Saltmarshes and mangrove ecosystems are some of Australia’s most valuable, yet often overlooked and vulnerable coastal environments. They can be found across northern Australia, quietly protecting our shorelines, providing fish and migratory bird habitat, supporting biodiversity, cleaning our coastal waters, and storing carbon, all while existing in a delicate balance shaped by tides, rainfall, and climate. However, these ecosystems are under increasing pressure, with substantial losses already recorded in parts of northern Australia due to climate change, coastal development, altered hydrology, and human activity.
An estimated 22% of tropical saltmarsh has been lost in the Wet Tropics region since European settlement, a concerning rate of disappearance
To support their protection and restoration, and to raise awareness of their importance, Earthwatch Australia has launched the Saltmarsh Monitoring Dashboard, a powerful new tool designed to turn data into meaningful action.
Earthwatch in Action
Earthwatch revently launched the Saltmarsh Monitoring Dashboard, an interactive and dynamic platform designed to monitor our saltmarsh monitoring sites across Australia.
The Saltmarsh Monitoring Dashboard is part of Earthwatch Australia’s broader commitment to protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems. Through programs like Saltmarsh Savers, Earthwatch works alongside scientists, volunteers, and local communities to monitor ecosystem health and deliver on-ground restoration. These efforts not only strengthen environmental outcomes but also build community connection and stewardship for our natural spaces.
The dashboard is part of the Saltmarsh Savers program, a community-led citizen science initiative that collects local knowledge and on-ground observations to track saltmarsh condition, values, and threats over time. We believe that local communities play a vital role in understanding environmental change. By combining scientific data with community insights, Saltmarsh Savers helps identify high-value areas, prioritise restoration, and strengthen long-term conservation outcomes.
A New Way to Explore Saltmarsh Ecosystems
The Saltmarsh Monitoring Dashboard enables users to explore regional and site-based saltmarsh values across Australia. Whether you are a land manager, researcher, policymaker, or community member, the dashboard provides accessible insights into why these ecosystems matter and where they are under pressure.
More than that, the Saltmarsh Monitoring Dashboard demonstrates where and how Earthwatch Australia is making an impact. It tracks saltmarsh conditions and changes across northern Australia, highlight key regions and trends, and show how science and community action are working together to protect these vital ecosystems.
With the dashboard, users can:
Understand why saltmarshes are important within their region
Identify key human and climate-related threats
Explore priority areas for protection and restoration
By bringing together complex environmental data in one place, the dashboard makes it easier to visualise and understand the condition of saltmarsh ecosystems.
Supporting Smarter Conservation Decisions
A key feature of the dashboard is its investment prioritisation framework, which helps identify high-value saltmarsh areas that are most at risk. This enables organisations, governments, and communities to focus their efforts where they can have the greatest impact.
By turning data into clear, actionable insights, the dashboard supports more strategic and effective conservation planning.
How to use the Saltmarsh Dashboard
Saltmarsh Dashboard Webinar: How to
Watch our online information session exploring the newly launched Earthwatch Saltmarsh Dashboard.
Get Involved
There are many ways to support saltmarsh conservation. Through the Saltmarsh Savers program, you can contribute to citizen science surveys, help monitor ecosystem health, and take part in on-ground restoration efforts.
Earthwatch also hosts Wetlands events where you can get involved in hands-on conservation activities. Click below to learn more or register your interest in our upcoming events.
