Inventory and monitoring of the vascular plants of Tasmanian saltmarsh wetlands

Tasmanian coastal saltmarsh wetlands are found in sheltered low-energy environments associated with large estuaries, creek mouths, lagoons and embayments. They are mapped as two major plant communities: Succulent Saline Herbland (TASVEG Code: ASS) and Saline Sedgeland/Rushland (TASVEG Code: ARS). In Aug 2013, coastal saltmarsh was the second vegetation community in the State to be listed as a ‘threatened ecological community’ (category: vulnerable) under the Australian Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Given this status, it is important to monitor saltmarsh extent and condition. Since plants play the central role in structuring the saltmarsh ecosystem, they require monitoring as a priority. In the present paper we provide the justifications for, and details of, the species and attributes we use in State-wide monitoring of saltmarsh plants. We also outline monitoring methods and a citizen science approach. A Tasmanian Saltmarsh Wetland Plants Checklist, Saltmarsh App and a User Guide to Entering Plant Data into the Saltmarsh App have been designed to assist in this endeavour.