Coastal areas and the Great Barrier Reef have a close relationship – what happens on land can have a big impact on the health of the Reef itself.

Coastal ecosystems literally link the land and the sea. Many of the species that form part of the World Heritage Area’s amazing biodiversity move between these complex and sensitive ecosystems – such as estuaries, freshwater wetlands, coastlines, and forested floodplains - to feed and breed throughout their life cycles

Coastal ecosystems also link vastly different environments such as marine, estuarine, freshwater and terrestrial areas.

In some cases, the development of coastal areas has led to a serious decline in the extent and condition of key coastal habitats.

The Informing the Outlook for Great Barrier Reef coastal ecosystems  report details the role of coastal ecosystems, their current extent and the pressures they face.

Vulnerability assessments have also been developed for at-risk coastal ecosystems to identify priority areas and ways to reduce threats.

Management of coastal ecosystems

The Queensland Government and local councils have the primary responsibility for land and water management practices adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Area.

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority works closely with agencies at all levels of government and key stakeholders to influence activities in a way that will support the long-term health and resilience of the Reef.

There are many actions taking place to protect areas identified as matters of national significance and high ecological significance and to help restore their function:

• Caring for our Country supports communities, farmers and other land managers with funding to protect Australia's natural environment and sustainability.
• The goal of the joint Australian and Queensland governments’ Reef Water Quality Protection Plan is to ensure that by 2020 the quality of water entering the Great Barrier Reef has no detrimental impact on its health and resilience.
• The Clean Energy Future initiative includes support for planning across a regional landscape.
  
• The Biodiversity Fund provides land managers with funds to expand native habitat on their property; to protect, manage and enhance native vegetation in high conservation areas, and to control invasive pests and weeds.
  
• The Queensland Wetlands program, established by the Australian and Queensland governments, aims to better protect and manage wetlands throughout the state.
• Fisheries Queensland is also developing inventories of in-stream structures which are affecting wetlands of international importance and declared fish habitat areas, with action plans to reduce barriers.
• Some coastal areas are protected within national parks, conservation parks and state forests.
• GBRMPA works with local governments through our Reef Guardian Councils to effectively manage Great Barrier Reef coastal ecosystems.