Although substantial and ongoing changes to nutrient cycling since European settlement continue to affect inshore habitats, this process is understood to have been generally stable since 2019. There have been important advances in our understanding of nutrient cycling and in its integration into decision-making through improved models since 2019.

Ocean pH has declined within the Region, in line with global and Australian trends. It is likely that the rate of decline has increased in recent decades, driven by progressive ocean uptake of carbon dioxide due to increasing emissions. Ocean acidification has significant implications for coral reef ecosystems.

Wider ocean patterns suggest that salinity may slowly increase in offshore areas within the Region, while inshore areas are subject to seasonal decreases in salinity as a result of freshwater input. Over the past 5 years, freshwater influence has been slightly above average overall with regional variation.