Coasts, Estuaries and the Sea

Marine Biodiversity

Victorian marine biodiversity is unique in the world and includes subtidal rocky reef communities, intertidal rocky reef communities, seagrass communities, soft sediment communities and deep reef communities. Supported by these diverse environments is a vast assemblage of marine species. The diverse array of marine environments supports a vast assemblage of marine species. For example deep reef communities themselves are considered one of the most genetically diverse ecosystems on the planet. Apart from this, in most cases, marine biodiversity is not comprehensively monitored, making it difficult to evaluate its condition.

What is known is that there are a number of threats to marine biodiversity. These include over-fishing, the incursion of marine pest plants and animals, and pollution. Compounding these pressures is the added impact of a rapidly changing climate, which is expected to have particularly serious implications for marine biodiversity in Victorian waters.

This section describes the diverse nature of marine environments, and explores some of the pressures that threaten Victoria’s marine species. In addition it explores the likely implications for Victoria’s economy of a reduction in marine biodiversity due to these pressures. Finally, recommendations are made for mitigating these pressures and building the resilience of marine biodiversity to climate change.

Part 4.4.3 - Marine Biodiversity (PDF - 436 KB)