Management Concern: Low    

Adequacy of Information: Low

Summary extracts from Outlook Report 2009

• The salinity of Great Barrier Reef waters is generally stable, with local short-term fluctuations after flood events, mostly close to the coast.
• Rainfall is highly variable both within and between years along the Great Barrier Reef. Whilst there is no consensus amongst scientists in regard to projections of changes in average rainfall, it is likely that there will be increased intensity in both high rainfall events and droughts. A decline in annual rainfall and higher evaporation would likely reduce runoff to rivers, including the Fitzroy and Burdekin Rivers.

What do we know?

Relevant pages from Outlook Online include:

• Salinity in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
• Freshwater discharge to the Great Barrier Reef
• Composition and distribution of flood plumes in the Great Barrier Reef 
• Likely reductions in rainfall and higher evaporation leading to reduced runoff 

Existing policies and management actions

• Australian Government policy on climate change 
• Queensland Government climate change policies and strategies 
• Climate Change Action Plan 2007-2012

Future management requirements

• Future management requirements in this area are being guided by ongoing assessment of emerging research outcomes and issues identified by the Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2009.

Defined research questions

• What will be the effects of predicted higher rainfall intensity on freshwater inflow and therefore on the tropical marine ecosystem?

Related information

• Current Research and Monitoring