbour https://www.topendcoasts.org.au/industrialisation_of_darwin_harbour
2020 Darwin Harbour Health Check
https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/keepterritoryseasminingfree/pages/1460/attachments /original/1595913029/Darwin_Harbour_Report.pdf?1595913029
2021 TNG Limited Darwin Processing Facility at Middle Arm, Darwin Harbour
https://ntepa.nt.gov.au/your-business/public-registers/environmental-impact-assessments-register/assessments-in-progress-register/darwin-processing-facility
2021 Mining company TNG scraps Darwin Harbour discharge plan after Paspaley pressure https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-07/tng-harbour-wastewater-plans-abandoned/100046706
2021 ECNT – TNG – NTEPA request for further information – media release.pdf https://www.ecnt.org.au/_darwin_harbour_is_sacred
2018 Finnis lithium project pb33 underground mine https://corelithium.com.au/finniss-lithium-project

Assessment Criteria (35%)

The following criteria will be used to assess this assignment:

The following criteria will be used to assess this assignment:

  • Detail and description of the ‘before’ and ‘after’ diagrams
    • Does the ‘before’ conceptual diagram include all the relevant natural and anthropogenic features? 4 marks
    • Does the ‘after’ conceptual diagram include all potential changes to specific natural and anthropogenic features? 4 marks
    • Are the icons and keys appropriate – do they clearly explain the narrative? 3 marks
    • Does the diagram legend provide enough description so that the diagrams stands alone, but does not interpret? 2 marks
  • Text detail
    • Does the text adequately set the scene and explain why the chosen impacts or changes are likely to occur? 3 marks
    • Does the text discuss why these changes are important? 3 marks
    • Does the text clearly describe why the diagram features chosen are important elements of the system  - ie do they adequately tell the story? 3 marks
    • Does the text mention all the natural and anthropogenic features included in the diagram? 3 marks
  • Evaluation of changes and consideration of mitigation options
    • Does the text discuss changes which might be considered beneficial or deleterious and why? 4 marks
    • Does the text consider options for mitigating, or adapting to, deleterious changes? 2 marks
  • Data for the Integrated Report Cards for Darwin Harbour project
    • Does the text identify data or make recommendations that could be collected to monitor the changes or impacts identified in the report? 4 marks

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