Climate change pressure on Fraser Island (K'gari)
Key Finding
Climate change is predicted to impact on some of the physical and biological characteristics of the Fraser Island (K’gari) World Heritage Area.
While the island and many of its values are a consequence of past variations in climate and sea level, significant risks are associated with predicted future climate and sea level changes.
Longer term sea-level rise is expected to result in disruption to sand supply, erosion, and sea water inundation.
These changes, together with altered rainfall patterns and increased severity of extreme weather events could impact the island’s Outstanding Universal Value.
Climate change may contribute to increased frequency of high temperature burns on the island. This may disrupt key ecological processes and communities, notably rainforests.
Climate change risk and vulnerability assessments and climate change adaptation planning for Fraser Island (K’gari) are in progress to enhance understanding of potential impacts and inform management options.
In the short-term, this threat is considered to be ‘moderate’ however, as the effects of climate change become more pronounced over the medium-to long term, the threat is predicted to move to ‘very high’.
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