The Daintree's Hidden Coastline
The exotic Daintree River with its unique combination of World Heritage rainforests and Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef (GBR), is a haven for rich mangrove forests and crystal clear waters. This hidden coastline of mangroves, wetlands and wildlife is of significant importance and is facing unprecidented pressure.
Mangroves play a vital role in protecting coral reefs by buffering shorelines from storms and floods and filtering runoff – earning them the title of the ‘kidneys of the coast’. They also absorb a vast amount of greenhouse gases, up to five times land based tropical forests, a process that is often referred to as 'blue carbon'. Faced with the pressures of land clearing, pesticides and climate change, mangroves are among the most threatened habitats in the world, with 35 per cent already gone.
Together with James Cook University, Earthwatch is facilitating a scientific assessment of mangrove forests and their condition in the Daintree River estuary. The study will address key issues outlined above using innovative, best-practice methodologies, including:
1) blue carbon budgeting of the forest development processes of mangroves and
2) assessment of shoreline condition and tidal habitats along the estuary.
The volunteer experience
Exploring the tropical Daintree river by boat and on foot you will help assess the condition of the fringing mangrove habitats by conducting surveys, filming the shoreline, measuring habitats and conducting field biomass assessments.
The Daintree research areas are located at three distinct sections of the river estuary – upstream (freshwater-dominated), downstream (seawater-dominated) and transitional. You and your team will compare differences between these locations and use observations to explain what is happening and what we might expect with a changing climate.
The Kuku Yalanji are the traditional inhabitants of the land on which the project is located, stretching from Cooktown in the north to near Chillagoe in the west and Port Douglas in the south. You will meet with the Kuku Yalanji people at Mossman Gorge and learn about indigenous cultural heritage, the dreamtime narrative of the rainforest and the people’s special relationship with the environment. The Kuku Yalandji people will describe traditional uses of rainforest plants, identify bush tucker sources, share their legends and explain the history and significance of cave paintings.
Location
The project will be located along the coastline and estuarine margins of the Daintree River, north of Cairns, in north Queensland, Australia. Participants will stay at one location and commute to the field sites by four-wheel-drive. Accommodation will be basic but comfortable.
How your support will help
By joining this research project you will be helping to gather invaluable information on the health of one of Australia’s iconic estuarine systems, which will be used to develop a national strategy for more effective management of valuable coastal tidal wetlands faced with climate change and local human pressures.
Team dates
First team to run in June 2012
Register your interest
Be the first to know when this project is released, by registering your interest .