Sydney Harbour: A review of anthropogenic impacts on the biodiversity and ecosystem function of one of the world's largest natural harbours

Mayer-Pinto, M; Johnston, EL; Hutchings, PA; Marzinelli, EM; Ahyong, ST; Birch, G; Booth, DJ; Creese, RG; Doblin, MA; Figueira, W; Gribben, PE; Pritchard, T; Roughan, M; Steinberg, PD; Hedge, LH

Sydney Harbour: A review of anthropogenic impacts on the biodiversity and ecosystem function of one of the world's largest natural harbours

Mayer-Pinto, M Johnston, EL Hutchings, PA Marzinelli, EM Ahyong, ST Birch, G Booth, DJ

Creese, RG Doblin, MA

Figueira, W Gribben, PE Pritchard, T Roughan, M Steinberg, PD Hedge, LH

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Marine and Freshwater Research, 2015, 66 (12), pp. 1088 - 1105
Issue Date:: 2015-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Mayer-Pinto, M	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Johnston, EL	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Hutchings, PA	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Marzinelli, EM	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Ahyong, ST	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Birch, G	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Booth, DJ https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8256-1412	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Creese, RG	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Doblin, MA https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8750-3433	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Figueira, W	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Gribben, PE	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Pritchard, T	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Roughan, M	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Steinberg, PD	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Hedge, LH	en_US
dc.date.issued	2015-01-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Marine and Freshwater Research, 2015, 66 (12), pp. 1088 - 1105	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1323-1650	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/41691
dc.description.abstract	© 2015 CSIRO. Sydney Harbour is a hotspot for diversity. However, as with estuaries worldwide, its diversity and functioning faces increasing threats from urbanisation. This is the first synthesis of threats and impacts in Sydney Harbour. In total 200 studies were reviewed: 109 focussed on contamination, 58 on habitat modification, 11 addressed non-indigenous species (NIS) and eight investigated fisheries. Metal concentrations in sediments and seaweeds are among the highest recorded worldwide and organic contamination can also be high. Contamination is associated with increased abundances of opportunistic species, and changes in benthic community structure. The Harbour is also heavily invaded, but invaders' ecological and economic impacts are poorly quantified. Communities within Sydney Harbour are significantly affected by extensive physical modification, with artificial structures supporting more NIS and lower diversity than their natural equivalents. We know little about the effects of fishing on the Harbour's ecology, and although ocean warming along Sydney is among the fastest in the world, we know little about how the ecosystem will respond to warming. The interactive and cumulative effects of stressors on ecosystem functioning and services in the Harbour are largely unknown. Sustainable management of this iconic natural system requires that knowledge gaps are addressed and translated into coherent environmental plans.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Marine and Freshwater Research	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1071/MF15157	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Marine Biology & Hydrobiology	en_US
dc.title	Sydney Harbour: A review of anthropogenic impacts on the biodiversity and ecosystem function of one of the world's largest natural harbours	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	12	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	66	en_US
utslib.for	0602 Ecology	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Life Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - C3 - Climate Change Cluster
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	12	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	66	en_US

Abstract:

© 2015 CSIRO. Sydney Harbour is a hotspot for diversity. However, as with estuaries worldwide, its diversity and functioning faces increasing threats from urbanisation. This is the first synthesis of threats and impacts in Sydney Harbour. In total 200 studies were reviewed: 109 focussed on contamination, 58 on habitat modification, 11 addressed non-indigenous species (NIS) and eight investigated fisheries. Metal concentrations in sediments and seaweeds are among the highest recorded worldwide and organic contamination can also be high. Contamination is associated with increased abundances of opportunistic species, and changes in benthic community structure. The Harbour is also heavily invaded, but invaders' ecological and economic impacts are poorly quantified. Communities within Sydney Harbour are significantly affected by extensive physical modification, with artificial structures supporting more NIS and lower diversity than their natural equivalents. We know little about the effects of fishing on the Harbour's ecology, and although ocean warming along Sydney is among the fastest in the world, we know little about how the ecosystem will respond to warming. The interactive and cumulative effects of stressors on ecosystem functioning and services in the Harbour are largely unknown. Sustainable management of this iconic natural system requires that knowledge gaps are addressed and translated into coherent environmental plans.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/41691