Post-bushfire mangrove restoration in coastal NSW: Final report to OceanWatch

Intertidal vegetation, including mangroves, in the Camden Haven estuary, including channel, Queens Lake and Watson Taylor Lake has been impacted by the consecutive extreme events of drought, fire and multiple floods in the period between 2018 and 2022. Our initial assessment shows that:
• parts of the estuary are showing decline in mangrove health (including patches of mortality of mature mangroves) and extent most likely due to a combination of events including: severe drought, direct burning and indirect heat effects in the 2019 – 2020 bushfires, long-term and acute changes in hydrology which affect sedimentation patterns, and direct flood damage;
• natural regeneration is occurring in some areas (e.g. Washtub Bay), however, other areas (e.g. Dirty Corner) are likely to require active intervention preceded by hydrological and erosion management;
• there is significant community interest in mangrove health in the Camden Haven region that could be harnessed for both monitoring and ameliorative action;
• there is a need for further research to establish the causes of decline in health and best approaches for restoration for mangroves in this estuary; and,
• Charles Sturt University, Port Macquarie is keen to further develop a collaborative citizen scientist approach to monitoring and restoring intertidal vegetation in the Camden Haven estuary