Ecosystem Health Report Card

What is an Ecosystem Health Report Card?

The harbour was divided into nine zones which included a full cross section of inner harbour regions of high activity, as well as reference (background) zones of lesser impact in the outer harbour and oceanic areas. Measurements were taken at up to 175 sites in the water quality program and 62 sites in the Intertidal program, with results being collated to give an overall rating

Ecosystem health (EH) is the ability of an environment/ecosystem to cope with stress from both human and non-human impacts. Data for each indicator is measured against appropriate Australian Water (or sediment) Quality Guidelines or background reference zone data, and a standardised score from 0 to 1 produced.  The closer the result is to a score of 1, the healthier the ecosystem. The indicators are grouped into performance categories (such as water chemistry, DGT metals, sediment metals etc.) and these are averaged to develop a final health rating grade from A+ to F for that zone. A rating below a D+ would be highlighted for action, while attaining a rating close to reference zone ratings (A+) indicates a relatively unimpacted ecosystem.