Standard Presentation (12 minutes) Australian Marine Sciences Association 2025 Conference

Applying Environmental Economic Accounting for tidal wetland restoration in South Australia – Lessons Learned (120201)

Sabine Dittmann 1 , Dhafeena Ahmed 1 , Onil Banerjee 2 , Kieren Beaumont 1 , David Bruce 1 , Graham Carpenter 3 , Beverley Clarke 4 , Jeff Connor 5 , Bethany Cooper 5 , Steve Dettman 6 , Troy Gaston 7 , Michael Hillman 1 , Greg Johnston 1 , Emily Leyden 8 , Noah Morris 1 , Luke Mosley 8 , Anthony Newbery 9 , Gerrut Norval 1 , Imogen Owen 1 , David Short 9 , Virginia Simpson 6 , Vandana Subroy 5 , Jade Teigeler 1 , Brett Thomas 8 , Joanne Tingey-Holyoak 5 , Malcolm Worthing 1 , Qifeng Ye 9
  1. College of Science & Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  2. RMGEO International Development, Fredericton, , Canada
  3. , Black Forest, SA, Australia
  4. College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  5. University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  6. Conservation International, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  7. School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW, Australia
  8. University of Adelaide, Waite, SA, Australia
  9. South Australian Research and Development Institute, West Beach, SA, Australia

Restoration of Blue Carbon ecosystems brings a variety of benefits for climate mitigation, biodiversity, and other ecosystem services. Tidal reconnection is the most lucrative method for restoring Blue Carbon wetlands and their functions and services. The South Australian Blue Carbon Ecosystem Restoration Project is one of five projects under the DCCEEW Blue Carbon Program and includes a site that is now a registered Blue Carbon project. Restoration outcomes were measured in the field to develop accounts using the United Nations System of Environmental Economic Accounting (SEEA). A range of expertise was required, including remote sensing, soil and water quality experts, ecologists specialised on vegetation, macroinvertebrates, fish, birds, reptiles and mammals, environmental accountants and social scientists. This multi-disciplinary approach delivered a comprehensive baseline assessment and post-restoration measurements which were incorporated into ecosystem condition accounts and the evaluation of services. This talk will highlight the insights gained from the studies and reflect on the approach taken. Challenges in the application of SEEA to restoration projects will be addressed and suggestions made for improved application of accounting frameworks for tidal wetland restoration.