actions are needed to implemented. manage. Introduced aquatic Introduced aquatic weeds are Leads to lowered oxygen levels Ongoing decline of If weeds continue to well established in the basin. in aquatic ecosystems that render wetlands and associated proliferate a reduction in weeds Changes in flow are removing habitats unsuitable for most floodplain ecosystems. water quality, fish habitat periods of seasonal drying that native fish species. Create and connectivity are likely normally native sedges. blackwater pulses that cause to occur. ‘cull’ As a result native sedges are downstream fish barriers. Act as overgrowing effected a barrier to fish movement. wetlands. Changed overland Most Changes to connectivity and Ongoing weed problems. Likely decline in water hydrology development/modification has water retention which has quality and aquatic occurred on the floodplain and impacted on all ecological biodiversity in the coastal zone. processes. GBRWHA. It became illegal to establish Loss of connectivity and declines Plans to modify ponded Improved productivity, Ponded pasture/wetland production new ponded pastures in the in fish productivity, blackwater, pastures to improve ecosystem health and coastal zone in 2001 (policy and the potential release of acid ecosystem health. Bunds resilience. for development and use of sulphate soils. can be rebuilt if lost ponded pasture). however.
actions are needed to manage. implemented. Introduced aquatic weeds Introduced aquatic weeds are well established in the basin. Changes in flow are removing periods of seasonal drying that normally ‘cull’ native sedges. As a result native sedges are overgrowing effected wetlands. Leads to lowered oxygen levels in aquatic ecosystems that render habitats unsuitable for most native fish species. Create blackwater pulses that cause downstream fish barriers. Act as a barrier to fish movement. Ongoing decline of wetlands and associated floodplain ecosystems. If weeds continue to proliferate a reduction in water quality, fish habitat and connectivity are likely to occur. Changed overland hydrology Most development/modification has occurred on the floodplain and coastal zone. Changes to connectivity and water retention which has impacted on all ecological processes. Ongoing weed problems. Likely decline in water quality and aquatic biodiversity in the GBRWHA. Ponded pasture/wetland production It became illegal to establish new ponded pastures in the coastal zone in 2001 (policy for development and use of ponded pasture). Loss of connectivity and declines in fish productivity, blackwater, and the potential release of acid sulphate soils. Plans to modify ponded pastures to improve ecosystem health. Bunds can be rebuilt if lost however. Improved productivity, ecosystem health and resilience.
Haughton-Basin-Assessment-2013.docx