2010
Prepared for Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
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About the document
An Ecological Character Description describes the ecological character of a wetland at the time of its listing as a Wetland of International Importance. The Ecological Character Description is a fundamental management tool for site managers, forming the basis of management planning and action as well as including guidance on site monitoring requirements to detect changes in the ecological character of the site.
The Shoalwater and Corio Bays Area (Shoalwater Bay Training Area, in part - Corio Bay) Ramsar site is located about 50 km north of Rockhampton, Queensland. The majority of the site is set around Shoalwater Bay in the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area (SWBTA) and includes adjacent lands and marine waters from Broome Head in the north to the southern boundary of the SWBTA. The other component of the site includes the intertidal areas of Corio Bay in the south.
The document also describes the current Ramsar listing criteria met by the site, the key threats and the knowledge gaps for Shoalwater and Corio Bays area. Recommended monitoring needs and communication messages are also provided.
Further information on what Ecological Character Descriptions are and how critical components, processes and services are identified is available in the National Framework and Guidance for Describing the Ecological Character of Australian Ramsar Wetlands – Module 2 of the National Guidelines for Ramsar Wetlands – Implementing the Ramsar Convention in Australia.