Mangrove dieback from 2015-2016 in the upper fringe (Shore FID 9796, NESP TWQ 4.13)

This image shows an example of the mass dieback of mangroves that occurred in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Mangroves in the upper fringe died due to lack of water. A combination of extreme climatic conditions associated with an unusually severe El Niño event led to temporary drop in sea level of 40 cm for six months, high temperatures and drought conditions. These factors resulted in the mangrove ecosystems receiving little or no water, causing them to dry out and die. 

This image comes from helicopter surveys conducted to monitor status of mangroves along the shoreline. This image collection can also be used to study other features in the littoral and intertidal regions along the coast. For more details and access to the full imagery collection see Gulf of Carpentaria Mangrove Aerial Shoreline Surveys 2017 & 2019 (NESP TWQ 4.13, JCU)

This image has a shore FID of 7408 and was taken in the 2017 survey. Its location can be viewed on this interactive map.