There are numerous models of climatic change making different predictions about consequences for regimes of temperature, sea-level, frequency and intensity of storms and other environmental variables. Some of the potential outcomes for biodiversity in intertidal habitats are considered here. They include latitudinal shifts along coast-lines - causing problems for planning of systems of marine reserves and requiring information about spatial extents of available habitat and spatial patterns of occupancy by different species. Inconsistency among species in rates of shifts along coasts needs research on competition from invading species and predation by invaders and existing species. Rises in sea-level will result in vertical shifts on coasts, with urgent needs to understand use of micro-habitats and their availability at different levels. Rising air-temperatures during low tide will have direct effects on distributions of organisms and indirect effects because of reduced amounts of food for grazers. Increased frequency and magnitude of storms can cause long-term changes in local biodiversity.
How well policies and planning for coasts in South-East Australia will help conserve biodiversity and use of fisheries resources is briefly considered in the light of possible scenarios of global warming and current gaps in relevant information.
