pressure has described for poor generally be impaired functions (above) and good associated with (hydrology, (below). wetlands that connectivity). retain only poor where Good natural adaption Through exposure and capacity integrated state sensitivity to (described and local pressure is low above), government and existing particularly where development impacts to they occur in decision making, wetland condition remote areas with policies and and function have entrenched land legislation there is emerged as a use pressures and potential to result of short limited human or explicitly term or spatially other resources to recognise the limited stress address other intrinsic value of rather than operating wetland habitat strain. pressures. and implement Moderate protection during Adaptive new development. management adaptive capacity is best management Developments are where contributing capacity will be subject to catchment areas associated with assessment, have limited wetlands that licensing and intensive retain moderate conditions that development natural adaption can protect associated with capacity freshwater high contaminant (described above) wetlands. loads and natural particularly where catchment buffers they occur in Codes of practice remain or are relatively and water capable of being undeveloped high sensitive urban repaired/ integrity basins design are in reinstated and with higher rainfall place to manage catchment run-off and climatic stormwater in hydrology regions less local areas. behaves similar to exposed to baseline seasonal
pressure has impaired functions (hydrology, connectivity). Through integrated state and local government development decision making, policies and legislation there is potential to explicitly recognise the intrinsic value of wetland habitat and implement protection during new development. Developments are subject to assessment, licensing and conditions that can protect freshwater wetlands. Codes of practice and water sensitive urban design are in place to manage stormwater in local areas. described for poor (above) and good (below). Good where exposure and sensitivity to pressure is low and existing impacts to wetland condition and function have emerged as a result of short term or spatially limited stress rather than strain. Adaptive management capacity is best where contributing catchment areas have limited intensive development associated with high contaminant loads and natural catchment buffers remain or are capable of being repaired/ reinstated and catchment run-off hydrology behaves similar to baseline generally be associated with wetlands that retain only poor natural adaption capacity (described above), particularly where they occur in remote areas with entrenched land use pressures and limited human or other resources to address other operating pressures. Moderate adaptive management capacity will be associated with wetlands that retain moderate natural adaption capacity (described above) particularly where they occur in relatively undeveloped high integrity basins with higher rainfall and climatic regions less exposed to seasonal
Vulnerability_Assessment_Freshwater_wetlands.docx