Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2019L00153:body:0:p12
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2019L00153
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 32193–35346

local ecological communities and native vegetation to people
As Littoral Rainforest occurs at the transition zone between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, it provides numerous vital ecosystem services that benefit humans and the coastal communities they inhabit (Lavorel et al. 2015). Littoral Rainforest protects the land from coastal erosion, mitigates the effects of flooding and wind damage caused by heavy storms, filters sediments, nutrients and pollutants and provides habitat for biodiversity (Lavorel et al. 2015). Coastal communities and their associated infrastructure and industries, including roads, marinas, agricultural areas (e.g. fruit, nut and sugar cane farms) and aquaculture operations, are all provided a degree of protection by the foreshore vegetation and natural dunes associated with Littoral Rainforest (Lavorel et al. 2015).
In addition, Littoral Rainforest provides an important recreational space for activities such as camping, walking and picnicking (Lavorel et al. 2015), which may provide psychological benefits to local communities and other users (Fuller 2007). Many of the ecosystem services provided by Littoral Rainforest also confer 'climate adaptation services', defined as benefits to humans that may be derived from the "capability of ecosystems to moderate and adapt to climate change and variability" (Lavorel et al. 2015).

   2     Threats

2.1      Significant impacts from anthropogenic actions
An action is likely to have a significant impact on a Critically Endangered or Endangered ecological community if there is a real chance or possibility that it will:
      * reduce the extent of an ecological community overall and/or for a particular patch; refer to the Listing Advice and/or Policy Statement 3.9 for patch definitions, minimum size and condition thresholds, and other considerations;

      * fragment or increase fragmentation of an ecological community, for example by clearing vegetation;

      * adversely affect habitat critical to the survival of an ecological community;

      * modify or destroy abiotic (non-living) factors (such as water, nutrients, or soil) necessary for an ecological community's survival, including reduction of groundwater levels, or substantial alteration of surface water drainage patterns;

      * cause a substantial change in the species composition of a patch of an ecological community, including causing a decline or loss of functionally important species, for example through regular burning or flora or fauna harvesting;

      * cause a substantial reduction in quality or integrity of a patch of an ecological community, including, but not limited to: assisting invasive species to become established (refer to Listing Advice and/or Policy Statement 3.9 for condition thresholds);

      * cause mobilisation of fertilisers, herbicides or other chemicals or pollutants into the ecological community which kill or inhibit the growth of species in the ecological community; or

      * interfere with the recovery of an ecological community.
If there is scientific uncertainty about the impacts of an action and potential impacts are serious or