A report published for the Federal Government has warned that Kakadu - one of Australia’s World Heritage Listed sites - is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

 

The report, prepared for the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, projects that higher sea levels will increase saltwater intrusion in freshwater habitats, threatening the abundance of freshwater species in Kakadu.

 

The report  modeled the impacts of sea level rise on Kakadu’s South Alligator River system for 2030 and 2070. It found there would be a series of environmental, cultural and economic impacts including:

  • Higher sea levels and storm tide levels which will increase saltwater intrusion into freshwater habitats
  • A reduction in the extent of freshwater vegetation, monsoon rainforest and woodlands
  • A decline in the abundance of key species such as freshwater crocodiles, magpie geese and pig-nosed turtles in freshwater habitats
  • A decline in the abundance of mud crabs, yellow chats and threadfin salmon in estuarine habitats
  • A reduction in species of cultural significance including bush tucker
  • Less access to sites of cultural significance and increased damage to tourism sites.

The report, Kakadu: vulnerability to climate change impacts, is available here.