Coastal areas play an important role in the broader ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef and the marine life that it supports.

Coastal ecosystems such as estuaries, wetlands, mangroves and sand dunes provide important links between land, freshwater and marine environments, as well as feeding and breeding grounds for marine species.

However development in coastal areas has resulted in a serious decline in the extent and condition of key coastal habitats in some areas. This may increase into the future with the current projected growth in population and economic activity in north Queensland.

Climate Change is also a future key pressure on coastal habitats. Changes in rainfall, storm frequency and increased storm severity, rising temperatures, increased sea levels, ocean acidification and other predictions associated with climate change represent very significant addition pressures on coastal habitats.

Understanding the current state and health of coastal habitats, its vulnerability and community implications is critical in the future protection and management of coastal areas and the Great Barrier Reef.