Water quality Information Sheet
Aquatic ecosystem condition reports 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in the South Australian Arid Lands and Northern & Yorke NRM regions – Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Ranges
Issued July 2013
EPA 998/13: This information sheet describes the outcome of the panel assessment of creeks and rivers sampled in the Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Ranges in the South Australian Arid Areas and Northern & Yorke Natural Resources Management (NRM) regions, during 2012.
Introduction
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) coordinates a monitoring, evaluation and reporting (MER) program on the aquatic ecosystem condition of South Australian creeks and rivers. This MER program is designed to meet several objectives:
Providing a statewide monitoring framework for creeks and rivers that revolves through the NRM regions with sufficient frequency to allow for State of the Environment Reporting purposes.
Describing aquatic ecosystem condition for broad general public understanding.
Identifying the key pressures and management responses to those pressures.
Providing a useful reporting format that can support environmental decision making within government, community and industry.
This information sheet provides a summary of the scientific work used in assessing monitoring data from creeks and rivers. Aquatic ecosystem science is not always rigid and precise; it is often open to different interpretations in several respects. Therefore, the EPA has decided the best way to assess the condition of streams is through an expert panel deliberation that uses a consistent descriptive modelling approach.
The panel members comprised an environmental consultant, a biologist from the bio-monitoring team at the Australian Water Quality Centre (AWQC), and two EPA biologists (the authors). All have at least 10 years experience in monitoring and assessing a range of streams across South Australia.
The panel members were:
Peter Goonan, EPA
Tracy Corbin, EPA
Darren Hicks, AWQC
Chris Madden, Freshwater Macroinvertebrates.
Environment Protection Authority
2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in the Adelaide & Mt Lofty Ranges NRM Region
This information sheet is a technical document that contains relatively sophisticated concepts and content. It summarises the scientific assessment of data collected from creeks and rivers in the Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Ranges from the South Australian Arid Areas (SAAL) and Northern & Yorke (N&Y) NRM regions during 2012.
Site selection
A total of 65 sites were sampled during 2012, comprising 11 sites from the Southern Flinders Ranges in the Northern & Yorke NRM region, and 54 sites from the mid to Northern Flinders Ranges and Lake Eyre Basin in the South Australian Arid Areas NRM region. The Flinders Ranges sites were sampled in autumn and spring to account for the expected seasonal differences in physical habitat structure and aquatic biology of streams that occur in the area. The Lake Eyre Basin sites were only sampled during one survey period due to problems associated with access (eg tracks generally accessible for western sites in autumn but not in spring, large distances between sites, and lack of seasonality in rainfall patterns and resulting aquatic biology). Sites from the western part of the basin sampled were in autumn and eastern basin sites sampled in spring.
Sites were selected either from a list of previously sampled sites or to complement recently sampled fish monitoring sites from the Lake Eyre Basin. Additional sites were also included from the Balcanoona and Nepouie creek catchments to assess the condition of reaches where Flinders Ranges Purple-spotted Gudgeon have been recorded in the recent past. The distribution of selected sites throughout each region ensured the spatial extent of the stream network that was accessible by the existing road network was sampled. A number of sites were accessed down the end of poorly defined tracks or walking trails leading off from unsealed tracks.
This sampling design provides targeted information about the fixed sites and provides an indication of the general condition of waters in each region. However, the lack of randomly selected sites in this design limits the ability to provide a statistically valid assessment of all waters in a region with a known degree of error.
The EPA has developed a stream reach database that can be used to select random sites using an unequal probability of selection criterion to ensure a similar number of sites can be generated for each stream order (Catchment Simulations Solution 2011). This would enable an assessment to be made of the kilometres or percentage of streams with different condition ratings, enriched with nutrients, dominated by fine sediments or some other disturbance measure. However, in consultation with staff from both NRM regions, the decision was made to continue to build on the limited information base for previously sampled fixed sites and to only develop a more general understanding of the regional condition of waters at this stage.
It is important to note here that unlike other regions in South Australia, the remote location and generally limited road network throughout the Lake Eyre Basin and parts of the Flinders Ranges have resulted in the collection of only sparse datasets detailing the aquatic biology, water chemistry, sediment and habitat measures of rivers and creeks in these regions. Consequently, extending the limited knowledge base about the few fixed sites that have been sampled in the past remains the logical focus of current work in each region, although future assessments may include a subset of random and fixed sites to provide greater flexibility in the way the overall findings can be reported.
The assessment
Members of the expert panel individually rated each site using a descriptive model for interpreting change in aquatic ecosystems in relation to increasing levels of disturbance (Davies and Jackson 2006). The assumption in this assessment is that biological (ecological) condition deteriorates as the degree of human disturbance in the catchment increases, and conversely, the best condition occurs where there is little to no human disturbance of the environment (Figure 1).
2 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Ranges
Figure 1 Human disturbance gradient showing the six different ecological condition grades or ratings ranging from Excellent (best) to Very Poor (worst) with a brief definition of each condition
The process used to grade or rate sites involved the following steps:
1 Conceptual models describing the ecological responses to general disturbance gradients were developed, reviewed and updated by the panel; separate models were developed for the Flinders Ranges and Lake Eyre Basin to represent the different stream types that occur in the Far North of South Australia (Tables 1–2).
2 Species lists were compiled for each model from the data collected in 2012 that described the expected biotic assemblage for each of six possible condition ratings; separate species lists were developed for the Flinders Ranges and the Western and Eastern Lake Eyre Basin to describe the obvious biotic differences that occur across each region (Tables 3–5).
3 Each site was given a rating based on the macroinvertebrate communities, vegetation assemblages, water chemistry and sediment features that were recorded during autumn and spring sampling periods. Note that for sites that were consistently dry, only the vegetation data, sediment and habitat features were used to provide a rating; during wetter periods, many of these sites would probably rate differently but the assessment was based on the conditions that occurred during 2012.
4 The individual ratings derived by the panel members were combined to produce an overall, or final, rating for each site (Table 6).
The final reported ratings were derived by initially determining the mode rating (most common rating from the panel ratings for each site), and in cases where two possible ratings were reached, a precautionary philosophy was used to select the poorer rating. For a few cases where three possible ratings were assigned by panel members, the final rating was determined by omitting the best and worst ratings and selecting the worst rating from the remaining results.
The ratings in the model range from Excellent to Very Poor. However, given the extent of stock and feral animal grazing in each region, the panel considered that Excellent probably no longer occurs and was certainly not evident from the sites sampled in 2012. Similarly, the Very Poor rating was also unlikely to occur because it typically applies to severely altered streams in urban areas or downstream from mines leaking metals, acid or salt into local waterways. Neither situation was expected to occur in the Lake Eyre Basin or Flinders Ranges given the limited extent of urban centres and the location and type of mines in each region.
3 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Ranges
Table 1 Conceptual model of ecological responses to a disturbance gradient in the Flinders Ranges.
Rating Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor Very Poor
Stressor As naturally occurs with Least impacted streams Slightly modified and Moderate changes to Substantially modified Severely altered and description native vegetation and no with largely natural likely to be showing native vegetation and and likely to retain only likely to only occur in pest or introduced species vegetation communities, initial signs of habitats but retains limited areas of native the region in urban
present. Given the such as surrounding the enrichment and some major natural features vegetation and show stream reaches. Sites historical sheep and cattle permanent and semi- modification of natural present in evidence of clearly assigned to this rating stocking practices in permanent springs and habitat features. Likely watercourses from the altered habitats. Damage will typically be region from the 1800s–mid streams around Mount to occur in springs and region. Some localised from stock and feral affected by a toxicant 1900s, ongoing damage Remarkable in the south, streams with large nutrient enrichment animal grazing of riparian or other disturbance caused by pest species Flinders Ranges National areas of natural and fine sediment habitats likely to be that significantly limits (eg goats, donkeys Park in the central region, vegetation remaining. additions likely to widespread and evidence the diversity and
rabbits, and mosquito fish and the Gammon Ranges Generally only applies occur due to the of large amounts of abundance of aquatic in some catchments), National Park and for well vegetated, extent of stock and nutrients and possibly fine life present in a occasional grazing of Arkaroola–Mount Painter permanent or near feral animals sediment being added to stream. Past work
refuge springs and Sanctuary in the north. permanent freshwater accessing the site. sites from local sources. focused on current waterholes by stock and Very few introduced habitats but may also May occur near urban and disused mines in
feral animals and species present, habitat include more ephemeral centres, mines or major the region, failed to presence of weeds across structure unaltered by waters with only minor roads, areas where show any evidence of
much of the Flinders human activities and little habitat changes and historical damage to significant sediment or Ranges, this rating may evidence of nutrient evidence of slight springs and creeks may contaminant damage no longer exist in the enrichment or riparian addition of nutrient and have occurred in the past of streams but it is
region. disturbance caused by fine sediment from the and contributed to the possible that localised human activities. May also surrounding landuses. poor condition of reaches or future
apply to more ephemeral individual reaches or tailings dam failures
and naturally saline springs. May also occur could result in major streams that lack any at springs and waterholes environmental
recent indications of stock damaged by leaking damage. However, damage or nutrient septics from nearby rural given the existing
enrichment effects. homesteads or where land-uses in the stock concentrate near Flinders Ranges, this
waters due to local rating is unlikely to farming practices. occur in the region.
4 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Ranges
Rating Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor Very Poor
Biological Native assemblages of Least disturbed Good richness; Impaired Degraded assemblages; Severely degraded assemblages plants and animals, as assemblages. Vegetation generalist assemblage assemblages; tolerant and generalist assemblages with few naturally occurs for the largely native trees over that includes at least generalists and insect taxa dominate but taxa and generally low
landscape. Typically native predominantly native some non-insect tolerant taxa dominate numbers usually reduced, abundances; may gum tree overstorey with understorey but typically species for the numbers which usually although 1–2 generalist have large numbers of range of native includes some introduced permanent springs and includes some very taxa may be present in one or two tolerant understorey plants, species. Aquatic creeks but more abundant taxa; more high abundances; only taxa such as including different age macroinvertebrate ephemeral habitats may sensitive and rare 1–2 rare or non-insect oligochaetes, classes but no introduced assemblages typically with only support aerially taxa, if present, only species present in low mosquito larvae or species. More saline high richness; intolerants dispersed insects such occur in very low abundances or absent; midges (eg
landscapes may lack gum and specialist taxa often as beetles, waterbugs numbers; absence of often few or only 1–2 Chironomus, trees and often comprise dominate abundances but and dipterans; some taxa expected scattered trees occur as Procladius and paperbarks or acacia more ephemeral habitats emerging symptoms of for the available small patches over an Tanytarsus);
overstorey species. include rich insect fauna; stress in relation to habitats present; understorey dominated by vegetation typically Aquatic macroinvertebrate may include some nutrient enrichment vegetation showing introduced plants; extent expected to comprise assemblages usually introduced species present evident due to the obvious change from of the poorly bank introduced species comprise some flow in low abundances. dominance by organic natural assemblages vegetative cover typically with little to no dependent species and feeders; vegetation is in the landscape, <25% cover. remnant native
non-insect groups, and a slightly altered from the comprising at least vegetation.
wide range of insect natural assemblage some trees present in
species. No obvious expected for the or near the riparian
symptoms of stress or landscape, comprising zone that is dominated
presence of any predominantly native by introduced plants;
introduced aquatic trees with a few weeds extent of the
species. Include a range of and introduced species moderately well
short and long-lived life present; extent of the vegetated bank cover
history strategies, and well vegetated bank typically <50%.
wide range of traits which cover typically >50%.
confer local ecosystem
resilience to disturbance.
More permanent habitats
likely to provide a
significant refuge but more
5 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Range
Rating Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor Very Poor
ephemeral and naturally saline waters will typically
be dominated by a range of generalist insects. Abundances of all aquatic species generally low.
Water As naturally occurs; no Least disturbed with high Largely unremarkable Fair water quality with Poor water quality with Very poor water chemistry human contaminants proportion of natural water quality but with at generally saturated generally saturated quality with at least conditions present and stock or pest features. Water likely to be least some nutrients dissolved oxygen dissolved oxygen (when one parameter at a species elsewhere in the naturally fresh (salinity present at higher than (when sampled during sampled during the day), toxicant concentration
catchment not impacting <3,000 mg/L) apart from expected the day), nutrients nutrients present at very that limits aquatic on the local water quality the Willochra catchment concentrations, coupled present at high high concentrations and diversity; often very (eg nutrients, hormones). and some low-lying with at least one plant concentrations and high plant productivity low dissolved oxygen streams along the eastern indicator showing corresponding high evident throughout the and may be saline and
side of Lake Eyre that are emerging signs of levels of algal and site (eg chlorophyll a enriched in nutrients possibly naturally saline. enrichment effects (eg plant growths (eg >10 ug/L, macrophyte but algal and plant Streams are also typically either chlorophyll a chlorophyll a >10 ug/L, cover >10% cover and growth limited.
well oxygenated and show >10 ug/L, macrophyte macrophyte cover filamentous algae >35%
no evidence of significant cover >10% cover >10% cover and/or cover most of the time). eutrophication effects (eg and/or filamentous filamentous algae
large algal or plant algae >35% cover) but >35% cover) evident growths, blackened site not overwhelmed. on occasions. sediments due to organic
enrichment).
Physical Natural habitat and flow Near natural habitat and Good habitat structure Fair habitat structure Poor habitat structure and Severe modifications habitat and patterns; no dams or flow regimes; mostly well and flow patterns; and flow patterns; flow patterns; may have to physical habitat and flow patterns abstractions present; vegetated catchments with extent of dam many small dams may many dams present in the flow patterns; may range of sediment types few dams present; range development has not be present in the catchment; anaerobic fine have many dams
typically present and not of sediment types present caused an obvious loss catchment; anaerobic sediments usually present present in the always anaerobic. and not always anaerobic. of riffle habitats; range fine sediments usually except when large algal catchment; generally of sediment types present, except for growths are present and cleared agricultural or
6 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Ranges
Rating Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor Very Poor
present and not always coarse sandy aerate the sediments. urban sites; anaerobic anaerobic. sediments or when fine sediments often large algal growths dominate.
oxygenate the sediments.
Human No obvious human No significant human Effects of human Diffuse source Obvious diffuse source Severe point and/or activities and disturbances. disturbances but may disturbance becoming enrichment effects enrichment effects diffuse source effects sources in the include some rural obvious; good buffer evident; riparian zone present; unbuffered that may include catchment housing, unsealed roads zones and/or riparian not effective at waterway with ineffective toxicant responses; and disused mines; no vegetation present that mitigating local or no riparian vegetation effects dominate water
point source discharges help to mitigate diffuse addition of nutrients remaining other than quality and biological and diffuse pollution not pollution effects from and fine sediment introduced grasses; major response with little
obviously affecting the surrounding landuses from entering these changes to catchment evidence of the aquatic ecosystem, due to (eg stock and feral waters. land use with little original waterway the extent of native animal grazing, remnant vegetation evident; unbuffered
vegetation and natural tourism). remaining and agricultural channel that has habitats surrounding each grazing dominating local undergone extreme
spring or stream. landuse. modifications due to the adjacent agricultural or urban setting.
7 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Ranges
Table 2 Conceptual model of ecological responses to a disturbance gradient in the Lake Eyre Basin.
Rating Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor Very Poor
Stressor As naturally occurs Least impacted Slightly modified and Moderate changes to Substantially modified Severely altered and description with native vegetation streams with largely likely to be showing native vegetation and and likely to retain only likely to only occur in the and no pest or natural vegetation initial signs of habitats but retains limited areas of native region in urban stream
introduced species communities, such enrichment and some major natural features vegetation and show reaches. Sites assigned present. Given the as occurs modification of natural present in evidence of clearly to this rating will typically historical cattle surrounding the habitat features. Likely watercourses from the altered habitats. Stock be affected by a toxicant stocking practices in permanent and to occur in streams or region. Some localised grazing damage to or other disturbance that region from the semi-permanent waterholes with large nutrient enrichment riparian habitats likely to significantly limits the 1800s–mid-1900s, waterholes on areas of natural likely to occur, in be widespread and diversity and abundance ongoing damage Cooper and vegetation remaining. addition to upstream evidence of large of aquatic life present in
caused by pest Diamantina creeks. Generally only applies sources, due to the amounts of nutrients a stream. Given the species (eg camels, Very few introduced for well vegetated, extent of stock being added to sites landuses, this rating is pigs, rabbits, mosquito species present, permanent or near accessing the site. from local sources. May not likely to occur in
fish and goldfish in habitat structure permanent freshwater occur near urban centres the region.
some catchments), unaltered by human habitats but may also or major roads, areas
occasional grazing of activities and little include more where historical damage
waterholes by cattle evidence of nutrient ephemeral waters with to waterholes may have
and presence of enrichment or only minor habitat occurred in the past and
weeds across much of riparian disturbance. changes and evidence contributed to the poor
the arid landscape, May also apply to of slight addition of condition of individual
this rating may no more ephemeral nutrient from the waterholes. May also
longer exist in the waterholes and sites surrounding landuses. occur at waterholes
region. that lack any recent damaged by leaking
indications of stock septics from nearby rural
damage or nutrient homesteads or where
enrichment effects. stock concentrate near waters due to local
farming practices.
8 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Ranges
Rating Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor Very Poor
Biological Native assemblages of Least disturbed Good richness; Impaired Degraded assemblages; Severely degraded assemblages plants and animals, as assemblages. generalist assemblage assemblages; tolerant and generalist assemblages with few naturally occurs for the Vegetation largely that includes at least generalists and insect taxa dominate but taxa and generally low
landscape. Typically native trees over some non-insect tolerant taxa dominate numbers usually abundances; may have native gum tree predominantly native species for the numbers which usually reduced, although 1–2 large numbers of one or overstorey with range understorey but permanent waterholes includes some very generalist taxa may be two tolerant taxa such as of native understorey typically includes but more ephemeral abundant taxa; more present in high oligochaetes, mosquito plants, including some introduced habitats may only sensitive and rare abundances; only 1–2 larvae or midges (eg different age classes species. Aquatic support aerially taxa, if present, only rare or non-insect Chironomus, Procladius but no introduced macroinvertebrate dispersed insects such occur in very low species present in low and Tanytarsus);
species. More saline assemblages as beetles, waterbugs numbers; absence of abundances or absent; vegetation typically landscapes may lack typically with high and dipterans; some taxa expected often few or only 1–2 expected to comprise gum trees and often richness; intolerants emerging symptoms of for the available scattered trees occur as introduced species with
comprise paperbarks and specialist taxa stress in relation to habitats present; small patches over an little to no remnant or acacia overstorey often dominate nutrient enrichment vegetation showing understorey dominated native vegetation. species. Aquatic abundances but evident due to the obvious change from by introduced plants;
macroinvertebrate more ephemeral dominance by organic natural assemblages extent of the poorly bank assemblages usually habitats include rich feeders; vegetation is in the landscape, vegetative cover typically comprise some insect fauna; may slightly altered from the comprising at least <25% cover. riverine species and include some natural assemblage some trees present in
non-insect groups, and introduced species expected for the or near the riparian a wide range of insect present in low landscape, comprising zone that is dominated species. No obvious abundances. predominantly native by introduced plants;
symptoms of stress or trees with a few weeds extent of the
presence of any and introduced species moderately well introduced aquatic present; extent of the vegetated bank cover
species. Include a well vegetated bank typically <50%.
range of short and cover typically >50%.
long-lived life history
strategies, and wide
range of traits which
confer local ecosystem resilience to
9 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Range
Rating Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor Very Poor
disturbance. More permanent habitats
likely to provide a significant refuge but more ephemeral and
naturally saline waters will typically be dominated by a range of generalist insects. Abundances of all aquatic species generally low.
Water chemistry As naturally occurs; no Least disturbed with Largely unremarkable Fair water quality with Poor water quality with Very poor water quality conditions human contaminants high proportion of water quality but with generally saturated generally saturated with at least one present and stock or natural features. at least some nutrients dissolved oxygen dissolved oxygen (when parameter at a toxicant
pest species Water likely to be present at higher than (when sampled during sampled during the day), concentration that limits elsewhere in the naturally turbid and expected the day), nutrients nutrients present at very aquatic diversity; often
catchment not well oxygenated, concentrations, present at high high concentrations and very low dissolved impacting on the local and show no coupled with at least concentrations and high plant productivity oxygen and may be water quality (eg evidence of one plant indicator corresponding high evident throughout the saline and enriched in nutrients, hormones). significant showing emerging levels of algal and site (eg chlorophyll a nutrients but algal and Freshwater streams eutrophication signs of enrichment plant growths (eg >>10 ug/L, macrophyte plant growth limited. likely to be naturally effects (eg large effects (eg either chlorophyll a >10 ug/L, cover >10% cover and
very turbid but more algal or plant chlorophyll a >10 ug/L, macrophyte cover filamentous algae >35% saline waters will be growths, blackened macrophyte cover >10% cover and/or cover most of the time). clear and coloured. sediments due to >10% cover and/or filamentous algae
organic enrichment). filamentous algae >35% cover) evident
>35% cover) but site on occasions.
not overwhelmed.
10 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Ranges
Rating Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor Very Poor
Physical habitat Natural habitat and Near natural habitat Good habitat structure Fair habitat structure Poor habitat structure Severe modifications to and flow flow patterns; no dams and flow regimes; and flow patterns; and flow patterns; and flow patterns; may physical habitat and flow patterns or abstractions mostly well many small dams may many small dams may have many dams patterns; may have present; range of fine vegetated be present in the be present in the present in the catchment many dams present in
sediment types catchments with few catchment (highlands catchment (highlands (Queensland); anaerobic the catchment typically present and dams present; range in Queensland); range in Queensland); fine sediments usually (Queensland); generally not always anaerobic of fine sediment of fine sediment types anaerobic fine present except when cleared agricultural or types present and present and not always sediments usually large algal growths are urban sites; anaerobic not always anaerobic. present, except for present and aerate the fine sediments often anaerobic. coarse sandy sediments. dominate.
sediments or when
large algal growths oxygenate the sediments.
Human No obvious human No significant Effects of human Diffuse source Obvious diffuse source Severe point and/or activities and disturbances. human disturbances disturbance becoming enrichment effects enrichment effects diffuse source effects sources in the but may include obvious; good buffer evident; riparian zone present; unbuffered that may include toxicant catchment some rural housing zones and/or riparian not effective at waterway with ineffective responses; effects and unsealed roads; vegetation present that mitigating local or no riparian vegetation dominate water quality
no point source help to mitigate diffuse addition of nutrients remaining other than and biological response discharges and pollution effects from and fine sediment from introduced grasses; with little evidence of the diffuse pollution not surrounding land-uses entering these waters. major changes to original waterway obviously affecting (eg cattle grazing, catchment land use with evident; unbuffered
the aquatic tourism). little remnant vegetation channel that has
ecosystem, due to remaining and undergone extreme
the extent of native agricultural grazing modifications due to the vegetation and dominating local adjacent agricultural or
natural habitats landuse. urban setting. surrounding each
stream or waterhole.
11 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Ranges
Table 3 List of biota expected to occur for each rating in the Flinders Ranges in 2012
Streams in an Excellent condition probably no longer occur in the region and would be expected to support some sensitive and rare species, similar to sites in very good condition, but have no introduced species present. Similarly, streams in Very Poor condition would not be expected to occur due to the absence of large cropping or irrigated agricultural disturbance or urban centres; although may occur if a major contaminant spill occurred from a tailings dam from a mine or accident involving a tanker. Very Poor sites would be expected to only include a few tolerant species and have water quality too poor to support fish. Note that some rare and sensitive species collected in previous years were not detected in 2012, including stoneflies (Dinotoperla evansi, Riekoperla naso and Leptoperla tasmanica around Mount Remarkable) and selected caddisflies (eg Orphninotrichia and Apsilochorema).
Very Good Good Fair Poor
Attribute 1 Hydracarina several families may be Hydracarina several families may Hydracarina more than one None present Rare and/or present in low numbers (including be present in low numbers family may be present (including
regionally endemic Limnesiidae, Unionicolidae, Pionidae, (including Limnesiidae, Limnesiidae, Unionicolidae, Oxidae, Hygrobatidae); Mollusca Unionicolidae, Pionidae, Oxidae, Pionidae, Oxidae, Hygrobatidae);
Pygmanisus, Isidorella; Crustacea Hygrobatidae); Mollusca Mollusca Pygmanisus, Isidorella; Melitidae; Diptera Harnishia; Fish Pygmanisus, Isidorella; Crustacea Melitidae; Diptera
Flinders Purple-spotted Gudgeon (note Crustacea Melitidae; Diptera Harnishia; Fish Flinders Purple- some isolated springs are naturally Harnishia; Fish Flinders Purple- spotted Gudgeon fishless, so sites from the Mawson spotted Gudgeon
Plateau should naturally lack fish)
Attribute 2 Wide range of beetles present in low Wide range of beetles present in Wide range of beetles present, Saline tolerant beetles with Sensitive, rare or numbers, including some rarely low to moderate numbers, including some rarely collected limited distribution in region vulnerable specialist collected species (eg Paranacaena, including some rarely collected species (eg Paranacaena, may be present (eg taxa with narrow Necterosoma dispar, Necterosoma species (eg Paranacaena, Necterosoma dispar, Necterosoma penicillatus, environmental regulare, Hyphydrus, Berosus Necterosoma dispar, Necterosoma regulare, Spercheus, Limnoxenus requirements discolour, Berosus nutans); several Necterosoma regulare, Hyphydrus, Berosus discolour, zealandicus); and at least one flow dependent species may be Hyphydrus, Berosus discolour, Berosus nutans); several flow flow dependent species may
present, sometimes in large numbers Berosus nutans); several flow dependent species may be be present in low numbers (eg (including the beetle Platynectes, biting dependent species may be present (including the beetle Simulium ornatipes) midge Forcipomyia, blackfly Simulium present in generally low to Platynectes, biting midge
ornatipes, fly family Dolichopodidae, moderate numbers (including the Forcipomyia, blackfly Simulium chironomid Rheotanytarsus and beetle Platynectes, biting midge ornatipes, fly family caddisfly Cheumatopsyche); Forcipomyia, blackfly Simulium Dolichopodidae, chironomid
12 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Ranges
Very Good Good Fair Poor
Ephemeroptera Thraulophlebia ornatipes, fly family Rheotanytarsus and caddisfly inconspicua (southern region, Dolichopodidae, chironomid Cheumatopsyche);
freshwater streams only) Rheotanytarsus and caddisfly Ephemeroptera Thraulophlebia Cheumatopsyche); inconspicua (southern region,
Ephemeroptera Thraulophlebia freshwater streams only) inconspicua (southern region,
freshwater streams only)
Attribute 3 Ephemeroptera Cloeon and (often in Ephemeroptera Cloeon and Ephemeroptera Cloeon and None present (too salty, lacks Sensitive, ubiquitous large numbers) Tasmanocoenis tillyardi Tasmanocoenis (indicator Tasmanocoenis (indicator coarse sediments or too taxa permanent, freshwater with permanent, freshwater with ephemeral) salinity <3,000 mg/L) salinity <3,000 mg/L)
Attribute 4 Mollusca several types of non- Mollusca several types of non- Mollusca several types of non- Mollusca none present; Opportunistic or operculate molluscs (eg Ferrissia, operculate molluscs (eg Ferrissia, operculate molluscs (eg Ferrissia, Diptera Few families present, generalist taxa Glyptophysa, Austropeplea) from Glyptophysa, Austropeplea) from Glyptophysa, Austropeplea) from occasionally in large numbers; permanent springs; Diptera wide range permanent springs; Diptera wide permanent springs; Diptera few Coleoptera Few genera
of families present; Trichoptera range of families present; families present often in large typically present, sometimes Lectrides varians, Oecetis, Ecnomus Trichoptera Lectrides varians, numbers; Trichoptera Lectrides present in large numbers. (latter often lowland streams) Oecetis, Ecnomus (latter often varians, Oecetis, Ecnomus (latter lowland streams) often lowland streams)
Attribute 5 Turbellaria; Crustacea Austrochiltonia Turbellaria; Crustacea Turbellaria; Crustacea Turbellaria; Mites Arrenuridae Tolerant taxa (few at fresh sites, large numbers at Austrochiltonia (few at fresh sites, Austrochiltonia (few at fresh sites, and Unionicolidae saline sites), Cherax destructor; large numbers at saline sites), large numbers at saline sites), (Koenikea);Crustacea Coleoptera Scirtidae (often large Cherax destructor; Coleoptera Cherax destructor; Coleoptera Austrochiltonia (few at fresh numbers at upwelling zones), low Scirtidae (often large numbers at Scirtidae (often large numbers at sites, large numbers at saline numbers more saline tolerant beetles upwelling zones), low numbers upwelling zones), low numbers sites), Cherax destructor; at freshwater sites such as Limnoxenus more saline tolerant beetles at more saline tolerant beetles at Coleoptera Limnoxenus zealandicus, Nectrosoma penicillatus, freshwater sites such as freshwater sites such as zealandicus, Nectrosoma Sphercheus; Hemiptera often several Limnoxenus zealandicus, Limnoxenus zealandicus, penicillatus, Sphercheus; genera present including Micronecta, Nectrosoma penicillatus, Nectrosoma penicillatus, Hemiptera Micronecta,
13 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Range
Very Good Good Fair Poor
Agraptocorixa, Anisops, Sphercheus; Hemiptera often Sphercheus; Hemiptera Agraptocorixa, Anisops; Microvelia;Diptera Stratiomyidae, several genera present including Micronecta, Agraptocorixa, Diptera Stratiomyidae, Dixidae Dixidae (brackish sites); Culicidae Micronecta, Agraptocorixa, Anisops; Diptera Stratiomyidae, (brackish sites); Culicidae Anopheles; Ceratopogonidae; Anisops, Microvelia; Diptera Dixidae (brackish sites); Culicidae Anopheles; Ceratopogonidae Chironomidae (Procladius, Cricotopus, Stratiomyidae, Dixidae (brackish Anopheles; Ceratopogonidae (large numbers at saline sites Chironomus); Odonata Hemianax sites); Culicidae Anopheles; (large numbers at saline sites with with large algal growths); papuensis, Diplacodes haematodes, Ceratopogonidae; Chironomidae large algal growths); Chironomidae (Procladius, Hemicodulia tau; Trichoptera (Procladius, Cricotopus, Chironomidae (Procladius, Cricotopus, Chironomus); Triplectides australis Chironomus); Odonata Hemianax Cricotopus, Chironomus); Odonata Hemianax papuensis, papuensis, Diplacodes Odonata Hemianax papuensis, Hemicodulia tau; Trichoptera
haematodes, Hemicodulia tau; Diplacodes haematodes, Triplectides australis; Fish Trichoptera Triplectides australis Hemicodulia tau; Trichoptera hardyhead species (saline sites Triplectides australis; Fish only)
hardyhead species (saline sites only)
Attribute 6 Fish None present Fish Gambusia. Past sampling in Fish Gambusia (possibly many). Fish Gambusia (possibly Non-endemic or the region has included small Past sampling in the region has many). Past sampling in the introduced taxa numbers of two introduced snails included small numbers of two region has included small (Potamopyrgus antipodarum and introduced snails (Potamopyrgus numbers of two introduced Physa acuta) and a nemertean antipodarum and Physa acuta) snails (Potamopyrgus that may also be an introduced and a nemertean that may also be antipodarum and Physa acuta) species. Note also that the yabby an introduced species. Note also and a nemertean that may also may not naturally occur in the that the yabby may not naturally be an introduced species. Note region but has been included in occur in the region but has been also that the yabby may not
the table above as a tolerant included in the table above as a naturally occur in the region but taxon. tolerant taxon. has been included in the table above as a tolerant taxon.
14 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Ranges
Table 4 List of biota expected to occur for each rating in the western side of Lake Eyre Basin 2012 Streams in an Excellent condition probably no longer occur in the region and would be expected to support some sensitive and rare species, similar to sites in Very Good condition, but have no introduced species present. Similarly, streams in Very Poor condition would not be expected to occur due to the absence of large cropping or irrigated agricultural disturbance or urban centres; although may occur if a major contaminant spill occurred from a tailings dam from a mine or accident involving a tanker. Very poor sites would be expected to only include a few tolerant species and have water quality too poor to support fish. The region lacks any stoneflies and flow-dependent species due to the lack of permanent, flowing water habitats and ephemeral nature of many of the waterholes that occur in the LEB. Note that * is used to designate taxa that frequent temporary water habitats.
Very Good Good Fair Poor
Attribute 1* Hydracarina Unionicola, Limnesia; Hydracarina Unionicola, Limnesia; Hydracarina Unionicola, Limnesia, Hydracarina Eylais (rare in region Rare and/or regionally Diptera Coelopynia pruinosa, Crustacea Conchostraca*; Eylais; Crustacea Conchostraca*; but typically occur in waterholes endemic Paraborniella*; Coleoptera Diptera Coelopynia pruinosa, Diptera Coelopynia pruinosa, covered in filamentous algae); Dineutus Paraborniella*; Coleoptera Paraborniella*; Coleoptera Dineutus Crustacea Conchostraca*
Dineutus
Attribute 2. Sensitive, Regionally rare freshwater species Regionally rare freshwater species Regionally rare freshwater species None expected to be present due rare or vulnerable include: Hydrozoa Hydra; include: Hydrozoa Hydra; include: Hydrozoa Hydra; to combined effects of gross specialist taxa with Coleoptera Necterosoma dispar; Coleoptera Necterosoma dispar; Coleoptera Necterosoma dispar; nutrient enrichment and narrow environmental Diptera Larsia, Nanocladius; Diptera Larsia, Nanocladius; Diptera Larsia, Nanocladius; salinisation requirements Trichoptera Oecetis, Lectrides Trichoptera Oecetis, Lectrides Trichoptera Oecetis, Lectrides
Attribute 3. Sensitive, Ephemeroptera Cloeon (often in Ephemeroptera Cloeon, Ephemeroptera Cloeon, None likely to be present ubiquitous taxa large numbers) Tasmanocoenis; Tasmanocoenis; both taxa Tasmanocoenis; both taxa indicators both taxa indicators of permanent, indicators of permanent, of permanent, freshwater habitats in
freshwater habitats in the region freshwater habitats in the region the region
15 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Range
Very Good Good Fair Poor
Attribute 4 Mollusca Ferrissia, Glyptophysa; Mollusca Ferrissia, Glyptophysa; Mollusca Ferrissia, Glyptophysa; Mollusca Ferrissia, Glyptophysa; Opportunistic or Decapoda Macrobrachium; Decapoda Macrobrachium; Decapoda Macrobrachium; Decapoda Macrobrachium; generalist taxa Coleoptera typically more than 5 Coleoptera typically 3–5 genera; Coleoptera typically 2 or 3 genera; Coleoptera typically less than 2 genera; Diptera rich diversity of Diptera Chironomidae (usually at Diptera Chironomidae (usually at genera including Necterosoma Chironomidae (3 subfamilies least 2 subfamilies present and least 2 subfamilies present and penicillatus at saline sites; Diptera typically present and include more include more than 5 genera); include more than 3 genera); Chironomidae (often 2 subfamilies than 7 genera); Odonata Odonata Coenagrionidae, Odonata Coenagrionidae, present and include less than 3 Coenagrionidae Hemicordulia, Hemicordulia, Orthetrum, Hemicordulia, Orthetrum, genera); Odonata Hemicordulia; Orthetrum Aeschnidae; Aeschnidae; Trichoptera Aeschnidae; Trichoptera Trichoptera Triplectides australis Trichoptera Triplectides australis, Triplectides australis, Ecnomus Triplectides australis, Ecnomus spp. (not found highly saline sites) Ecnomus spp. spp.
Attribute 5 Turbellaria; Diptera Culicidae Turbellaria; Diptera Culicidae Turbellaria; Diptera Culicidae Turbellaria; Diptera Culicidae Tolerant taxa Anopheles, Ceratopogonidae; Anopheles, Ceratopogonidae; Anopheles, Ceratopogonidae; Anopheles, Ceratopogonidae; Hemiptera Micronecta; Hemiptera Micronecta; Hemiptera Micronecta; Hemiptera Micronecta;
Agraptocorixa, Anisops; Fish Agraptocorixa, Anisops; Fish Agraptocorixa, Anisops; Fish Agraptocorixa, Anisops; Fish Banded Grunter, Desert Goby, Banded Grunter, Desert Goby, Banded Grunter, Desert Goby, Banded Grunter, Desert Goby, hardyhead species; Zooplankton hardyhead species; Zooplankton hardyhead species; Zooplankton hardyhead species; Zooplankton Copepods and cladocerans Copepods, cladocerans and Copepods, cladocerans and typically limited to variable abundant and typically in 1000s ostracods in large numbers, ostracods in large numbers, typically numbers of ostracods in more typically up to 1000s in 100s to 1000s ephemeral, saline sites
Attribute 6 Fish Goldfish (widespread Fish Goldfish (widespread Fish Goldfish (widespread Fish Goldfish (widespread Non-endemic or introduced species not collected in introduced species not collected in introduced species not collected in introduced species not collected in introduced taxa 2012) 2012) 2012) 2012)
16 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Ranges
Table 5 List of biota expected to occur for each rating in the eastern side of Lake Eyre Basin 2012
Streams in an Excellent condition probably no longer occur in the region and would be expected to support some sensitive and rare species, similar to sites in Very Good condition, but have no introduced species present. Similarly, streams in very poor condition would not be expected to occur due to the absence of large cropping or irrigated agricultural disturbance or urban centres; although may occur if a major contaminant spill occurred from a tailings dam from a mine or accident involving a tanker. Very Poor sites would be expected to only include a few tolerant species and have water quality too poor to support fish. The region lacks any stoneflies and no flow-dependent species were recorded due to the lack of permanent, flowing water habitats and ephemeral nature of many of the waterholes that typically occur in the LEB.
Very Good Good Fair Poor
Attribute 1 Hydracarina Unionicola, Limnesia; Hydracarina Unionicola, Limnesia; Hydracarina Unionicola, Limnesia, Hydracarina Arrenuridae Rare and/or regionally Mollusca Centrapala, Thiaridae; Mollusca Centrapala, Thiaridae; Arrenuridae (ephemeral sites); (ephemeral sites) endemic Diptera Coelopynia pruinosa, Diptera Coelopynia pruinosa, Mollusca Centrapala, Thiaridae;
Harnischia; Ephemeroptera Harnischia; Ephemeroptera Diptera Coelopynia pruinosa,
Wundacaenis Wundacaenis Harnischia
Attribute 2 None present None present None present None present Sensitive, rare or vulnerable specialist taxa with narrow environmental requirements
Attribute 3 Ephemeroptera Cloeon (often in Ephemeroptera Cloeon and Ephemeroptera Cloeon and Ephemeroptera Cloeon and Sensitive, ubiquitous large numbers), Tasmanocoenis; Tasmanocoenis; both taxa Tasmanocoenis; both taxa indicators Tasmanocoenis, if present, in very taxa both taxa indicators of permanent, indicators of permanent, of permanent, freshwater habitats in low numbers freshwater habitats in the region freshwater habitats in the region the region
17 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Range
Very Good Good Fair Poor
Attribute 4 Mollusca Ferrissia, Glyptophysa, Mollusca Ferrissia, Glyptophysa, Mollusca Ferrissia, Glyptophysa, Mollusca Ferrissia, Glyptophysa, Opportunistic or Corbiculina; Decapoda Corbiculina; Decapoda Corbiculina; Decapoda Corbiculina; Decapoda generalist taxa Macrobrachium; Coleoptera Macrobrachium; Coleoptera Macrobrachium; Coleoptera typically Macrobrachium; Coleoptera typically more than 5 genera; typically at least 3–5 genera; at least 2 or 3 genera; Diptera typically less than 2 genera; Diptera rich diversity of Diptera Chironomidae (usually at Chironomidae (usually at least Diptera Chironomidae (often Chironomidae (3 subfamilies least 2 subfamilies present and 2 subfamilies present and include 2 subfamilies present and include typically present and include more include more than 5 genera); more than 3 genera); Odonata less than 3 genera); Odonata than 5 genera); Odonata Odonata Coenagrionidae, Coenagrionidae, Gomphidae; Coenagrionidae; Trichoptera Coenagrionidae, Gomphidae; Gomphidae; Trichoptera Trichoptera Triplectides australis, Triplectides australis Trichoptera Triplectides australis, Triplectides australis, Ecnomus Ecnomus Ecnomus
Attribute 5 Diptera Culicidae Anopheles, Diptera Culicidae Anopheles, Diptera Culicidae Anopheles, Diptera Culicidae Anopheles, Tolerant taxa Ceratopogonidae; Hemiptera Ceratopogonidae; Hemiptera Ceratopogonidae; Hemiptera Ceratopogonidae; Hemiptera Micronecta; Agraptocorixa, Micronecta; Agraptocorixa, Micronecta; Agraptocorixa, Anisops, Micronecta; Agraptocorixa,
Anisops, Sigara, Microvelia, Anisops, Sigara, Microvelia, Sigara, Microvelia, Enithares; Fish Anisops, Sigara, Microvelia, Enithares; Fish hardyhead species Enithares; Fish hardyhead species hardyhead species (low numbers); Enithares; Fish hardyhead species (low numbers); Zooplankton (low numbers); Zooplankton Zooplankton Copepods, (low numbers); Zooplankton Copepods and cladocerans Copepods, cladocerans and cladocerans and ostracods in large typically limited to variable abundant and typically in 1000s ostracods in large numbers numbers numbers of ostracods in more ephemeral, saline sites
Attribute 6 Fish Gambusia Fish Gambusia Fish Gambusia Fish Gambusia Non-endemic or introduced taxa
18 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Ranges 2012 results
Table 6 Condition ratings given by four panel members and final averall rating assigned for each of the 65 sites sampled from the Flinders Ranges and Lake Eyre Basin in 2012
Habitat descriptions: E = edge, R = riffle, ns = not sampled. For example the annotation ER, Dry indicates an edge and riffle were sampled in autumn but the site was dry in spring.
Site name NRM/site code Habitats Very Good Fair Poor Final Good Rating
Willow Creek, near Willow N&Y/FR20 Dry, Dry 3 1 Very Good Waters
Oraparinna Creek, Dingly SAAL/FR23 Dry, Dry 3 1 Very Good Dell
Tributary of Oratunga SAAL/FR35 Dry, Dry 3 1 Very Good Creek, First Spring
Tributary of Oratunga SAAL/FR36 ER, Dry 3 1 Very Good Creek, Snob's Hut Spring
Balcanoona Creek, Grindell SAAL/FR39 Dry, ns 3 1 Very Good Hut Spring
Yardaparinna Creek, SAAL/WLEB30 E, ns 3 1 Very Good Macumba
Kanyaka Creek, Kanyaka N&Y/FR17 E, E 4 Good Gauge Station
Pekina Creek, downstream N&Y/FR27 E, E 3 1 Good from Pekina Reservoir
Mount Remarkable Creek, N&Y/FR32 Dry, Dry 3 1 Good Mt Remarkable National Park
Arkaroola Creek, SAAL/FR15 ER, E 4 Good Nooldoonooldoona Waterhole
Arkaroola Creek, Stubbs SAAL/FR7 E, E 4 Good Waterhole
Artimore Creek, Nildottie SAAL/FR3 E, E 1 3 Good Spring
Balcanoona Creek, SAAL/FR5 Dry, Dry 2 2 Good Balcanoona
Balcanoona Creek, SAAL/FR9 E, E 2 2 Good Weetootla Campground
Eregunda Creek, Eregunda SAAL/FR13 ER, ER 4 Good Spring
Italowie Creek, Italowie Gap SAAL/FR2 Dry, Dry 1 3 Good
19 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Range
Site name NRM/site code Habitats Very Good Fair Poor Final Good Rating
Munyallina Creek, SAAL/FR1 ER, Dry 1 3 Good Munyallina Spring
Paralana Creek, Paralana SAAL/FR8 ER, ns 1 2 1 Good Hot Springs
Wilpena Creek, Wilpena SAAL/FR6 Dry, Dry 4 Good Pound
Yadnapunda Creek, SAAL/FR10 Dry, Dry 4 Good Matthewson Spring
Cooper Creek, Cullyamurra SAAL/ELEB12 ns, E 3 1 Good Waterhole
Cooper Creek, Innamincka SAAL/ELEB13 ns, E 4 Good
Warburton Creek, SAAL/ELEB18 ns, E 3 1 Good Yelpawaralinna Waterhole
Diamantina River, Birdsville SAAL/ELEB26 ns, E 3 1 Good Gauge Station
Cooper Creek, King's SAAL/ELEB27 ns, E 4 Good Marker Waterhole
Cooper Creek, Scrubby SAAL/ELEB31 ns, E 1 3 Good Camp Waterhole
Diamantina River, Pandie SAAL/ELEB5 ns, E 3 1 Good Pandie Waterhole
Warburton Creek, Cowarie SAAL/ELEBCC ns, E 4 Good Crossing Waterhole
Brachina Creek, Brachina SAAL/FR24 ER, E 4 Good Gorge
Parachilna Creek, Mount SAAL/FR26 ER, ER 3 1 Good Mary
Bunyeroo Creek, Bunyeroo SAAL/FR30 Dry, Dry 2 2 Good Gorge
Puttapa Creek, Puttapa SAAL/FR38 ER,E 3 1 Good Springs
Weetootla Creek, Weetootla SAAL/FR41 ns, E 1 2 1 Good Gorge
Hamilton Creek, Ethawarra SAAL/WLEB1 E, ns 3 1 Good Waterhole
Neales Creek, Stewart SAAL/WLEB10 E, ns 3 1 Good
20 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Ranges
Site name NRM/site code Habitats Very Good Fair Poor Final Good Rating Waterhole
Lindsay Creek, Eringa SAAL/WLEB21 E, ns 2 2 Good Waterhole
Neales Creek, Hookeys SAAL/WLEB22 E, ns 4 Good Waterhole
Coongra Creek, Road SAAL/WLEB25 E, ns 2 2 Good Crossing
Spring Creek, near N&Y/FR18 E, Dry 2 1 1 Fair Wilmington
Willochra Creek, N&Y/FR19 E, E 3 1 Fair Partacoona
Beautiful Valley Creek, near N&Y/FR33 Dry, Dry 2 1 1 Fair Horrock's Pass
Willochra Creek, N&Y/FR34 E, E 1 3 Fair downstream from junction with Castle Springs
Wirreanda Creek, near N&Y/FR37 Dry, Dry 2 2 Fair Springfield
Baratta Creek, Baratta SAAL/FR11 E, E 1 3 Fair Springs
Mount Chambers Creek, Mt SAAL/FR4 ER, E 4 Fair Chambers Gorge
Reedy Creek, Reedy SAAL/FR12 E, E 1 3 Fair Springs
Wirrealpa Creek, Wirrealpa SAAL/FR14 E, Dry 1 3 Fair Spring
Cooper Creek, Minkie SAAL/ELEB11 ns, E 2 2 Fair Waterhole
Cooper Creek, Embarka SAAL/ELEB14 ns, E 2 2 Fair Waterhole
Cooper Creek, Coongie SAAL/ELEB16 ns, E 1 3 Fair Crossing Waterhole
Derwent Creek, Mungeranie SAAL/ELEB19 ns, E 1 3 Fair Waterhole
Diamantina River, Clifton SAAL/ELEB28 ns, E 2 2 Fair Hills Outstation Waterhole
Derwent Creek, Cowarie SAAL/ELEB29 ns, E 1 3 Fair Waterhole
21 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Range
Site name NRM/site code Habitats Very Good Fair Poor Final Good Rating
Cooper Creek, Kudramitchie SAAL/ELEB8 ns, E 2 2 Fair Waterhole
Hookina Creek, Mayo SAAL/FR21 E, E 4 Fair Gorge Waterhole
Aroona Creek, downstream SAAL/FR22 E, E 1 3 Fair from Aroona Dam
Tributary of Oratunga SAAL/FR25 E, E 1 3 Fair Creek, Third Spring
Nilpena Creek, Nilpena SAAL/FR31 E, ER 1 3 Fair
Nepourie Creek, Nepourie SAAL/FR40 E, Dry 1 1 2 Fair Spring
Woolridge Creek, SAAL/WLEB3 E, ns 4 Fair Murdarinna Waterhole
Neekena Creek, Winkies SAAL/WLEB4 E, ns 1 3 Fair Waterhole
Wild Dog Creek, north from N&Y/FR28 Dry, Dry 2 1 Poor/ Poor Murray Town 1 Very Poor
Pekina Creek, Pekina N&Y/FR29 Dry, Dry 2 2 Poor
Neales Creek, Algebuckina SAAL/WLEB23 E, ns 1 1 2 Poor Waterhole
Peake Creek, Peake SAAL/WLEB24 E, ns 1 3 Poor Crossing
The results provided in Table 6 can be summarised by condition rating and NRM region and are presented in Table 7.
Table 7 Summary of condition assessment
Condition rating NYNRM sites SAALNRM sites Total number of sites
Excellent 0 0 0
Very Good 1 5 6
Good 3 29 32
Fair 5 18 23
Poor 2 2 4
Very Poor 0 0 0
The sites that were assigned the Very Good rating included Willow Creek (FR20) from the N&YNRM region, and Oraparinna Creek (FR23), tributaries of Oratunga Creek at both First Spring (FR35) and Snob’s Hut Spring (FR36), Balcanoona Creek at Grindell’s Hut Spring (FR39) from the Flinders Ranges and Yardaparinna Creek (LEB30) from the
22 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Ranges
Western Lake Eyre Basin within the SAAL NRM region. Most of these sites were dry and rated highly due to the good habitat structure provided by the surrounding riparian vegetation and sediment composition, and lacked evidence of large numbers of stock or feral animals visiting each waterway. The exceptions included Snob’s Hut Spring site which had riffle and pool habitats in autumn but was dry in spring and Yardaparinna Creek site which had shallow pool habitats when sampled in autumn.
The Poor sites included two dry streams from cleared agricultural country in the upper Willochra catchment (Wild Dog Creek (FR28) and Pekina Creek near Raval (FR29)) and two Western Lake Eyre Basin sites that had only a few aquatic species present and appeared to be significantly affected by nutrients [Neales Creek, Algebuckina Waterhole (LEB23)] and/or high salinity (Peake Creek LEB24).
The majority of sites were assigned to the Good or Fair category and showed slight to moderate nutrient enrichment effects during at least one of the sampling periods sampled. It should be noted that a central assumption of the conceptual models for each region was that high levels of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus originated from human activities in each catchment rather than from some unknown natural source (eg NLWRA 2001 and SAAL NRM 2010); this is consistent with the general poor nutrient status of ancient Australian soils and the need for arid-zone plants to conserve and recycle nutrients rather than allow the regular export of nutrients from the terrestrial landscape into a waterway where the nutrients may be deposited tens to hundreds of kilometres away. Consequently, it was assumed that historical and present stock and feral animal grazing landuses and cropping activities in some upper catchment streams contributed towards the high concentrations of nutrients in water samples taken from many sites in the Flinders Ranges and Lake Eyre Basin and/or led to obvious enrichment effects such as large growths of phytoplankton, filamentous algae or aquatic plants.
Under such conditions, a more generalist assemblage of aquatic macroinvertebrates capable of exploiting the resulting high plant productivity and tolerating occasional lowering of oxygen levels when plants die and decay would be expected to dominate in-stream aquatic habitats. In contrast, few sensitive or rare habitat specialists would be expected to occur and would certainly not dominate aquatic communities. These nutrient enrichment responses were subsequently incorporated into the conceptual models to represent the commonly described patterns that have regularly been described in the scientific literature for over 100 years.
Similarly, the models assumed that high salinity has been exacerbated by historical disturbances to vegetation changes associated with human cropping and grazing practices in the Willochra catchment and some parts of the Western Lake Eyre Basin. High salinity has also been recognised as a major driver for limiting aquatic communities to only the most salt tolerant species, particularly when salinities exceed 5,000 mg/L (eg Nielsen et al 2008; Kefford et al 2011). It is possible that some streams in the Flinders Ranges and Far North, particularly the lower reaches of the Willochra Creek, may have approached or exceeded this general threshold prior to European settlement but it was assumed as part of this assessment that the extensive landuse changes brought about by farming practices in the past has mobilised more salt into each affected stream than would have occurred if the landscape had remained unchanged.
Further work is needed to confirm if these assumptions are appropriate or whether the conceptual models developed as part of this assessment should be amended. Targeted studies of historical diatom assemblages in sediment cores taken from selected in-stream waterholes in each region may provide the best means of confirming whether there has been an increase in the frequency and dominance of nutrient-favouring species and/or saline tolerant species since European settlement, or whether diatom communities have remained largely unchanged over the past few hundred years.
If increasing nutrient and salinity levels are evident then further work could be directed towards reviewing and possibly refining the thresholds used in the conceptual models (eg enrichment evident when 100m area of site has >10% macrophytes and/or >35% filamentous algae when nutrient concentrations are >1 mg/L nitrogen and >0.1 mg/L phosphorus; refer to Table 8 for a simple statistical breakdown of the nutrient and phytoplankton algal indicators from the data collected in 2012 which demonstrates that Lake Eyre Basin streams are more enriched with nutrients than Flinders Ranges streams. The table also includes simple descriptive ranges that were used in the site condition reports to distinguish low, moderate and high values relating to general water chemistry and algae). Alternatively, if salinity and nutrient changes are not supported further work is needed to clarify the source and movement of these chemicals into waters because they still have the potential to degrade aquatic habitats whenever they occur in high concentrations.
23 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Range
Finally, it should be noted that the ratings for the dry sites in particular, may vary when water is present but this should be considered within the broader context of the variability that will occur in any arid-zone stream in response to differences in the frequency and timing of floods and droughts, differences in the distribution and abundance of stock and feral animals, and other biological, chemical and physical habitat changes that can undoubtedly occur both seasonally and annually. Despite this, the ratings assigned in this report provide an accurate condition assessment of sites sampled in 2012 using the conceptual models that were specifically developed for both the Flinders Ranges and Lake Eyre Basin areas.
Variability in panel member ratings
The results in Table 6 show that the panel members assigned the same condition rating to 14 sites and differed by one rating class of each other for another 45 sites, indicating that there was considerable consistency for rating 91 percent of the sampled sites. The results for the remaining six sites were, however, more variable with the panel assigning three possible ratings to two sites from the N&YNRM region and four sites from the SAALNRM region; this indicates that the conceptual models may require further modifications to remove possible ambiguity between some of the response measures or panel members inconsistently applied some of the criteria in assigning ratings for some sites.
Given the variability of stream types across each region (eg differences in the presence of water and flowing habitats, seasonal differences in hydrology, variable salinity patterns and climatic influences), it would be unrealistic to expect to see complete agreement in rating sites using an expert panel approach or indeed any other means of integrating and reporting on measures of stream condition (eg indices or models based on the reference-based concept, gradients, comparisons against guidelines), largely because of the boundary or edge effects that invariably occur whenever environmental data is grouped using what are typically simple algorithms and associated criteria.
24 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Ranges
Table 8 Nutrient and phytoplankton statistics from sites sampled in 2012. Chlorophyll units in µg/L but other parameters in mg/L
Parameters General statistics for sites sampled from the Flinders Ranges (FR), Western Lake Possible simple descriptive criteria Eyre Basin (WLEB) and Eastern Lake Eyre Basin (ELEB) Mean Standard Median 25th 75th Maximum Minimum Low Medium High (>75th Deviation percentile percentile (0–median) (median–75th percentile) percentile) FR (n=47) Chlorophyll a 3.76 4.93 1.91 0.63 4.79 24.00 0.10 0-2 2-5 5+ Chlorophyll b 0.62 0.51 0.47 0.24 0.75 1.92 0.00 NOx 0.31 1.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 6.23 0.00 TN 0.95 1.16 0.58 0.32 1.11 6.45 0.10 0-0.6 0.6–1 1+ TKN 0.64 0.75 0.40 0.27 0.78 4.94 0.09 TP 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.04 0.17 0.01 0-0.02 0.02–0.04 0.04+ WLEB (n=10) Chlorophyll a 18.87 24.59 9.45 5.44 16.80 82.00 3.16 0-10 10–17 17+ Chlorophyll b 1.95 2.52 1.18 0.52 1.36 7.62 0.10 NOx 0.02 0.03 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.08 0.00 TN 1.68 0.67 1.45 1.29 2.03 2.76 0.66 0-1.5 1.5–2 2+ TKN 1.67 0.67 1.43 1.28 2.01 2.76 0.66 TP 0.10 0.06 0.09 0.06 0.13 0.24 0.04 0-0.1 0.1–0.13 0.13+ ELEB (n=15) Chlorophyll a 18.02 15.45 10.80 8.27 26.60 51.80 2.79 0-11 11–27 27+ Chlorophyll b 2.33 2.77 1.24 0.64 2.92 8.56 0.00 NOx 0.51 0.46 0.40 0.08 0.80 1.28 0.01 TN 2.95 1.19 2.81 2.32 3.35 5.19 0.75 0–2.8 2.8–3.4 3.4+ TKN 2.44 1.22 2.05 1.75 2.63 5.18 0.74 TP 0.56 0.27 0.53 0.45 0.64 1.15 0.07 0–0.5 0.5–0.6 0.6+
25 2012 panel assessment of creeks and rivers in Lake Eyre Basin and Flinders Ranges
References
Catchment Simulations Solutions 2011, Spatially balanced sampling site selection for streams in South Australia: Pilot project for Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges region, unpublished report to the EPA, Revision 2.
Davies SP and SK Jackson 2006, ‘The biological condition gradient: a descriptive model for interpreting change in aquatic ecosystems’, Ecological Applications, Volume 16, pp 1251-1266.
Kefford BJ, Marchant R, Schafer RB, Metzeling L, Dunlop JE, Choy SC and P Goonan (2011), ‘The definition of species richness used by species sensitivity distributions approximates observed effects of salinity on stream macroinvertebrates’, Environmental Pollution ,Volume 159, pp. 302–310.
National Land and Water Resources Audit 2001, Nutrient balance in regional farming systems and soil nutrient status, Final report NLWRA.
Nielsen, DL, Brock MA, Vogel M and R Petrie 2008, ‘From fresh to saline: a comparison of zooplankton and plant communities developing under a gradient of salinity with communities developing under constant salinity levels’, Marine and Freshwater Research, Volume 59, pp. 549–559.
South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board 2010, Regional natural resources management plan for the SA arid lands natural resources management region, Volume 1 Ten-year Strategic Plan, SAAL NRM, Adelaide.
Disclaimer
This publication is a guide only and does not necessarily provide adequate information in relation to every situation. This publication seeks to explain your possible obligations in a helpful and accessible way. In doing so, however, some detail may not be captured. It is important, therefore, that you seek information from the EPA itself regarding your possible obligations and, where appropriate, that you seek your own legal advice.
Further information
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