State of the
Basin 2008:
Rivers Assessment
L a k e E y r e B a s i n
I n t e r g o v e r n m e n t a l A g r e e m e n t
Background and Reference
2
For further copies please call the Water Information Line, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, on 1800 218 478. For further information on the Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment project contact:
Lake Eyre Basin Ministerial Forum Secretariat
www.lebmf.gov.au/contacts
Additional information on the Lake Eyre Basin Ministerial Forum, the Intergovernmental Agreement, the Rivers Assessment project and other aspects of the Basin addressed under the Intergovernmental Agreement (such as socioeconomic and cultural assessments) is available at
www.lebmf.gov.au.
Authorship
This document was prepared on behalf of the Lake Eyre Basin Scientific Advisory Panel. While the Panel has made reasonable effort to ensure that the information in this report is accurate, the Panel notes that the level of understanding of the Lake Eyre Basin is less than for some other catchments in Australia.
Copyright
© Commonwealth of Australia 2009
This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from the Commonwealth.
Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the:
Commonwealth Copyright Administration, Attorney General’s Department,
Robert Garran Offices,
National Circuit, Barton ACT 2600 or posted at www.ag.gov.au/cca
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian Government or the Minister for Climate Change and Water. The Commonwealth does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the contents, and shall not be liable for any loss or damage that may be occasioned directly or indirectly through the use of, or reliance on, the contents of this publication.
Contact & Further Information
Printed on Recycled paper PP_080731
! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
NORTHERN TERRITORY
QUEENSLAND
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
NEW SOUTH WALES
Tambo Finke Yaraka Kynuna Marree Aramac Jundah Hawker Winton Jericho Orroroo Dajarra Quilpie Boulia Kulgera Duchess Eromanga Bedourie Isisford Windorah Erldunga Areyonga Camooweal Cloncurry Urandangi Oodnadatta Birdsville Muttaburra Tibooburra Innamincka Stonehenge Thargomindah McKinlay Peterborough Santa Teresa William Creek Longreach Moomba Coober Pedy Hughenden Mount Isa Barcaldine Broken Hill Charleville Port Augusta Tennant Creek Charters Towers Townsville
Alice Springs River
Geo rgina HayR iver Macumba Creek River Ck River M ulliga n Barco o Thoms on Farra rs Sand over Torr ens Burk eRiv er Rive r River Hami lton From e Hugh R iver Strzele ckiC k Tilcha Ck River Neales Templet on R C k C re ek Wilson River Creek River Diam antin a River H ale Coop er Rive r Finke Plenty Todd River River River Field River Alb erga Ha milton PalmerR Rive r Eurinill a River River Lake Eyre North Lake Frome Lake Blanche Lake Callabonna
Lake Yamma Yamma
Lake Galilee Lake Gregory Lake Eyre South Lake Cadibarrawirracanna
Desert
Rivers
Cooper Creek
Catchment
Georgina
Diamantina
Lake
Frome
Western
Rivers
Channels and waterholes Headwaters Terminating wetlands Agreement Area 0 150 300 km 203702_002 N.S.W. S.A. N.T. Qld. A.C.T. Vic. Tas. W.A. Agreement area Lake Eyre Basin boundary
0 500 1000 km
4
Contents
Contact & Further Information 2 1 Introduction 5
1.1 Purpose of the State of the Basin 2008: Rivers Assessment – Background and Reference document 5
1.2 State of the Basin Report 2008 5
1.2.1 Background 5
1.2.2 Key Findings 6
2 Current and Future Directions for Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessments 7
2.1 Pilot Projects 7
2.2 Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment Implementation Plan 8
2.3 National Approaches to River and Wetland Monitoring 8
2.3.1 Natural Resource Management Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement (MERI)
Framework 8
2.3.2 Framework for the Assessment of River and Wetland Health (FARWH) 9
3 Indicators of Basin Condition: Current State and Progress on Assessment Methods 11
3.1 Guide to the Following Sections 11
3.2 Hydrological Condition 12
3.3 Landscape Stress 14
3.4 Water Quality 17
3.5 Fish 19
3.6 Waterbirds 21
References & Further Reading 22
1.1 P u r p o s e o f t h e S t a t e o f t h e
B a s i n 2 0 0 8 : R i v e r s A s s e s s m e n t
– B a c k g r o u n d a n d R e f e r e n c e
The State of the Basin 2008: Rivers Assessment (the 2008 Report) was released by the Lake Eyre Basin Ministerial Forum in April 2008. It provides information on the condition of watercourses and catchments within the Lake Eyre Basin Agreement Area as required under the Lake Eyre Basin Intergovernmental Agreement. This supporting document, State of the Basin 2008: Rivers Assessment –Background and Reference, provides information about the indicators of condition included in the report and how they were determined, and lists relevant references and further reading.
It is intended that this document be read in conjunction with the State of the Basin 2008: Rivers Assessment report (a summary of findings is below). For further information on the Lake Eyre Basin please refer to the 2008 Report, the Lake Eyre Basin Intergovernmental Agreement, the Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment or visit the Ministerial Forum website at www.lebmf.gov.au.
1.2 S t a t e o f t h e B a s i n R e p o r t 2 0 0 8
1.2.1 Background
The 2008 Report presents the first Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment based on current best available information. The LEB Rivers Assessment focuses on the health of the LEB river systems, including their catchments, floodplains, lakes, wetlands and overflow channels. The Assessment covers the entire LEB, some of which is outside the Agreement Area. It aims to provide the basis for ongoing monitoring to further develop understanding of the LEB river systems and to enable changes in the condition of these systems to be detected.
The first Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment is underpinned by work focused on: • summarising existing information on the condition of the LEB rivers,
• examining the responses of fish populations to cycles of flood and drought, to enable fish monitoring data to be used to classify river health,
• the feasibility and effectiveness of monitoring waterbirds as indicators of river health,
• the adequacy of the hydrological data-logging network to monitor LEB river flows and wetland persistence, and consideration of locations for new monitoring sites,
• the location and hydrology of waterholes, including their connectivity during and between floods, and their degree of permanence,
• identifying indicators of river health that can be assessed using remote sensing techniques, and
• systems to manage and deliver data on river health, especially with regard to data not held by government agencies.
Introduction
1
6
1.2.2 Key Findings
• The rivers and catchments of the Lake Eyre Basin are in generally good condition. In particular, the low level of hydrological modification means critical aquatic ecosystem processes remain intact.
• Intact aquatic ecosystems make the LEB rivers unique compared with other arid river systems in Australia and around the world. The LEB may therefore provide critical aquatic habitat, especially for migratory waterbirds, given the greater impacts seen in other river systems.
• Of the five main LEB catchments, the Cooper Creek catchment is the most studied. However, even for Cooper Creek, our knowledge is still far below that for many coastal catchments in Australia. Additional knowledge, especially of hydrology and the ‘boom and bust’ cycles of the aquatic ecosystems, are priorities for research to guide future LEB Rivers Assessments. • Threats to the condition of the LEB rivers and catchments include
inappropriate water resource development, invasive pests and land use intensification – all of which could severely impact aquatic ecosystem condition.
Current and Future Directions
for Lake Eyre Basin Rivers
Assessments
2
2.1 P i l o t P r o j e c t s
Following on from the development of the Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment Methodology Report (Sheldon et al. 2005) a number of projects have been undertaken to test potential indicators, address information gaps, improve reporting systems and inform the 2008 assessment.
Hydrology
Surface water monitoring networks in the LEB have been reviewed and
recommendations for additional monitoring sites and instrumentation prepared (Ladson et al. 2006). Water level loggers installed in the South Australian portion of the LEB for the ARIDFLO project (Good et al. 2008) have been maintained and data downloaded and analysed in 2007 (Costelloe 2007) and again in 2008, with updated recommendations for monitoring (Costelloe 2008). A pilot study is underway to evaluate the potential to use remote sensing to monitor aspects of hydrological condition.
Fish
A project was initiated through LEBRA to determine the natural trajectory of fish diversity and abundance in relation to hydrological and seasonal
conditions. A fish trajectory model has been developed (Humphries et al. 2007) and was tested by a LEBRA funded project in South Australia and Queensland catchments (Balcombe & Kerezy 2008; McNeil & Reid 2008).
Waterbirds
Waterbird surveys have been undertaken in parts of the LEB for up to 24 years. The scientific validity of using waterbirds as indicators of river condition in the LEB has been reviewed (Kingsford & Porter 2008).
Waterhole Location and Connectivity
Remote sensing methods have been used to classify the permanency and connectivity of waterholes and other wetlands in Queensland, eastern South Australia and Northern Territory portions of the LEB. This will be amalgamated to produce a single map for the LEB which will assist in understanding and monitoring the hydrology and ecology of LEB rivers.
Data Management
River assessment data are collected by a range of organisations including state government agencies, NRM bodies and universities for a range of purposes in the LEB. Marks (2006) investigated data management options for the LEB Rivers Assessment and concluded there was no single system that could handle all the data collected and there was a risk of data being lost. Development of a database of data sources that are at risk of being lost is being considered in 2009.
8
2.2 L a k e E y r e B a s i n R i v e r s A s s e s s m e n t
I m p l e m e n t a t i o n P l a n
Funding from the Lake Eyre Basin Ministerial Forum Budget has been provided to develop a LEB Rivers Assessment Implementation Plan, which will identify how regular on-going monitoring of key indicators within the LEB Agreement Area is to be implemented. The Plan is expected to be completed by mid 2009.
2.3 N a t i o n a l A p p r o a c h e s t o R i v e r a n d
W e t l a n d H e a l t h A s s e s s m e n t
When the Methodology for Assessing the Health of Lake Eyre Basin Rivers was prepared, there were no national standards or approaches regarding information on natural resource condition. Subsequently two frameworks have been developed. One framework includes nationally agreed indicators for asset condition and the other is a framework for assessing river and wetland condition. The integration of elements of these frameworks into future LEB assessments may be necessary to ensure that LEB data is relevant for multiple purposes, including for national reporting. The two frameworks are:
• the Australian Government Natural Resource Management (NRM) Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement (MERI) Framework, which incorporates the National NRM Monitoring and Evaluation Standards and Targets Framework, and
• the Framework for the Assessment of River and Wetland Health (FARWH).
2.3.1 Natural Resource Management Monitoring,
Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement (MERI) Framework
The The Australian Government Natural Resource Management Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement (MERI) Framework is a broad overarching document. It provides a generic framework for monitoring, evaluating, reporting on and improving Australia’s approach to managing key assets. The NRM MERI includes nationally agreed indicators and associated protocols in relation to the data required for reporting on resource condition, and provides national approaches to measurement. These indicators and protocols have been considered in determining the performance information methods for the Caring for Our Country MERI, where they support the outcomes being sought under that initiative. It is likely that these indicators may be used in future reporting on resource condition more broadly, and in particular, for national reporting. The indicators for river and wetland ecosystem condition are aligned with the FARWH.
Many of the indicators being developed for the LEB Rivers Assessment are consistent with those proposed under the NRM MERI Framework, including measures of river and wetland ecosystem condition, and aquatic physical and chemical condition.
More information on the resource condition indicators can be found at
www.nlwra.gov.au.
8
Current and Future Directions
for Lake Eyre Basin Rivers
2.3.2 Framework for the Assessment of River and Wetland
Health (FARWH)
The FARWH was developed by the National Water Commission as a component of Australian Water Resources (AWR) 2005. The FARWH is an assessment framework for integrating and aggregrating data collected through
jurisdictional monitoring programs that can then be nationally reported in a consistent manner.
The FARWH has six key components: • physical form • water quality and soils • aquatic biota • hydrological disturbance • fringing zone • catchment disturbance.
There are four FARWH trial projects being conducted across Australia against a number of jurisdictional monitoring programs. These trials will conclude in 2010. For one trial project the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water is testing the application of the FARWH to the Queensland portion of the LEB (and other Queensland catchments).
The indicators being developed for the LEB Rivers Assessment will continue data to most of the proposed FARWH components and ensure that this information can be integrated into the national reporting framework.
More information on the FARWH and the Queensland trials can be found at:
www.nwc.gov.au/www/html/222-framework-for-the-assessment-of-river-wetand-health.asp?intSiteID=1
www.mwc.gov.au/www/html/454-additional-trials--national-framework-for-assessment-of?intSiteID=1
Current and Future Directions
for Lake Eyre Basin Rivers
Assessments cont.
10
10
Indicators of Basin Condition
3
3.1 G u i d e t o t h e f o l l o w i n g s e c t i o n s
The following sections summarise the information reported in the 2008 Rivers Assessment, provide additional information on the basis for the assessments and explain information included in the table (page 4 of the 2008 Report).
2008 Indicator/ Stressor Condition
The table on page 4 includes a summary of the condition of each indicator (or stressor) as reported in the 2008 Rivers Assessment. Except for Hydrological Condition, which was reported at the catchment scale, the condition of the indicators was reported at the sub-catchment scale, as described in Sheldon et al. (2005):
Headwaters (HW) •
Channels and Waterholes (C&W) •
Terminating Wetlands (TW). •
Due to the scale of reporting, the indicator condition classes may not represent the condition of all individual sites within a sub-catchment, but represent the condition at the reporting scale.
The colours for each catchment correspond with those in the 2008 Rivers Assessment (LEBSAP 2008).
The Condition
Classes The Condition Classes explain the indicator classes described above. While most indicators are reported in ‘good’ condition across all catchments, defining what would constitute moderate or poor condition now will be useful for future monitoring and reporting.
The Assessment
Basis The Assessment Basis outlines the sources of information on which the assessments were based. Assessments were generally based on existing reports, scientific data and expert opinion, and in all cases were reviewed by the LEB Scientific Advisory Panel and the Rivers Assessment Steering Committee.
It may be important for future LEB river and catchment health assessments to align with the nationally agreed resource condition indicators from the NRM MERI Framework, and with FARWH for national reporting. The alignment between the proposed and current LEB river and catchment health indicators and the national aproaches are described below.
Alignment with National Approaches to River and Wetland Health Assessment
This describes alignment with nationally agreed resource condition indicators developed under the Natural Resource Management Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvemnt (MERI) Framework (see section 2.3.1); and the Framework for the Assessment of River and Wetland Health (FARWH) (see section 2.3.2).
For the nationally agreed resource condition indicators noted on the following page, the Indicator Heading is listed first and the most similar recommended indicator is italicised.
References Lists the information sources used in the assessment and development of this indicator.
11
2008 Stressor Condition Catchment Hydrological Condition Comments Georgina – Diamantina 1HW: low flows impacted by
farm dams, diversions and groundwater pumping in the upper Georgina, especially in the area around Mt Isa.
C&W: low flows slightly
impacted by stock and domestic diversions, mainly from
permanent waterholes.
TW: minimal impact.
Desert Rivers 1 Minor alteration of flow regimes due to stock and domestic use in all zones.
Western Rivers 1 Minor alteration of flow regimes due to stock and domestic use in all zones.
Lake Frome 1 Minor alteration of flow regimes due to stock and domestic use in all zones.
Cooper Creek 1 HW: low flows impacted by farm
dams and diversions, especially in the north eastern catchments.
C&W: low flows slightly
impacted by stock and domestic diversions, mainly from
permanent waterholes.
TW: minimal impact. Condition Classes 1: Low level of flood and flow modification
2: Moderate level of flood and flow modification 3: High level of flood and flow modification
Assessment Basis The current hydrological monitoring network in the LEB is sparse, with only 12 streamflow measuring stations having more than 20 years of complete data (McMahon 2005). This stressor was classified by the LEB SAP and LEBRA Steering Committee using the best available data and expert opinion. The indicator is predominantly based on the volume of water held in storage and percent flow diverted as monitored by State agencies.
An analysis of the hydrological characteristics of LEB catchments was carried out by McMahon et al. (2008) based on data from gauging stations with more than 10 years worth of data. The Diamantina River is the most regular contributor to Lake Eyre North (every two years on average), with major run-off also generated from the Georgina River, and the Barcoo and upper Thomson rivers in the Cooper Creek catchment (McMahon et al. 2005).
3.2 H y d r o l o g i c a l c o n d i t i o n
Indicators of Basin Condition
cont.
12
3.2 H y d r o l o g i c a l c o n d i t i o n c o n t .
Indicators of Basin Condition
cont.
Alignment with National Approaches to River and Wetland Health Assessment
Nationally agreed resource condition indicators:
River Condition: Hydrology (contextual indicator)
Wetland Ecosystem Condition: Physical modification to hydrology and Changes to water regime (hydrological disturbance indicators).
FARWH:
Hydrological Disturbance Index: FARWH recommends the use of hydrology indicators developed for the Murray-Darling Basin Sustainable Rivers Audit (SRA) by SKM with the addition of
groundwater assessment (National Water Commission (2007) AWR: A Baseline Assessment etc.). However, the methods developed for the SRA cannot be applied directly to LEB rivers as there is currently no model for natural flows; a time series approach would need to be used and few gauge stations would have an adequate period of data.
3.3 L a n d s c a p e S t r e s s
2008 Stressor Condition Catchment Catchment Condition Comments Georgina – Diamantina HW: 3 C&W: 2 TW: 2HW: landscape most stressed in
the northern region.
C&W: landscape moderately
stressed due to grazing
pressure around waterholes and floodplains. TW: landscape moderately stressed. Desert Rivers HW: 1 C&W: 1
HW: some north-western sub-regions moderately stressed.
Western Rivers HW: 2 C&W: 3 TW: 1
HW: landscape moderately
stressed due to land use impacts on fragile soils of the stony downs.
C&W: landscape moderately
stressed due to historically more intensive access to shallow Great Artesian Basin water resources and land use impacts on fragile soils of the stony downs.
TW: landscape minimally
stressed. Lake Frome HW: 3
C&W: 3 TW: 1
HW and C&W: landscapes most
stressed in the central south-western catchments (Flinders Ranges) due to historically more intensive land use associated with closer settlement. TW: landscape minimally stressed. Cooper Creek HW: 1 C&W: 2 TW: 1
C&W: landscape moderately
stressed in the central zone due to grazing pressure around waterholes and on floodplains.
TW: landscape minimally
stressed.
Condition Classes 1: Least stressed 2: Moderate stress 3: Most stressed
13
Indicators of Basin Condition
cont.
14
3.3 L a n d s c a p e S t r e s s
Assessment Basis The assessment is based on the National Land and Water Resources Audit (NLWRA) landscape health assessment (Morgan 2000) as represented on page 11 of Herr et al. (2007). For the NLWRA, landscape stress was assessed for each bioregion in Australia based on the following criteria:
percent of subregion with least impact from total grazing •
pressures
percent of native vegetation in land tenures associated with •
conservative land use practices density of weeds
•
density of feral animals •
number of threatened species. •
The NLWRA landscape stress rating also takes into consideration the inherent susceptibility of the natural resources (such as soil types) to degradation. The assessment was done separately for the “extensive use zone” (pastoral) and “intensive use zone” (agricultural), with additional criteria of “percent of ecosystems threatened” and “percent of native vegetation with high risk/hazard of salinity” applied in the latter. Whilst the majority of the LEB was assessed as “extensive land use zone”, the headwaters of the Cooper catchment were assessed as “intensive land use zone” and therefore had the additional criteria applied.
Both the spatial and stress scales of the NLWRA reporting were adjusted for LEB rivers assessment.
The NLWRA landscape stress rating is based on a six class relative scale from lowest stress to highest stress at a national level
(Morgan 2000). Approximately half of the LEB is in the lowest stress categories (5 and 6), with most of the remainder in medium stress categories (3 and 4) and only a small area in the highest stress categories (Herr et al. 2007). For the LEB rivers assessment, the relative scale of the NLWRA landscape stress rating was re-scaled to indicate highest stress for the LEB rather than the entire continent. Therefore the NLWRA category 3 and above was considered “most stressed” for the LEB.
The NLWRA was undertaken on a sub-bioregional basis, while the LEB rivers assessment was undertaken on a sub-catchment basis. The two scales were overlaid and the LEB rivers assessment derived visually, with consultation by the LEBRA Steering Committee.
Alignment with National Approaches to River and Wetland Health Assessment
Nationally agreed resource condition indicators:
River Condition: Drivers (e.g. catchment condition) Wetland Ecosystem Condition: Catchment disturbance
FARWH:
Catchment Disturbance Index: incorporates the effects of land use, change in vegetation cover and infrastructure (for example, roads and railway lines) on the likely runoff of sediments, nutrients and other contaminants to rivers and wetlands. It incorporates the effects of large-scale, non-point source pollution impacts.
Indicators of Basin Condition
cont.
15
Indicators of Basin Condition
cont.
2008
Indicator Condition
Catchment Condition Comments
Georgina –
Diamantina HW: 1 C&W: 1 TW: 1
HW: Nutrient pollution where
stock have waterhole access.
C&W: Nutrient pollution where
stock have waterhole access.
TW: Catchment flows contribute
substantially to periodic filling of Lake Eyre.
Desert Rivers HW: 1 C&W: 1 TW: 4
HW: Some waterholes naturally
saline during dry periods.
C&W: Some waterholes naturally
saline during dry periods. Isolated nutrient pollution where stock have waterhole access.
TW: No large wetland system.
Western Rivers HW: 4 C&W: 1 TW: 4
C&W: Some waterholes
naturally saline especially during dry periods. Isolated nutrient pollution where stock have waterhole access.
Lake Frome HW: 1 C&W: 4 TW: 4
C&W: Isolated nutrient pollution
where stock have waterhole access.
Cooper Creek HW: 1 C&W: 1 TW: 1
C&W: Nutrient pollution where
stock have waterhole access.
TW: Catchment flows contribute
substantially to periodic filling of Lake Eyre.
Condition Classes 1: Good 2: Moderate 3: Poor
4: Insufficient information available
3.4 W a t e r Q u a l i t y
16
Indicators of Basin Condition
cont.
Assessment Basis Water quality was assessed from state-based water quality
monitoring programs with expert review of the results through the LEB SAP and Steering Committee. Expert review was necessary, as water quality standards appropriate for arid rivers have not been developed. In most cases ANZECC Ecosystem Protection Guidelines are used. Choy et al. (2002) found water quality at sites in the Queensland portion of the Basin mostly exceeded the ANZECC guideline trigger values despite sites being considered to be in good condition. Bailey (2001) also recorded water quality in Queensland LEB rivers above ANZECC guideline trigger values. Choy et al. (2002) recommended that local or regional water quality guidelines need to be developed.
Alignment with National Approaches to River and Wetland Health Assessment
Nationally agreed resource condition indicators:
River Condition: Water quality (contextual indicator)
Wetland Ecosystem Condition: Water and soil quality (turbidity regime, salinity regime, change in pH)
Nutrients in Aquatic Environments: Total nitrogen + flow, Total phosphorus + flow
Turbidity / suspended particulate matter in aquatic environments: Turbidity or total suspended solids + flow
Salinity in freshwater aquatic environments: Total dissolved solids + flow or electrical conductivity + flow
FARWH:
Water Quality and Soils Index: considers the effects on biota of long-term changes in water quality characteristics (rivers and wetlands) and soil quality (wetlands), such as changes in suspended sediment and total nutrient concentrations or loads, and the effects of short-term changes in salinity and toxicant levels.
17
2008Indicator Condition
Catchment Condition Comments
Georgina –
Diamantina HW: 1 C&W: 1 TW: 1
HW: Increasing fishing pressure on
permanent waterholes. Cane toads may be present and pose a threat to the entire Basin.
C&W: Increasing fishing pressure on
permanent waterholes. Desert Rivers HW: 1
C&W: 1 TW: 4
C&W: No introduced fish species
currently known to be present. Isolated introduction of Plague Minnow successfully eradicated. Non-endemic native fish present.
TW: No large wetland system.
Western Rivers HW: 4 C&W: 1 TW: 4
C&W: One exotic fish species and
non-endemic native fish reported. Fish diversity vulnerable to extended droughts. Lake Frome HW: 4 C&W: 4 TW: 4 Cooper Creek HW: 1 C&W: 1 TW: 1
HW: Murray Cod translocated to the
Thomson River presents a threat to locally endemic species. Red Claw Crayfish introduced to the Thomson River presents a threat to native species. Cane toads are present and pose a threat to entire Basin.
C&W: Increasing fishing pressure on
permanent waterholes. Small numbers of exotic fish present, but risk of further introductions of exotic species from headwater zone.
Condition Classes 1. All expected fish species present; few introduced species
Majority of expected native fish species with established introduced fish 2.
species
Few native fish species with a dominance of introduced fish species 3.
Insufficient information available 4.
Indicators of Basin Condition
cont.
Assessment Basis The ARIDFLO surveys found relatively high numbers and diversity of native fish compared with the Murray-Darling Basin (in NSW). Less than one percent of fish caught were introduced species and this was considered a sign of good ecological condition (Good et al. 2008).
Early surveys in Queensland LEB watercourses had capture of only one exotic species (Plague Minnow Gambusia holbrooki) (Bailey & Long 2001). Surveys were undertaken in South Australia and Queensland during late 2007 and early 2008. The diversity of species, abundance and low proportion of introduced species were as expected for sites in good condition (Balcombe & Kerezy 2008; McNeil & Reid 2008).
In the Northern Territory, the assemblages of native fish have been found to be consistent with the presence or absence of permanent water features in each catchment and there are virtually no introduced fish species (Duguid et al. 2005).
Alignment with National Approaches to River and Wetland Health Assessment
Nationally agreed resource condition indicators:
River Condition: Fish (critical indicator)
Wetland Ecosystem Condition: Change in vertebrates, change in introduced species
FARWH:
Biotic Index: represents the response to changes in the environment. This can be based upon macroinvertebrates sensitive to disturbance, and/or include other components of the biota, including fish, water plants, algae, waterbirds and riparian vegetation, to gain a fuller picture of the response to ecosystem change.
18
3.4 W a t e r Q u a l i t y
Indicators of Basin Condition
cont.
19
2008Indicator Condition
Catchment Condition Comments
Georgina –
Diamantina HW: 1 C&W: 1 TW: 1
TW: The significantly large wetland systems
supporting Lignum shrub structure are important for waterbird nesting.
Desert Rivers HW: 4 C&W: 1 TW: 1 Western Rivers HW: 4 C&W: 1 TW: 1 Lake Frome HW: 4 C&W: 4 TW: 1
TW: The significantly large wetland systems are
important for waterbird nesting and feeding areas. Lake Frome is not greatly used by waterbirds.
Cooper Creek HW: 4 C&W: 1 TW: 1
TW: The significantly large wetland systems
supporting Lignum shrub structure are important for waterbird nesting.
Condition Classes 1: All expected bird species present at natural levels of abundance
2: All expected bird species present but at lower than expected levels of abundance 3: Some species missing and those present at a low level of abundance
4: Insufficient information available
Assessment Basis The assessment of the Waterbirds indicator was provided by Professor Richard Kingsford (University of New South Wales) based on his interpretation of long-term datasets.
The majority of recorded inland waterbirds species were found during ARIDFLO surveys and large scale breeding events were observed in response to one-in-ten year flood events in 2000 and 2001 (Good et al. 2008).
Alignment with National Approaches to River and Wetland Health Assessments
Waterbirds are not specifically recommended as NRM MERI nationally agreed resource condition indicators or as a component under the FARWH, but they can be incorporated into the FARWH through Biotic Index. They could be incorporated into the nationally agreed resource condition indicators, Wetland Ecosystem Condition ”biota“ indicator and for the Biodiversity indicator “Selected significant native species and ecological communities extent and conservation status.”
FARWH:
Biotic Index: represents the response to changes in the environment. This can be based upon macroinvertebrates sensitive to disturbance, and/or include other components of biota, including fish, water plants, algae, waterbirds and riparian vegetation, to gain a fuller picture of the response to ecosystem change.
Indicators of Basin Condition
cont.
20
References &
Fur ther Reading
4
Arid Lands Catchment Water Management Board (2006) State of the Catchment Summary, South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board.
Australian Government (2008) Natural Resource Management Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement Framework.
Bailey V (2001) Western Streams Water Quality Monitoring Project, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Brisbane.
Bailey V & Long P (2001) Wetland, Fish and Habitat Survey in the Lake Eyre Basin,
Queensland: Final Report, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Brisbane. Balcombe SR & Kerezy A (2008) Preliminary Fish Sampling for the Lake Eyre Basin Rivers
Assessment: Testing the Fish Trajectory Model, Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University.
Bunn S, Thoms MC, Hamilton SK & Capon SJ (2006) Flow variability in dryland rivers: boom, bust and the bits in between, River Research and Applications, 22, 179–186.
Choy SC, Thompson CB & Marshal JC (2002) Ecological condition of central Australian arid-zone rivers, Water Science and Technology, 45(11): 225–232.
Costelloe F (2007) Final Report; Maintenance of ARIDFLO logger network, University of Melbourne.
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Basin, University of Melbourne, report to South Australian Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Consevation, Adelaide.
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References &
Fur ther Reading cont.
21
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Photograph credits
Cover top: Queerbidie Waterhole, Cooper Creek, near Innamincka (G. Scholz) Cover middle and back page: temporary wetland, Coongie Lakes system (G. Scholz) Cover bottom and Page 13: Bourke’s Waterhole, Cooper Creek (G. Scholz)
Page 4: Thomson River near Longreach in flood, January 2008 (V. Norris) Page 5: Queerbidie Waterhole, Cooper Creek, near Innamincka (G. Scholz) Page 6: Pelican, Cooper Creek (G. Scholz)
Page 7: The ”Choke”, Cullyamurra Waterhole, Cooper Creek (G. Scholz) Page 9: Wetland at Monte Collina bore (G. Scholz)
Page 18: Cracked wetland bed (G. Scholz)
Page 19: Fish sampling in lower Diamantina River (M. White)
C&W Channels and Waterholes
FARWH Framework for the Assessment of River and Wetland Health HW Headwaters
LEB Lake Eyre Basin
LEBRA Lake Eyre Basin Rivers Assessment
MERI NRM Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement Framework
NRM Natural Resource Management
NWI National Water Initiative
SAP Scientific Advisory Panel
SRA Sustainable Rivers Audit
TW Terminating Wetlands
