Erosion

Erosion & sediment

 

Threat caused by erosion and loss of soil and sedimentErosion

Erosion is a gradual process of deterioration where soil and rock wear away and is moved by natural forces like water and wind.

While erosion is a natural process, some land uses and poor catchment management practices can accelerate this process and throw landscapes and ecosystems out of balance.

All soils can suffer erosion, but some are more vulnerable than others.

The impacts of erosion are widespread and affect:

  • Agriculture: Soil erosion removes the most productive soil layer which our food and fibres are grown in. Loss of this top soil results in a decrease in productivity of farmlands and higher production costs. It also affects the ability of the soil to store water and nutrients, increasing runoff and impacting crops growth and survival. When the top layer is gone, erosion can cause the formation of gullies that then make cultivation impossible.
  • Waterways (freshwater and marine): The eroded soil particles enter the waterways polluting them and causing damage to habitat and declines in fish and other wildlife. An increase in sediment can also cause changes in hydrology (the way the water flows). The shape of river channels and estuaries change over time which can result in changes in the water flow speed and might decrease flood mitigation and resilience and cause the disappearance of refuge habitat.
  • Coastal habitat: Shoreline erosion from sea level rise, storm surges and flooding, made worse by human activity, is shrinking coastal habitat including beaches, dunes and sand cliffs.
  • Infrastructure: In South East Queensland, many of our soils are rich in sodium. This makes them more vulnerable to erosion, which can affect the construction of infrastructure, including dams, roads and tracks, urban developments, mining, and other activities.

 

Sediment

Sediment is made up of particles of soil, rock and other materials that have been worn away and transported by erosion. When sediment enters our waterways, it causes a range of environmental, social and economic impacts:

  • Sediment can smother aquatic ecosystems, causing damage to habitat and declines in fish and other wildlife. Particles can block fish gills and cover their eggs. Suspended sediment reduces sunlight penetration, impacting the growth and survival of aquatic plants.
  • Sediment carries other harmful pollutants with it, including nutrients, pesticides, heavy metals and synthetic ‘forever chemicals’, which can create toxic conditions for humans and aquatic life.
  • Sediment can fill riverine pools, reducing critical refuge habitat for freshwater fish.
  • Large accumulations of sediment can cause upstream flooding or divert flows into adjacent streambanks or land, causing further erosion.
  • It can bring with it a range of different nutrients, which when introduced into the water ecosystem can alter the state of waterbody which can lead to the potential loss of water wildlife and species.
  • The silt particles cause siltation of drinking water storages and watercourses, which needs to be filtered out. This increases the cost and energy of water treatment.
  • Sediment can make flooding worse by clogging stormwater drains and pipes.
  • Sediment causes creeks and rivers to become muddy, reducing visual amenity and opportunities for recreation.

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Erosion
Pollution
Drought
Land use
Threatened species
Climate change
Flood
Vegetation loss
Invasive species
Population growth
Fire
Recreation

Healthy Land & Water projects

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Brisbane Catchments Network Online Mapping Tool

Community, Create connections between people, place & culture, Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal, Land, Nature

Bushfire recovery project

Biodiversity Conservation, Deliver transformative environmental & community change, Fire, Goal 15: Life on Land, Land, Nature, Threat - Fire

Coochiemudlo Island Wetland Weed Control project

Biodiversity Conservation, Coastal & marine, Community, Land, Nature, Threat - Invasive species, Threat - Vegetation loss

Coombabah Lakelands Restoration project

Community, Deliver transformative environmental & community change, Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal, Nature

Drought Resilience program

Climate Adaptation, Community, Land, Landscapes, Threat - Climate, Threat - Land use

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Biodiversity Conservation, Goal 14: Life Below Water, Land, Land Restoration, Nature, Threat - Threatened species, Water

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Create connections between people, place & culture, Deliver transformative environmental & community change, First Nations, Nature

Hays Inlet Weed Control Project

Biodiversity Conservation, Land, Nature, Threat - Invasive species

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Biodiversity Conservation, Goal 15: Life on Land, Land, Landscapes, Nature, Threat - Fire, Threat - Threatened species, Threat - Vegetation loss

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Goal 14: Life Below Water, Nature

Mid Brisbane Partnerships Program

Community, Direct the investment in SEQ’s environmental future, Environmental Offsets, Goal 06: Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal, Land, Land Restoration, Threat - Erosion, Threat - Sediment, Water

Moreton Bay Debris Removal program

Biodiversity Conservation, Coastal & marine, Community, First Nations, Goal 06: Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Land, Landscapes, Threat - Pollution, Water

Moreton Bay Ramsar Wetland project

Biodiversity Conservation, Coastal & marine, Community, Create connections between people, place & culture, Deliver transformative environmental & community change, Direct the investment in SEQ’s environmental future, Fire, First Nations, Goal 06: Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 14: Life Below Water, Goal 15: Life on Land, Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal, Land, Land Restoration, Landscapes, Nature, Threat - Erosion, Threat - Fire, Threat - Invasive species, Threat - Pollution, Threat - Sediment, Threat - Threatened species, Threat - Vegetation loss, Water

Moreton Bay Shorebirds project

Biodiversity Conservation, Coastal & marine, Community, First Nations, Goal 15: Life on Land, Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal, Land, Land Restoration, Nature, Threat - Erosion, Threat - Invasive species, Threat - Threatened species, Threat - Vegetation loss

Pig Control on Quandamooka Country

Biodiversity Conservation, Coastal & marine, First Nations, Nature, Threat - Invasive species

Pumicestone erosion control

Biodiversity Conservation, Community, Environmental Offsets, Goal 15: Life on Land, Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal, Land, Land Restoration, Landscapes, Nature, Threat - Erosion, Water

Ransome Road Reserve Restoration

Coastal & marine, Community

Erosion and sediment control and urban stormwater

Deliver transformative environmental & community change, Goal 14: Life Below Water, Goal 15: Life on Land, Land, Water, Water by Design

Clean Up Program

Community, Water

Davidson Street creek restoration

Community, Deliver transformative environmental & community change, Nature, Urban design

Three Mile Scrub

Community, Create connections between people, place & culture, Deliver transformative environmental & community change, Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal, Nature

Water by Design

Coastal & marine, Community, Urban design, Water

Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program EHMP

Coastal & marine, Community, Water

Pumicestone shellfish habitat restoration

Biodiversity Conservation, Coastal & marine, Community, Goal 14: Life Below Water, Land, Nature, Threat - Threatened species, Water

Healthy Waterplay

Community, Deliver transformative environmental & community change, Goal 14: Life Below Water, Water

T.S. Onslow shoreline management

Coastal & marine, Community, Nature

Riparian Weed Control Program

Biodiversity Conservation, Land, Nature, Threat - Erosion, Threat - Sediment, Water

Healthy Catchments Program

Community, Create connections between people, place & culture, Deliver transformative environmental & community change, Environmental Offsets, Goal 06: Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Goal 14: Life Below Water, Land, Land Restoration, Threat - Erosion, Threat - Sediment, Water

Nathan Road Wetlands Restoration Project

Biodiversity Conservation, Coastal & marine, Community, First Nations, Goal 14: Life Below Water, Goal 15: Life on Land, Land Restoration, Landscapes, Nature, Threat - Fire, Threat - Invasive species, Threat - Threatened species, Water

Riverine Flood Recovery Reconnaissance Project

Community, Goal 15: Life on Land, Land, Land Restoration, Landscapes, Nature, Threat - Climate, Water

Station Road Wetlands Restoration Project

Biodiversity Conservation, Coastal & marine, Community, First Nations, Goal 15: Life on Land, Land, Land Restoration, Nature, Threat - Fire, Threat - Invasive species, Threat - Threatened species, Water

Egret Colony Victoria Point Wetlands Restoration Project

Biodiversity Conservation, Coastal & marine, Community, Fire, First Nations, Goal 15: Life on Land, Land, Land Restoration, Nature, Threat - Fire, Threat - Invasive species, Threat - Threatened species, Water

Regional Landcare Partnerships Environment

Biodiversity Conservation, Direct the investment in SEQ’s environmental future, Fire, Goal 06: Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 14: Life Below Water, Goal 15: Life on Land, Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal, Land, Land Restoration, Landscapes, Nature, Threat - Erosion, Threat - Fire, Threat - Invasive species, Threat - Pollution, Threat - Sediment, Threat - Threatened species, Threat - Vegetation loss, Water

Regional Landcare Partnerships Core

Biodiversity Conservation, Community, Create connections between people, place & culture, Deliver transformative environmental & community change, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Goal 15: Life on Land, Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal, Land, Land Restoration, Landscapes, Nature, Threat - Invasive species, Threat - Land use, Threat - Vegetation loss

Deception Bay Wetlands Restoration

Coastal & marine, Landscapes

Regional Landcare Partnerships RALF

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Water Quality Guidelines for Moreton Bay

Biodiversity Conservation, Climate Adaptation, Coastal & marine, Community, Create connections between people, place & culture, Goal 06: Clean Water and Sanitation, Knowledge research, Nature, Water

Regional Land Partnerships Agriculture

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, Landscapes, Nature

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Turning the brown snake blue – Brisbane River Erosion Source Master Plan

Goal 06: Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 14: Life Below Water, Landscapes, Nature, Threat - Sediment, Water

Mareeba Fire Management Workshops

Biodiversity Conservation, Climate Adaptation, Community, Deliver transformative environmental & community change, Fire, First Nations, Goal 15: Life on Land, Land, Landscapes, Queensland Fire & Biodiversity Consortium, Threat - Fire, Threat - Land use, Threat - Threatened species

Estuarine Marine and Freshwater Health Monitoring Project

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Community, Fire, First Nations, Goal 15: Life on Land, Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal, Knowledge research, Land, Nature, Threat - Fire

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Coastal & marine, Deliver transformative environmental & community change, Direct the investment in SEQ’s environmental future, Environmental Offsets, Goal 06: Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 09: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Goal 15: Life on Land, Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal, Land, Land Restoration, Nature, Strategic Science & Partnerships, Threat - Erosion, Threat - Sediment, Threat - Threatened species, Threat - Vegetation loss, Water

Koalas and bushfire workshops

Community, Fire, First Nations, Land, Nature, Queensland Fire & Biodiversity Consortium, Threat - Fire, Threat - Threatened species

Fuel Hazard Assessment Training

Community, Fire, Goal 15: Life on Land, Land, Nature, Queensland Fire & Biodiversity Consortium, Threat - Fire, Threat - Threatened species, Threat - Vegetation loss

Fire Planning and Preparedness Panel - Fitzroy

Community, Fire, Goal 15: Life on Land, Land, Nature, Queensland Fire & Biodiversity Consortium, Science Committee, Strategic Science & Partnerships

Bushfire Planning Workshops - Gladstone

Community, Fire, First Nations, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Land, Nature, Queensland Fire & Biodiversity Consortium, Threat - Fire, Threat - Land use, Threat - Threatened species, Threat - Vegetation loss

What's Your Nature?

Climate Adaptation, Community, Direct the investment in SEQ’s environmental future, Goal 06: Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 14: Life Below Water, Goal 15: Life on Land, Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal, Nature, Threat - Sediment, Water, Water by Design

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Community, Environmental Offsets, Goal 06: Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 14: Life Below Water, Goal 15: Life on Land, Land, Land Restoration, Threat - Erosion, Threat - Sediment, Water

Fishers for fish habitat in Maroochy & Northern Moreton Bay

Biodiversity Conservation, Goal 14: Life Below Water, Land, Land Restoration, Nature, Threat - Threatened species, Water

Mid Brisbane Partnership - New phase

Direct the investment in SEQ’s environmental future, Environmental Offsets, Goal 06: Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal, Land, Land Restoration, Threat - Erosion, Threat - Sediment, Water

Flood Recovery for Wildlife and Habitat

Biodiversity Conservation, Community, Direct the investment in SEQ’s environmental future, Goal 15: Life on Land, Land, Landscapes, Nature, Threat - Climate, Threat - Threatened species

Dogs Off-leash Project

Biodiversity Conservation, Coastal & marine, Community, Deliver transformative environmental & community change, First Nations, Goal 15: Life on Land, Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal, Nature, Threat - Threatened species

Restoring Lockyer's wildlife habitat post-fires

Biodiversity Conservation, Community, Direct the investment in SEQ’s environmental future, Fire, Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal, Land, Land Restoration, Nature, Threat - Fire, Threat - Invasive species, Threat - Threatened species, Threat - Vegetation loss

Fox and Cat Control Project

Biodiversity Conservation, Coastal & marine, Community, Deliver transformative environmental & community change, First Nations, Goal 15: Life on Land, Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal, Nature, Threat - Threatened species

Integrated Cultural Fire Management on Bribie Island

Biodiversity Conservation, Coastal & marine, Community, Fire, First Nations, Goal 15: Life on Land, Landscapes, Strategic Science & Partnerships, Threat - Fire

Boat Strike Control Project

Biodiversity Conservation, Community, First Nations, Goal 14: Life Below Water, Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal, Nature, Threat - Threatened species, Threat - Waterway recreation, Water

Phase two Bushfire Recovery Project: Fire Management - Phase 2

Community, Fire, First Nations, Goal 15: Life on Land, Land, Nature, Queensland Fire & Biodiversity Consortium, Threat - Fire, Threat - Threatened species, Threat - Vegetation loss

Grey-headed Flying Fox - Bushfire Rehabilitation

Biodiversity Conservation, Community, Fire, Goal 15: Life on Land, Land, Nature, Threat - Fire, Threat - Threatened species

Eastern Bristlebirds - Bushfire Rehabilitation

Biodiversity Conservation, Community, Fire, Goal 15: Life on Land, Nature, Threat - Fire, Threat - Threatened species

BHP Protecting Koalas Project

Biodiversity Conservation, Community, Deliver transformative environmental & community change, Direct the investment in SEQ’s environmental future, Goal 15: Life on Land, Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal, Land, Land Restoration, Landscapes, Nature, Threat - Threatened species, Threat - Vegetation loss

Aura Community Program

Biodiversity Conservation, Community, Create connections between people, place & culture, Deliver transformative environmental & community change, Direct the investment in SEQ’s environmental future, First Nations, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Goal 15: Life on Land, Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal, Land, Nature, Water

North Pine River Water Source Protection

Direct the investment in SEQ’s environmental future, Goal 06: Clean Water and Sanitation, Land, Land Restoration, Nature, Threat - Erosion, Threat - Sediment, Threat - Vegetation loss, Water

Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Program

Air & atmosphere, Climate Adaptation, Fire, Goal 15: Life on Land, Land, Nature, Threat - Fire

Conserving Greater and Yellow-bellied Gliders

Biodiversity Conservation, Fire, Goal 15: Life on Land, Land, Nature, Threat - Fire, Threat - Threatened species

Laidley Creek Restoration Master Plan

Goal 06: Clean Water and Sanitation, Landscapes, Strategic Science & Partnerships, Threat - Pollution, Water

Port of Brisbane Shellfish Habitat Restoration

Biodiversity Conservation, Coastal & marine, Community, Goal 14: Life Below Water, Nature, Threat - Threatened species, Water

Lota Creek Wetlands Restoration

Biodiversity Conservation, Community, Goal 15: Life on Land, Land, Nature, Threat - Fire, Threat - Invasive species, Water

Expansion of Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium

Biodiversity Conservation, Community, Fire, First Nations, Goal 15: Life on Land, Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal, Knowledge research, Land, Land Restoration, Nature, Queensland Fire & Biodiversity Consortium, Threat - Drought, Threat - Fire

Moreton Bay Ramsar Stakeholder Network

Coastal & marine, Community, Goal 09: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Goal 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal, Strategic Science & Partnerships, Threat - Climate

Expanding the known population of Davidsonia johnsonii

Biodiversity Conservation, Goal 15: Life on Land, Nature, Threat - Threatened species, Threat - Vegetation loss

NRRP - Regional Recovery Project

Biodiversity Conservation, Community, Deliver transformative environmental & community change, Direct the investment in SEQ’s environmental future, First Nations, Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, Land, Nature, Threat - Land use
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