Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002:front:0:p79
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 226518–229510

impact increased temperatures may have on some plant and animal species, particularly endemic species or species with a restricted range. Warmer temperatures and increased CO2 levels may have both a positive and a negative influence on invasive species, so new species may become priorities for management.
With increased temperatures but no predicted increase in rainfall amounts, shallower wetlands may be at risk of drying earlier, or drying completely, which could have significant implications for species dependent on wetlands. Reducing the impact of invasive species on these areas will be increasingly important.

Saltwater intrusion has already been observed impacting on low-lying coastal plains in the park. This is likely to continue and to displace saltwater-sensitive species, such as Melaleuca, with encroaching mangroves and saline mudflats. These changes will impact on wildlife and traditional food resources found in freshwater wetlands such as magpie geese and freshwater turtles. Access to traditional hunting areas and sacred sites may also be affected by sea-level rises. Increased intensity of extreme weather events as a result of climate change is likely to have a range of impacts including increased incidents of heat-related illness, expansion of mosquito-borne viruses and exacerbation of damage to rock art sites.

The impact of climate change can be lessened by ensuring that all existing threats to the park's integrity are appropriately managed. Management of fire, weeds and pest species may need to be reviewed regularly under changing climatic conditions to assess and address resilience of species or habitats. Climate change may offer some economic benefits to Indigenous communities through participation in carbon trading programmes and employment opportunities in monitoring the impacts of climate change and undertaking remedial and mitigation activities. The park is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and is implementing a range of measures to do this (see Section 9.6: Resource use in park operations).

To assist the park to understand and adapt to changing climatic conditions, a climate change symposium was held in Kakadu in 2008, a climate change strategy was prepared in 2010 and a vulnerability assessment of the South Alligator River catchment was completed in 2011.

NERP researchers working in the park at the time of preparing this plan are developing fine-scale computer models that will assist in identifying priority areas where it might be possible to mitigate impacts of saltwater intrusion.

Management issues

    * Cumulative impact of threats
  Climate change is likely to increase or compound the effects of existing biodiversity threats, such as fire and invasive species, and may affect many other aspects of the park such as visitor use and safety.

    * Knowledge gaps
  Updated and expert information is needed to assess the potential impacts and risks of climate change, and feasible adaptation and mitigation