Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program

Project Report 2007

Robert Cook, John Hawking & Chris Davey

A MDFRC Consultancy Report for the Murray Darling Basin Commission GPO, Box 409, Canberra ACT 2601 & Goulburn Murray Water Authority 40 Casey Street, Tatura Victoria 3616

1 A report prepared for:

Goulburn Murray Water Authority 40 Casey Street Tatura Victoria 3616

Murray Darling Basin Commission GPO Box 409 Canberra ACT 2601 Ph: (02) 6279 0553, Fax: (02) 6230 7579

This report was prepared by The Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre (MDFRC). The aim of the MDFRC is to provide the scientific knowledge necessary for the management and sustained utilisation of the Murray-Darling Basin water resources. The MDFRC is a joint venture between the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, La Trobe University and CSIRO (through its Division of Land and Water).

For further information contact:

John Hawking The Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre PO Box 991 Wodonga VIC 3689 Ph: (02) 60582300; Fax (02) 60597531

Citation: Report to Goulburn Murray Water and Murray Darling Basin Commission. Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre, Wodonga. Unpublished Report.Pp. 30.

Cover Images: John Hawking (MDFRC)

Disclaimer: The Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre (MDFRC) is a joint venture between the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, La Trobe University and CSIRO (through its Division of Land and Water). The material contained in this publication represents the opinion of the author only. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this publication is accurate, the author and MDFRC do not accept any liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising whether in contract, tort or otherwise which may be incurred by any person as a result of any reliance or use of any statement in this publication. The author and MDFRC do not give any warranties in relation to the accuracy, completeness and up to date status of the information in this publication.

Where legislation implies any condition or warranty which cannot be excluded restricted or modified such condition or warranty shall be deemed to be included provided that the author‟s and MDFRC‟s liability for a breach of such term condition or warranty is, at the option of MDFRC, limited to the supply of the services again or the cost of supplying the services again.

Copyright in this publication remains with the author. No part may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means without the prior permission of the author.

For more information about MDFRC visit www.mdfrc.org.au or for specific enquiries please send an email to [email protected]

2 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Table of contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

LIST OF FIGURES 5

LIST OF TABLES 6

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 7

RECOMMENDATIONS 9

1.0 INTRODUCTION 10

1.1 Project Aim 10

1.2 Specific objectives 10

2.0 STUDY AREA AND SITE DESCRIPTION 11

2.1 Study Area 11

2.2 Site Descriptions 13

3.0 SAMPLING METHODS 20

3.1 Flow Data 20

3.2 Physico-chemical Sampling 20

3.3 Water Chemistry Sampling 20

3.3.1 Nutrients and Ion Analysis Methods 21

3.4 Physical Habitat Description 22

3.5 Macroinvertebrate sampling 23

3.5.1 Edge habitats 23

3.5.2 Riffle habitats 23

3.6 Macroinvertebrate Laboratory Processing 24

3.7 QA/QC checks 24

3.8 Data Analysis 24

3.8.1 Water Quality 24

3.8.2 Macroinvertebrates 25

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 3 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007 4.0 RESULTS ...... 27

4.1 Discharge ...... 27

4.2 Water Quality...... 29

4.2.1 Physico-chemical ...... 29

4.2.2 Nutrients ...... 32

4.3 Macroinvertebrates ...... 34

4.3.1 Community structure analysis ...... 35

4.3.2 AusRivAs ...... 39

4.3.3 Signal...... 41

4.3.4 Number of families ...... 44

4.3.5 Number of key families ...... 46

4.3.6 EPT index ...... 47

5.0 DISCUSSION ...... 49

5.1 Discharge ...... 49

5.2 Water Quality...... 50

5.2.1 Physico-chemical ...... 50

5.2.2 Nutrients ...... 52

5.2.3 Summary of water quality ...... 52

5.3 Macroinvertebrates ...... 53

5.4 Conclusions ...... 56

6.0 REFERENCES ...... 57

7.0 APPENDICES ...... 59

Appendix I – Site species list and total number of distinct taxa...... 60

Appendix II – Number of distinct taxa within each family at each site...... 72

Appendix III – Simper analysis – Top 10 taxa discriminating between sites - Edge habitat ...... 76

Appendix IV – Simper analysis – Top 10 taxa discriminating between sites - Riffle habitat ...... 83

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 4 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

List of figures

Fig. 1 Map of the study sites ...... 12 Fig. 2 (a) Site 501, looking upstream from the bridge (b) Looking across the river...... 13 Fig. 3 (a) Site 502, looking upstream ...... 14 Fig. 4 (a) Site 503, looking downstream from Dartmouth Road bridge ...... 15 Fig. 5 (a) Site 504, looking downstream from the left bank ...... 16 Fig. 6 (a) Site 505. looking upstream ...... 17 Fig. 7 Site 506, looking upstream from road bridge ...... 18 Fig. 8 Site 507, looking upstream towards bridge crossing ...... 19 Fig. 9 Mean daily discharge for each month in the Mitta Mitta River at Colemans, Mitta Mitta River at Tallandoon and Snowy Creek at Granite Flat...... 28 Fig. 10 Physico-chemical values for each site on each sampling date ...... 31 Fig. 11 Nutrient values recorded for each site from spring 2005 to autumn 2007 ...... 33 Fig. 12 Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) of edge macroinvertebrate communites at each site ...... 38 Fig. 13 Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) of riffle macroinvertebrate communities at each site ...... 38 Fig. 14 AUSRIVAS scores for each site on each sampling occasion ...... 40 Fig. 15 Signal scores for each site on each sampling date ...... 43 Fig. 16 Number of families collected from each site on each sampling occasion ...... 45 Fig. 17 Number of key families collected at each site on each sampling occasion ...... 46 Fig. 18 Number of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) taxa collected at each site on each sampling occasion...... 48

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 5 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

List of tables

Table 1 Site 501 geographic location parameters ...... 13 Table 2 Site 502 geographic location parameters ...... 14 Table 3 Site 503 geographic location parameters ...... 15 Table 4 Site 504 geographic location parameters ...... 16 Table 5 Site 505 geographic location parameters ...... 17 Table 6 Site 506 geographic location parameters ...... 18 Table 7 Site 507 geographic location parameters ...... 19 Table 8 State Environment Protection Policy objectives for water quality and nutrients ...... 25 Table 9 State Environment Protection Policy biological objectives ...... 25 Table 10 AusRivAs bands and band widths for the Victorian Forests A (B2) bioregion combined season edge and riffle models ...... 26 Table 11 Signal bands classification ...... 26 Table 12 The season in which an edge sample was collected from each site in each year ...... 34 Table 13 The season in which a riffle sample was collected from each site in each year ...... 34 Table 14 Taxa diversity within each of the major taxonomic groups at each site...... 36 Table 15 ANOSIM results from multivariate statistical analysis of macroinvertebrate community structure differences between sites ...... 37 Table 16 Final AusRivAs band allocations for each site in each year based on the precautionary principle of allocating a site to the lowest of the band allocation from the edge and riffle band allocations. ... 41

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 6 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Executive summary

The Mitta Mitta Monitoring Project aims to monitor river health in the Mitta Mitta River below Dartmouth Dam. It attempts to detect and assess potential changes in aspects of water quality and the macroinvertebrate communties, resulting from either the operation of Dartmouth Dam or local catchment related impacts. The Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program commenced in 1998 to monitor the macroinvertebrate communities in the Mitta Mitta River below Dartmouth Dam. Initially the project was conducted by Water ECO science Pty Ltd and ran from 1998 to autumn 2005. The Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre has continued the project from spring 2005 to present. This report, prepared by the MDFRC, presents the findings from the data collected from spring 2002 through to autumn 2007.

The study was conducted in the section of the Mitta Mitta River below Dartmouth Dam to Tallandoon. Three unregulated tributaries, Snowy Creek, Mt Wills Creek and Watchingorra Creek (previously called Callaghans Creek) were also sampled to provide a comparison between the regulated Mitta Mitta River and the unregulated streams. Sampling was performed in accordance with the standard procedures outlined in the bioasssessment manual (EPA, 2003a). Water quality was assessed in accordance with the Victorian EPA‟s State of the Environment Protection Policy document (SEPP) water quality and nutrient objectives (EPA, 203b, c). Macroinvertebrates were assessed using Rapid Bioassessment Methods and analysed using a number of biotic indices (AusRivAs, SIGNAL, number of Families, number of key Families and EPT scores) and assessed in accordance with the Victorian EPA SEPP biological objectives (EPA, 2004).

In most cases physicochemical parameters meet the SEPP objectives (EPA, 2003b, c) and are in general of no concern. Instream flow conditions, climate and catchment characteristic and associated landuse appear to be having an influence on some of the physicochemical parameters through its impact on instream processes, transport of solutes and entrainment of sediment. Turbidity was the parameter that was consistently above the SEPP (EPA, 2003b) objective and should be flagged for attention as part of this monitoring project.

Nutrient levels were mostly within the SEPP (EPA, 2003c) objectives at all Mitta Mitta sites and at two of the unregulated sites. Landuse and surrounding vegetation appear to be having an influence on instream nutrient levels. Elevated nutrients were present in Watchingorra Creek (Site 507) which has an extensively cleared catchment with a surrounding land use of diary and beef production.

The macroinvertebrate community of the Mitta Mitta River immediately below Dartmouth Dam is

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 7 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007 substantially impaired, with a loss of taxa across a wide range of taxonomic groups. This impairment largely remains until the Mitta Mitta River/Snowy Creek confluence. Below this there is some recovery in the Mitta Mitta River such that by Site 504 the SEPP (EPA, 2004) objectives are mostly met and the AUSRIVAS model rates the site as equivalent to reference, in three of the five years. The Snowy Creek provides a source of macroinvertebrates for recolonisation in the Mitta Mitta River and reinstates, to a small degree, some of the natural flow variability to the system. All of the unregulated streams had much higher biodiversity, and rated much higher with respect to the SEPP objectives than any of the Mitta Mitta sites. Of the unregulated streams Watchingorra Creek had the highest number of taxa. However many of these were from pollution tolerant groups and lacked several taxa from sensitive groups, a probable response to mild organic pollution due to the surrounding landuse. Both Snowy Creek and Mt Wills Creek are from largely undisturbed catchments and rated well above the SEPP objectives for almost all indices.

Water quality does not appear to be a major driver of the loss of biological condition in the Miita Mitta River as in most cases the SEPP (EPA, 2003b, c) are met or nearly so. The operation of Dartmouth Dam and subsequent irrigation releases over the summer/autumn period and low winter spring flows are the most likely cause of the reduced biological condition. Macroinvertebrate have lifehistories linked to the natural flow regime and the loss of this will interfere with their lifecycle and habitat requirements.

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 8 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007 Recommendations

By the end of 2007 the MMMP will have been conducted over a ten year time period. The monitoring has been assessed mostly as a series of individual reports. It is suggested that the data from all the previous reports be combined and be reanalysised to form the basis of a ten year review. This resulting report would then provide an insight into the temporal and spatial pattern of the Mitta Mittta River over an extended period and value add to the current knowledge.

Several patterns are evident with the macroinvertebrate communities from Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program. Predominant among these is the recovery of the macroinvertebrate communities in the Mitta Mitta River below the confluence with the Snowy Creek and Watchingoora Creek. It has been consistently cited that the Snowy Creek and Watchingoora Creek are the reason for this recovery without any evidence to support this. We recommend that a study be initiated to investigate this and determine the recovery mechanisms.

The taxa diversity within the major Macroinvertebrate groups was substantially higher within the unregulated sites 505, 506 and 507. The MDFRC during the summer of 2007-2008 has conducted a “Summer Vactation project” investigating the “habitat requirements of Water Penny and Riffle beetles” at Site 505 on Snowy Creek. This may begin to shed light on why these two groups and perhaps others are absent from the Mitta Mitta River at Sites 501 and 502. It is suggested that this project be extended to include the other relevant Mitta Mitta sites.

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 9 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007 1.0 Introduction

The Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program commenced in 1998 to monitor the macroinvertebrate communities in the Mitta Mitta River and Snowy Creek. The initial survey was conducted by Water ECO science Pty Ltd from 1998 to Autumn2005. From spring 2005 the Murray Darling Freshwater research Centre continued the study. This report presents the findings from the data collected from spring 2002 through to autumn 2007. This report includes data from two additional sites on the Mt Wills Creek and Watchingorra Creek (previously called Callaghan Creek).

1.1 Project Aim

To monitor the macroinvertebrate communities in the Mitta Mitta River below Dartmouth Dam in order to detect and assess potential changes in river health resulting from either the operation of Dartmouth Dam (water quality, hydrology, physical habitat) or local catchment related impacts (water quality, hydrology, physical habitat). The project employs Rapid Bioassessment Methods.

1.2 Specific objectives

To undertake sampling for aquatic macroinvertebrate communities and water quality at four locations on the Mitta Mitta River below Dartmouth Dam using standardised qualitative sampling procedures outlined in “Rapid bioassessment methodology for rivers and streams” EPA (2003a) to monitor the biological health of the river below Dartmouth. In addition, one site on each of three reference streams, Snowy Creek, Mount Wills Creek and Watchingorra Creek, were sampled to enable comparison of the water quality and macroinverebrate communities with the Mitta Mitta River. Sampling was to be conducted twice yearly in spring and autumn. In-situ physicochemical data and water nutrient samples to be collected and assessed in relation to state of the environment protection policy (SEPP) objectives (EPA 2003b, 2003c) and physical habitat descriptions recorded for each sampling event. Macroinvertebrates were to be identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level, to generic/species level where possible and analysed in accordance with the SEPP objectives (EPA 2004). Perform a cross-check of 10% of samples for taxonomic QA/QC. Data to be stored on a specialised database maintained at MDFRC. The findings are to be reported in an annual report to Goulburn Murray Water and Murray Darling Basin Commission.

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 10 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007 2.0 Study area and site description

2.1 Study Area

The study includes the section of the Mitta Mitta River below Dartmouth Dam to Tallandoon and associated tributaries, Mt Wills Creek, Snowy Creek and Watchingorra Creek (previously called Callaghans Creek). Sampling was conducted at seven sites in total (Fig. 1). Four sites were located on the Mitta Mitta River below Dartmouth Dam, Sites 501 – 504. One site was located on each of three reference streams; Site 505 on Snowy Creek, 8 km south of the Mitta Mitta township on the Omeo Highway; Site 506 on Mount Wills Creek, a tributary of Snowy Creek, off Dunstans Track/Snowy Log Road,; and Site 507 on Watchingorra Creek off the Callaghan Creek Road.

Below Dartmouth Dam, Sites 501 and 502 on the Mitta Mitta River are upstream of any substantial tributary inputs. Watchingorra Creek and Snowy Creek enter the Mitta Mitta River between Site 502 and Site 503, so that the discharge at Site 501 and 502 is almost entirely under the influence of releases from Dartmouth Dam. Sites 503 and 504 have the summer discharge typically dominated by releases from Dartmouth Dam but with the winter/spring flows retaining some degree of natural variability due to inflows from Watchingorra and Snowy Creek. The Snowy, Mt Wills and Watchingorra Creek are unregulated streams and retain the natural flow variability.

The Mitta Mitta River downstream of Dartmouth Dam to site 502 flows through a steep sided valley with a surrounding dry Eucalyptus forest. The Mitta Mitta River at Sites 503 and 504 forms part of the lower section of the Mitta Mitta valley that has been extensively cleared for agriculture. Riparian vegetation at these sites has been widely cleared and is dominated by introduced Salix spp. (willows) and Eucalyptus calmaldulensis (river red gum). Site 507, while being on the smaller Watchingorra Creek, has very much the same riparian vegetation and surrounding land use as site 503 and 504. Sites 505 and 506 on the Snowy and Mt Wills Creek are within the foothill and upland area dominated by steep valleys and vegetated by dry Eucalypt forests. Riparian vegetation at these sites is dominated by Acacia spp, Leptospernum spp., Callistemon spp. and Eucalyptus spp.

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 11 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Fig. 1 Map of the study sites (DSE, 2007 - www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dse/dsencor.nsf/childdocs) (Scale 1:30000)

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 12 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

2.2 Site Descriptions

Site 501 This site is on the Mitta Mitta River 4km downstream of Dartmouth Dam, approximately 50 m upstream of the bridge on Horsfall Road. The substrate is primarily boulders/cobbles and stream depth and width varies greatly with short duration high flow releases from Dartmouth Dam. Adjacent vegetation is predominately open eucalypt forest with the riparian zone dominated by Callistemon spp (Bottlebrush).

Table 1: Site 501 geographic location parameters

Parameter Altitude (ASL) 320m Latitude 36°.5424 Longitude 147°.5008 Catchment Area (km²) 3561 Distance from source (km) 135.04 Stream width (m) 30

Fig. 2 (a) Site 501looking upstream from the bridge, bankfull September 2005; (b) Looking across the river from the pipe, low water, April 2006.

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 13 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Site 502 This site is on the Mitta Mitta River 9km downstream of Dartmouth Dam and 3 km downstream of Lake Banimboola, retention pondage. This section passes through a steep sided gorge and has a substrate predominately of boulders and cobble. The surrounding vegetation is open eucalypt forest with the understorey dominated by Leptospermum spp. (Tea tree), Callistemon spp. (Bottlebrush) and Acacia spp (Wattle).

Table 2: Site 502 geographic location parameters

Parameter Altitude (ASL) 300m Latitude 36.5153 Longitude 147.4349 Catchment Area (km²) 3634 Distance from source (km) 144.48 Stream width (m) 20

Fig. 3 (a) Site 502, looking upstream, September 2005

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 14 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Site 503 This site is on the Mitta Mitta River 16km downstream of Dartmouth Dam and approximately 3km downstream of Snowy Creek – Mitta Mitta River confluence. The site is 25m downstream of the bridge on the Omeo Highway – Dartmouth road. Substrate is primarily cobble and surrounding land is used for grazing cattle and made up of various pasture spp. Riparian vegetation is a mix of Salix spp. (willows), eucalypts and grasses.

Table 3: Site 503 geographic location parameters

Parameter Altitude (ASL) 260m Latitude 36.5202 Longitude 147.3703 Catchment Area (km²) 3890 Distance from source (km) 159.37 Stream width (m) 40

Fig. 4 (a) Site 503, looking downstream from Dartmouth Road bridge, September 2005

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 15 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Site 504 This site is on the Mitta Mitta River approximately 40km from Dartmouth Dam, 100m downstream of the picnic area located 1.5km upstream of Tallandoon. The substrate is predominately pebble/cobble and the stream divides to flow around an island that was used for periodic gravel extraction until 1996. Surrounding land is cleared and is used for grazing while the riparian zone is dominated by grasses and Salix spp. (willows).

Table 4 Site 504 geographic location parameters

Parameter Altitude (ASL) 230m Latitude 36.4393 Longitude 147.2033 Catchment Area (km²) 4716 Distance from source (km) 184.42 Stream width (m) 40

Fig. 5 (a) Site 504, looking downstream from the left bank, September 2005

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 16 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Site 505 This site is on the Snowy Creek about 8km upstream of the Mitta Mitta Township off the Omeo Highway and is one of the reference sites. The site is approximately 50m upstream of the West Branch Creek confluence. Substrate is predominately pebble/cobble and surrounding vegetation is open eucalypt forest. The riparian zone is made up of Leptospermum spp. (tea-tree), Acacia melanoxylon (blackwood) and Bedfordia arborescens (blanket leaf).

Table 5 Site 505 geographic location parameters

Parameter Altitude (ASL) 312m Latitude 36.5624 Longitude 147.4106 Catchment Area (km²) 407 Distance from source (km) 38.97 Stream width (m) 15

Fig. 6 (a) Site 505. looking upstream, September 2005

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 17 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Site 506 This site is a reference site on Mt Wills Creek 29km upstream of the Mitta Mitta Township, 20-30m upstream of the bridge on the Snowy Log Road and is one of the reference sites. The substrate is predominantly cobble/pebble and the surrounding vegetation is open eucalypt forest.

Table 6 Site 506 geographic location parameters

Parameter Altitude (ASL) 580m Latitude 36.7078 Longitude 147.4409 Catchment Area (km²) 45 Distance from source (km) 13.1 Stream width (m) 15

Fig. 7 Site 506, looking upstream from road bridge, September 2005

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 18 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Site 507 This site is a reference site on Watchingorra Creek (Callaghans Creek) and is approximately 1 km upstream of the confluence with the Mitta Mitta River off the Callaghan Creek Rd. The confluence of Watchingorra Creek with the Mitta Mitta River is approximately 19 Km downstream of Dartmouth Dam. The substrate is a mixture of cobble and gravel and the site is surrounded by adjacent grazing land. Riparian vegetation consists primarily of Salix spp. (willows) and grasses.

Table 7 Site 507 geographic location parameters

Parameter Altitude (ASL) 280m Latitude 36.5078 Longitude 147.4175 Catchment Area (km²) 102 Distance from source (km) 19.2 Stream width (m) 5

Fig. 8 Site 507, looking upstream towards bridge crossing, May 2006

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 19 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

3.0 Sampling Methods

The MDFRC began sampling from spring 2005. Prior to this sampling was conducted by WATER ECOScience, and the data and/or samples relating to the period from spring 2002 to autumn 2005 was supplied by WATER ECOScience. Sampling was in accordance with the standard procedures outlined in the bioasssessment manual (EPA, 2003a). Macroinvertebrates, physico-chemical parameters and habitat descriptions were collected from each site on each sampling occasion.

3.1 Flow Data

Daily mean flows were obtained for gauging stations at Colemans and Tallandoon on the Mitta Mitta River and from the station below Granite Flat, on the Snowy Creek for the period from January 2002 to June 2007 (see Fig. 1 for locations). This information was obtained from the DSE (Department of Sustainability and Environment) Victorian Water Resources Data Warehouse website. http://www.vicwaterdata.net/vicwaterdata/data_warehouse_content.aspx?option=5 and was supplied by Theiss Environmental services.

3.2 Physico-chemical Sampling Conductivity, pH, Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen and Turbidity were recorded at each site on each sampling trip using a Hydrolab sampler in accordance with EPA publication 441, (EPA, 2003a).

3.3 Water Chemistry Sampling All samples were taken in accordance with the AS/NZS 5667.1.1998 standard (Standards Association of Australia, 1998). Water samples for the following parameters were collected at each site on each sampling occasion:  Oxides of Nitrogen, Ammonia and Filterable reactive phosphorus: two 10 ml vials  Total nitrogen and total phosphorus: 1 * 250 ml PET jar  Alkalinity: 1 litre sample bottle

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 20 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

3.3.1 Nutrients and Ion Analysis Methods All analysis was carried out in the MDFRC NATA accredited analytical laboratory. The following methods were used:

Ammonia-Nitrogen Ammonia nitrogen present in the sample reacts with alkaline phenol and hypochlorite to produce indophenol blue. The blue colour is intensified with sodium nitroprusside, and its absorbance measured colorimetrically at a wavelength 630nm.

Oxides of Nitrogen Nitrate is reduced to nitrite by passing a buffered sample through a column of copper-coated cadmium. Total nitrite is then converted to the diazonium salt by reacting with sulfanilamide. The 4-sulfanilamide benzenediazonium chloride then couples with N-(1-naphthyl) ethylenediamine dihydrochloride to form a pink dye. Its absorbance is then measured colorimetrically at a wavelength of 520nm.

Filterable Reactive Phosphorus Orthophoshate present in the sample reacts with ammonium molybdate and potassium antimony tartrate in an acidic medium to form molybdophosphoric acid. This is reduced by ascorbic acid to give a molybdophosphoric blue complex, the absorbance of which is measured spectrophotometrically at 880nm.

Total Nitrogen Organic forms of nitrogen and ammonia present in the sample are digested in an alkaline solution of

NaOH-K2S2O8 and oxidised to form nitrate. Nitrate in the digestion sample is then reduced to nitrite by passing a buffered sample through a column of copper-coated cadmium. Total nitrite is then converted to the diazonium salt by reacting with sulfanilamide. The 4-sulfanilamide benzenediazonium chloride then couples with N-(1-naphthyl)ethylenediamine dihydrochloride to form a pink dye. Its absorbance is then measured colorimetrically at a wavelength of 520nm.

Total Phosphorus

Organic forms of phosphorus present in the sample are digested in an alkaline solution of NaOH-K2S2O8 and oxidised to form orthophosphate. Orthophoshate present in the sample then reacts with ammonium molybdate and potassium antimony tartrate in an acidic medium to form molybdophosphoric acid. This is reduced by ascorbic acid to give a molybdophosphoric blue complex, the absorbance of which is measured spectrophotometrically at 880nm.

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 21 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

3.4 Physical Habitat Description A physical habitat assessment was conducted at each site using physical habitat sheets recommended by the Victorian EPA and obtained from http://ausrivas.canberra.edu.au/Bioassessment/Macroinvertebrates/. Visual estimates are made of characteristics such as flow, substrate composition, aquatic, riparian and adjacent vegetation, instream organic material, area of aquatic habitats, canopy cover and channel pattern type. Determination of stream and channel width was acquired using either visual estimation or from 2007 using a range finder (Bushnell haser Vardagepro Sport 450).

Photographs At each site on each sampling occasion four photos were taken:  across and upstream from left and right banks at downstream end of reach  across and downstream from the left and right banks of upstream end of reach.

GPS coordinates Global Positioning System, Garmin Etrex, was used to determine Latitude and longitude coordinates using program GDA 94.

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 22 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

3.5 Macroinvertebrate sampling Macroinvertebrates were collected in riffle and edge habitats as set out in the EPA Publication 604.1. (EPA, 2003).

3.5.1 Edge habitats A total of 10 metres of the edge habitat was sampled so that each of the major littoral habitats; bare edge, macrophytes and snags, were sampled proportionally to their representation within the reach. A 250µm hand net was used to sweep through the water column in a manner that disturbed the substrate, dislodging the macroinvertebrates which were then collected in the net. Habitats sampled and sample depths were recorded using the AUSRIVAS datasheets.

Net contents were then emptied into a white sorting tray and animals hand picked for 30 minutes using forceps and pipettes. If any new taxa were recorded during the 25-30 minute period, picking continued for a further 10 minutes. If new taxa were found in this period picking continued in additional 10 minute blocks up to a maximum of 60 minutes. If less than 100 animals were collected in 30 minutes picking continued for an extra 10 minutes. If new taxa were found, picking continued as previously described. A maximum of 30 individuals of any single taxa were collected, with a minimum of 20-30 chironomids collected to represent the sub-families. Collected animals were preserved in 70% Ethanol for laboratory processing.

3.5.2 Riffle habitats Riffles may be described as a reach of stream that is characterized by shallow, fast moving water broken by the presence of rocks and boulders. Sites with an absence of riffles were sampled in accessible areas of greatest flow. Samples were collected using a 250µm mesh kick net, with the net held at right angles to the waters surface on the stream bed within the riffle area so that the water flowed into the net. The sampler placed their feet immediately in front of the net opening, the substrate was agitated by moving their feet and the dislodged material was washed into the net by the current. This process was conducted over 10 metres, moving steadily upstream and attempting to include a range of depths, current velocities and substrates so as to incorporate a number of different microhabitats. Substrate type and riffle depth were recorded using the AUSRIVAS datasheets. Animals were picked from the sample and preserved in the same manner outlined above for edge habitat.

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 23 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

3.6 Macroinvertebrate Laboratory Processing In the laboratory macroinvertebrates were sorted to Order level, using a Wild M3, Wild M8 or Zeiss stereomicroscope. They were then identified to lowest possible taxonomic level, mostly to species and generic level and associated abundances recorded. Where taxa couldn‟t be identified to species level, it was identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level, higher order groups included; Bryozoa, Nematoda, Nemertea (to phylum); Oligochaeta, Hirudinea (to class). All macroinvertebrates were identified using the taxonomic keys on the MDFRC web guide (Hawking, Smith & Le Busque 2004 onwards). A full list of keys used is found in Hawking (2000).

All taxa identified have a reference specimen maintained in the MDFRC voucher collection. All voucher specimens were confirmed by an expert taxonomist for Quality Assurance purposes.

3.7 QA/QC checks 10% of randomly chosen biological samples were re-identified by a senior taxonomist with no prior knowledge of previous identifications. Taxonomic errors were determined based on the comparison between identification by the original taxonomist and the QC taxonomist. Acceptable, taxonomic error must be below 10%. Due to the large backlog of samples originating from the period prior to the MDFRC involvement in the project, the QA/QC checks have not been completed and will be submitted at a later date.

3.8 Data Analysis 3.8.1 Water Quality Daily discharge data was accessed from the Victorian Water Resources Data Warehouse and was supplied by Theiss Environmental services http://www.vicwaterdata.net/vicwaterdata/data_warehouse_content.aspx?option=5. This was summarised as mean daily discharge for each month and represented graphically for the 2002 to 2007 period. Water quality and nutrient data was represented graphically for the 2002 to 2007 period whenever available. All water quality parameters were assessed in relation to the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) objectives (EPA , 2003b, 2003c) for the protection of aquatic habitats for the Forest A (B2) bioregion (Table 8).

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 24 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Table 8 State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) (EPA, 2003b, c) objectives for water quality and nutrients for Forest A (B2) bioregion

Indicator Value Dissolved Oxygen (25th percentile/maximum) 90/110 Turbidity 75th percentile 5 Electrical conductivity (75th percentile) 100 pH (25th percentile/75th percentile) 6.4/7.7 Total Phosphorus (µg.L-1, 75th percentile) 25 Total Nitrogen (µg.L-1, 75th percentile) 350

3.8.2 Macroinvertebrates A total species list of the taxa collected from each site was generated to determine total species richness for each site. In addition to this several biological indices have been derived to aid in the assessment of river health for each site on each sampling occasion. These include; AusRivAs, Signal, Number of Families, Number of key Families and Number of EPT taxa (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera taxa). This data was represented either graphically or tabulated to show temporal and spatial trends. All indices were assessed in relation to the State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) objectives EPA (2004) for the protection of aquatic habitats for the Forest A (B2) bioregion (Table 9).

Table 9 State Environment Protection Policy (SEPP) (EPA, 2004) biological objectives for Forest A (B2) bioregion

Index Riffle Edge Number of Families 21 22 Signal index score 6 5.7 EPT index score 9 7 Key Families 22 AUSRIVAS O/E 0.87-1.13 0.86-1.15

AUSRIVAS Band A A

The Victorian AUSRIVAS model was used as a biological assessment tool to assess the level of biological impairment against a reference condition. The Victoria Forests A (Bioregion 2) combined season edge and riffle models were used (Table 10). Signal scores were based on Signal 1

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 25 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007 scores obtained from EPA (2003a) (Table 11).

Table 10 AusRivAs bands and band widths for the Victorian Forests A (B2) bioregion combined season edge and riffle models

Model name Habitat Season Band Band Band Band Band Band X A B C D width Autumn+Spring Edge Autumn+Spring >1.14 1.14 0.84 0.55 0.26 0.29 Autumn+Spring Riffle Autumn+Spring >1.16 1.16 0.82 0.49 0.16 0.33

Table 11 Signal bands classification based on Signal 1

SIGNAL value Water quality >7 Excellent 6-7 Clean water 5-6 Doubtful, probable mild pollution 4-5 Probable moderate pollution <4 Probable severe pollution

Multivariate analysis of macroinvertebrate community structure was performed using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) based on the Bray-Curtis coefficient dissimilarity measure following presence/absence transformation. The SIMPER routine was performed to determine the taxa which were contributing most to the differences between sites. All multivariate analysis was performed using Primer Version 5 (Clarke and Warwick 2001).

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 26 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

4.0 Results 4.1 Discharge Discharge recorded at Colemans (Site 502) and at Tallandoon (Site 504) on the Mitta Mitta River generally follows the same seasonal pattern of increased discharge during the late spring/summer period due to releases from Dartmouth Dam for irrigation and transfers to Lake Hume (Fig. 9). Discharge at these two sites is generally reduced over the autumn/winter period due to the capture of water by Dartmouth Dam. This is particularly so at Site 502 which receives no significant tributary inflows between Dartmouth Dam and the site. However, discharge recorded at Tallandoon (Site 504) receives several tributary inflows and consequently shows some discharge variability over the winter spring period in response to rainfall events and increased inflows from tributaries.

The influence of the tributary inflows on discharge at Site 504 is evident in Fig. 2 and would be similar for Site 503. The most significant of these tributaries is Snowy Creek which has its confluence with the Mitta Mitta River at the Mitta Mitta Township. This stream typically has discharge substantially less than the Mitta Mitta River due to the smaller catchment area. The hydrograph of the Snowy Creek shows a natural flow pattern, with reduced flows (base flow) over the summer autumn period and increased flows during winter spring.

Discharge in the Mitta Mitta River was quite different between years due to variable demands for irrigation and transfers to Lake Hume (Fig. 9). In the 2002 releases from Dartmouth began in the June / July period increasing to approximately 10000ML.day-1 by September and remaining at about this level until March 2003. Rainfall events in late winter 2003 increased discharge at all sites, with discharge at Site 504 increasing to approximately 3400 ML.day-1 in August. Releases from Dartmouth were substantially lower during the 2003/2004 summer period compared to the previous summer, peaking at around 1300 ML.day-1 in February. Discharge was reduced by March and discharge remained low at all three sites until rainfall events in August/September, which increased discharge at all sites. Discharge at Site 502 and 504 was maintained at or enhanced by releases from Dartmouth Dam reaching 6600 ML.day- 1 in October then gradually decreasing through to February 2005.

Increased flows occurred at Site 504 and in the Snowy Creek in the period September to November 2005 due to rainfall events. These increases were not evident at Site 502 as flows were capture within Dartmouth Dam. There appears to have been very little release of water from Dartmouth Dam for irrigation or transfer to Lake Hume over the 2005/2006 summer period with mean monthly discharge not exceeding 500 ML.day-1 between December and March. The hydrograph of the Snowy Creek indicated

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 27 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007 that there was no significant rainfall event during winter or spring of 2006 as the hydrograph continues to decline throughout 2006 until autumn 2007. Base flows dropped to only 41 ML.day-1 compared to base flow of around 200 ML.day-1 in summer 2002, indicating a severe drought conditions throughout. Major releases from Dartmouth Dam began in August 2006 peaking at approximately 10700ML.day-1 in December and remaining high until March/April 2007.

12000 Mitta Mitta R. @ Colemans Mitta Mitta R. @ Tallandoon Snowy Ck. @ Granite Flat 10000

8000

6000

4000

Discharge (ML/day) Discharge

2000

0

1/1/02 1/1/03 1/1/04 1/1/05 1/1/06 1/1/07 1/1/08

Date

Fig. 9 Mean daily discharge for each month in the Mitta Mitta River at Colemans, Mitta Mitta River at Tallandoon and Snowy Creek at Granite Flat. Based on daily discharge data accessed from the Victorian Water Resources Data Warehouse and was supplied by Theiss Environmental services http://www.vicwaterdata.net/vicwaterdata/data_warehouse_content.aspx?option=5

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 28 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

4.2 Water Quality 4.2.1 Physico-chemical Water quality data was obtained via a number of sources and as a consequence several gaps appear in the data. The MDFRC laboratory began sampling in spring 2005 and collected physicochemical and nutrient data from this date onwards. Prior to this data was obtained from either WATER ECOscience laboratories or from the Victorian Data Warehouse when available.

Due to the variability in the time of day that physicochemical data was gathered it is difficult to make comparisons between sites and seasons, due to the impact of light and temperature on stream processes. However, with this in mind the following trends are evident.

Site 501 and Site 507 were the sites with the highest water temperature, reaching 20.6oC and 17.5oC respectively. Site 506 at Mt Wills Creek had the coolest water on most occasions, reaching as low as 7.2oC in autumn 2005. Site 505 on Snowy Creek had temperatures similar to Site 506. Sites 502, 503 and 504 were in general intermediate in the observed temperature.

The pH across all sites ranged from 5.5 to 8.9 (Fig. 10). For the majority of the sampling occasions pH at all sites were within the SEPP (EPA, 2003b) objective range of 6.4 to 7.7. In spring 2005, all sites with the exception of Site 504 had pH values which were higher than the objective. In autumn 2004 Sites 502, 503, 504 had pH values below the lower SEPP (EPA, 2003b) objective. The pH was typically higher at Site 505 and Site 506 than on the Mitta Mitta River sites, although there are exceptions (Fig. 3).

Electrical conductivity ranged from 13.1µS.cm-1 to 281µS.cm-1 across all sites (Fig.10). Electrical conductivity was similar at all sites on the Mitta Mitta River and was intermediate in value between Site 507 and Site 506. On two occasions the SEPP (EPA, 2003b) objectives were exceeded, once at Site 507 autumn 2007 and at Site 502 in spring 2003. The reading at Site 502 would appear to be a result of an instrument or operator error. Electrical conductivity was consistently higher at Site 507 than at all other sites, with the exception of spring 2003 and spring 2005 when conductivity was higher at Site 502. Sites 505 and 506 consistently had the lowest electrical conductivity.

Turbidity ranged from 1 NTU to 25 NTU across all sites (Fig. 10). All sites exceeded the SEPP (EPA, 2003b) objective of 5 NTU on all sampling occasions with the exception of spring 2003 and autumn 2006 (Fig. 4). No clear and consistent patterns were evident among the sites. From the Mitta Mitta River sites, Site 501 generally had the lowest turbidity readings, Sites 503 and 504 had the highest. The highest

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 29 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007 turbidity readings were recorded from Site 507 followed by Site 505. Turbidity data was not available from the data supplied from WATER ECOscience for the spring 2004 autumn 2005 sampling period.

Dissolved oxygen percent saturation ranged from 66% to 137% across all sites and was in most cases lowest at Site 501 on the Mitta Mitta River (Fig. 10). Other than this, few consistent patterns were evident among sites. On no sampling occasion was Site 502 or 503 below the SEPP (EPA, 2003b) objective of 90% saturation. Site 501 was below 90% saturation on 4 sampling events; spring 2003, autumn 2004, autumn 2005 and autumn 2007. Site 505 was below 90% on spring 2003 and autumn 2007. Site 506 was below 90% in autumn 2004, Site 506 in autumn 2004 and autumn 2007, Site 507 in autumn 2005 and autumn 2007. With the exception of Sites 502 and 503 all sites appear to have lower % saturation during autumn 2004, 2005 and 2007 during an intense dry periods. In spring 2004 Mitta Mitta River Sites 502 and 503 as well as Sites 505 and 506 were supersaturated with oxygen and above the SEPP (EPA, 2003b) objectives.

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 30 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

25 10

20 8

C)

o 15 6

pH 10 4

Temperature ( Temperature 5 2

0 0

spring 03 Autumn 04 spring 04 300 Autumn 05 30 spring 05

) 250 Autumn 06 25 -1 Spring 06 Autumn 07 .cm 200 20

uS 150 15

100 10

Turbidity (NTU) Turbidity

Conductivity ( Conductivity 50 5

0 0

16 160

) 14 140

-1

12 120

10 100

8 80

6 60

4 40

2 20

Dissolved Oxygen (mg.L Oxygen Dissolved

0 saturation) (% oxygen Dissolved 0

s501 s502 s503 s504 s505 s506 s507 s501 s502 s503 s504 s505 s506 s507

Fig. 10 Physico-chemical values for each site on each sampling date

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 31 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

4.2.2 Nutrients Data for Total phosphorus (TP) was only available from spring 2005 onwards and ranged from 16 µgP.L-1 at Site 501 to 43µgP.L-1 at Site 507 (Fig. 11). From spring 2005 to spring 2006, in the Mitta Mitta River, TP generally increased in a downstream direction from Site 501 to Site 504. However, in autumn 2007, site 501 had substantially higher TP than the other sites on the Mitta Mitta River and exceeded the SEPP (EPA, 2003c) objective of 25µgP.L-1. In spring 2005, Sites 503 and 504 exceeded the SEPP objective. Site 507 had the highest concentrations of all sites reaching a maximum of 43µgP.L-1 in spring 2006 and exceeded the SEPP objective on all occasions except autumn 2006 when TP was 25µgP.L-1. Site 506 exceeded the SEPP objectives on all four sampling occasions and had a maximum reading of 29 µgP.L-1.

Data for Total nitrogen (TN) was only available from spring 2005 onwards and ranged from 82 µgN.L-1 at site 506, to 740 µgN.L-1 at Site 507 (Fig. 11). In the Mitta Mitta River TN increased downstream of Dartmouth Dam in spring 2005 from 220 µgN.L-1 at Site 501 to 405 µgN.L-1 at Site 504, exceeding the SEPP (EPA, 2003c) objective of 350 µgN.L-1 at Site 504. On all other sampling dates TN was similar at all sites on the Mitta Mitta River and below the SEPP objectives, generally between 200 and 260 µgN.L-1. TN was consistently highest at Site 507 (310 µgN.L-1to 740µgN.L-1) and exceeded the SEPP objectives on all sampling occasions except autumn 2007. The lowest TN concentration was consistently recorded at Site 506 and 505, and was always below the SEPP objectives.

Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) ranged from <2 µgN.L-1 at Site 501 to 390 µgN.L-1 at Site 507 (Fig. 11). Levels of NOx were in most cases similar at all sites along the Mitta Mitta River, with the exception of spring 2006 when levels increased from Site 501 to Site 503 then decreased markedly at Site 504. Levels of NOx were highest at Site 507 than at all other sites from spring 2005 to spring 2006 and similar to all other sites in August 2007. NOx levels were consistently lowest at Sites 505 and 506. No SEPP guidelines are available for oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

-1 -1 Alkalinity levels ranged from 12.5 mgCaCO3.L at Site 506 to 45.5 mgCaCO3.L at Site 507. Alkalinity was generally similar among the Mitta Mitta River sites, with the exception of spring 2005 when Site 501 was substantially higher than the other sites on the Mitta Mitta River (Fig. 11). Site 507 had the highest level of alkalinity on all dates except spring 2006 when alkalinity was greater at Site 506. On all other sampling dates alkalinity was lowest at Site 506. No SEPP objectives are available for Alkalinity.

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 32 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

50 50

spring 05

)

) 40 Autumn 06 -1 40 -1 Spring 06

.L 3 Autumn 07 30 30

s501 20 20 s502 s503 s504

Alkalinity (mgCaCO Alkalinity 10 10 s505 Total Phosphorus (µgP.L Total Phosphorus s506 s507 0 0

500 800

)

-1

400 )

-1 600

300

400

200

200 100 (µgN.L Total Nitrogen

Oxides of Nitrogen (µgN.L of Nitrogen Oxides

0 0

s501 s502 s503 s504 s505 s506 s507 s501 s502 s503 s504 s505 s506 s507

Fig. 11 Nutrient values recorded for each site from spring 2005 to autumn 2007

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 33 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

4.3 Macroinvertebrates Due to high discharge levels and associated depth and flow at sites it was not always possible to collect both riffle and edge samples. Tables 12 and 13 indicate the season in which the habitats were sampled. No riffle samples were collected in spring from site 501 in any year. In addition no autumn riffle samples were collected from Site 501 in the 2003/2004 and 2006/2007 years.

Table 12 The season (spring or autumn) in which an edge sample was collected from each site in each year.

Site 2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 501 Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut 502 Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut 503 Spr, Aut Spr Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut 504 Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut 505 Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut 506 Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut 507 Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut

Table 13 The season (spring or autumn) in which a riffle sample was collected from each site in each year

Site 2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 501 Aut Aut Aut 502 Aut Spr, Aut Aut Spr, Aut Aut 503 Aut Spr Aut Spr, Aut Aut 504 Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Aut 505 Spr, Aut Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut 506 Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut 507 Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut Spr, Aut

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 34 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

4.3.1 Community structure analysis A total of 349 distinct taxa from 111 families were identified during this study. Taxa diversity increased progressively downstream of Dartmouth Dam from Site 501 to 504, with 85, 109, 139 and 144 taxa collected from Site 501, 502, 503 and 504 respectively (Appendix I). The total number of taxa collected from Site 505 on the Snowy Creek, Site 506 on Mt Wills Creek and Site 507 on Watchingorra Creek was 195, 165 and 190 respectively. Insect groups dominated the macroinvertebrate communities at all sites. The most taxa diverse groups were the Diptera (true flies), Trichoptera (caddisflies) Ephemeroptera (mayflies), Plecoptera (stoneflies) and Coleoptera (beetles) (Table 13). The taxa diversity within each Family is presented in Appendix IV.

Site 501 has reduced taxa diversity across almost all of the major taxonomic groups and the diversity within these groups increased downstream from Site 501 in the Mitta Mitta River (Table 13). Taxa diversity was typically higher within all the major groups at the three unregulated reference sites, Site 505, 506 and 507 than any of the Mitta Mitta River sites. Site 507 had greater diversity within the Diptera, Hemiptera and Mollusca and lower diversity within the Trichoptera and Plecoptera relative to the Sites 505 and 506.

The taxa that were generally lacking from Site 501 and consistently present at the lower two sites on Mitta Mitta River, Sites 503 and Site 504 as determined by Simper analysis, were: trichopterans Triplectides spp. and Triaenodes sp.; plecopterans, Leptoperla spp. and Dinotoperla spp.; ephemeropterans Coloburiscoides spp., Tasmanophlebia sp., and Irpacaenis sp.; dipterans Austrosimulium spp. and Polypedilum spp. (Appendix III, IV).

The taxa that were more commonly collected from the unregulated streams such as at Site 506 than at the Mitta Mitta River Sites 503 and 504 as determined by Simper analysis were: trichopterans Tamasia sp., Condocerus sp. Trianodes sp. and Notalina sp.; ephemeropterans, Nousia spp., Coloburiscoides spp., Dipterans Dixidae and Aspectrotanypus sp.; and coleopteran Scirtidae. Some taxa more commonly collected at the Mitta Mitta sites than at Site 506 were; the mollusc Physa acuta and the hemipteran Micronecta spp. (Appendix III, IV).

Multivariate community structure analysis was conducted to assess differences in the macroinvertebrate community structure among sites. Statistical analysis using the ANOSIM routine indicated that the macroinvertebrate communities were significantly different (significance level 5%) between all sites with the exception of the lower two sites on the Mitta Mitta River, sites 503 and 504, for both the edge and

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 35 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007 riffle habitats (Table 14). The relationship among sites is represented graphically using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) (Figs. 12, 13). Both Fig. 12 and 13 indicates the shift from the predominately undisturbed streams on the left of the figure to the most disturbed towards the right. Sites 505 and 506 form a grouping to the left of the figure and sites 503 and 504 located centrally, with site 507 most similar to these two sites. Site 502 formed a group to the right of the figure. Site 501 was quite variable in its community structure but was located farthest to the right. The riffle samples appear to separate out more clearly in the figure than the edge samples, however there is also a greater degree of variability with the riffle sample within and between sites.

Table 14 Taxa diversity within each of the major taxonomic groups at each site.

HIGHER TAXA S 501 S 502 S 503 S 504 S 505 S 506 S 507 Acarina 3 5 6 6 11 5 9 Coleoptera 6 5 13 17 25 22 22 Collembola 3 2 2 1 2 1 1 Crustacea 4 2 2 4 0 0 2 Diptera 30 39 44 39 56 44 59 Ephemeroptera 2 11 13 11 18 18 19 Hemiptera 4 7 7 10 5 4 13 Hirudinea 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 Hydrozoa 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 Lepidoptera 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 Megaloptera 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 Mollusca 3 3 2 3 3 0 6 Nematoda 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Neuroptera 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Neuroptera 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Odonata 3 2 6 5 8 5 12 Oligochaeta 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Plecoptera 4 9 10 12 20 19 8 Trichoptera 15 20 30 30 43 42 33

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 36 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Table 15 ANOSIM results from multivariate statistical analysis of macroinvertebrate community structure differences between sites, including R statistic (range 0 to 1) and significance level for edge and riffle. Sites are significantly different if significance level < 5%. Small R value indicates that sites are similar, large R value indicates sites are different.

Site Comparison Edge Edge Riffle Riffle R statistic Significance (%) R statistic Significance (%) 501 v 502 0.38 0.1 0.69 0.8 501 v 503 0.463 0.1 0.772 0.8 501 v 504 0.506 0.1 0.997 0.6 501 v 505 0.651 0.1 0.982 0.5 501 v 506 0.679 0.1 1.0 0.3 501 v 507 0.53 0.1 0.965 0.3 502 v 503 0.175 0.1 0.191 1.5 502 v 504 0.395 0.1 0.262 0.8 502 v 505 0.761 0.1 0.629 0.1 502 v 506 0.914 0.1 0.955 0.2 502 v 507 0.765 0.1 0.686 0.1 503 v 504 0.002 45.4 0.094 14.1 503 v 505 0.46 0.1 0.36 0.1 503 v 506 0.846 0.1 0.835 0.1 503 v 507 0.552 0.1 0.461 0.1 504 v 505 0.697 0.1 0.712 0.1 504 v 506 0.919 0.1 0.983 0.1 504 v 507 0.465 0.1 0.545 0.1 505 v 506 0.34 0.1 0.557 0.1 505 v 507 0.666 0.1 0.57 0.1 506 v 507 0.929 0.1 0.867 0.1

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 37 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Stress: 0.2

501 502

503 504

505 506

507

Fig. 12 Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) of edge macroinvertebrate communites at each site

Stress: 0.23 501 502

503 504

505 506

507

Fig. 13 Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) of riffle macroinvertebrate communities at each site

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 38 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

4.3.2 AusRivAs All samples from both riffle and edge habitats in 2002/03 to 2006/07 were placed in either „A‟, „B‟, or „C‟ bands, with no samples falling into either band „D‟ or band „X‟ (Fig. 14). Site 501 was the only site from which samples were placed in band „C‟. This was from edge samples from 2004/05 onwards, and both riffle samples that were collected (2002/03 and 2004/05). Edge samples taken from site 501 in 2002/03 and 2003/04 were placed into band „B‟. All samples, from site 502 were placed into band „B‟, with the exception of the riffle sample taken in 2005/06, placed into band „A‟. All but one of the edge samples from site 503 were placed into band „A‟, with 2003/04 placed in „B‟. Conversely, all but one of the riffle samples from Site 503 was placed into band „B‟, with 2005/06 into band „A‟. Site 504 was placed into band „A‟ for all riffle samples and four of the five edge samples, with the 2004/05 edge sample at the upper limit of band „B‟. Site 505 was placed into the „A‟ band for all edge samples and four of the five riffle samples, with the 2003/04 riffle in band „B‟. Site 506 was the only site in which all samples were placed into band „A‟, indicating that this site was consistently equivalent to reference sites. Riffle samples from site 507 were placed in band „A‟, with the exception of 2003/04, which fell into the upper limits of band „B‟. Edge samples at 507 were banded „B‟ with the exception of 2002/03 and 2005/06, which were in band „A‟.

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 39 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

1.2 1.14 A 1.0

0.84 0.8 B

0.6 0.55 C 0.4

AusRivAs O/E (Edge) O/E AusRivAs 0.26 0.2 D

0.0

2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007

1.2 1.16 A 1.0

0.8 0.82 B

0.6

0.49 0.4 C

AusRivAs O/E (Riffle) O/E AusRivAs

0.2 0.16 D 0.0

501 502 503 504 505 506 507

Site

Fig. 14 AUSRIVAS scores for each site on each sampling occasion, indicating bands and band widths

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 40 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Overall bandings for each site (edge and riffle combined) have been allocated according to the precautionary principle (EPA 2003a), i.e. allocated to the lower band (Table 15). All samples from site 506 remain in band „B‟, and all samples from site 501 are placed in band „C‟, except 2003/04, placed in band „B‟. 2005/06 remains the highest scoring year with all samples placed in „A‟ apart from those from sites 501 (C) and 502 (B). The lowest scoring years are 2004/05 and 2006/07; each with bandings of C-B- B-B-A-A-B for sites 501 through to 507 respectively.

Table 16 Final AusRivAs band allocations for each site in each year based on the precautionary principle of allocating a site to the lowest of the band allocation from the edge and riffle band allocations.

2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 Site OE50 Band OE50 Band OE50 Band OE50 Band OE50 Band 501 0.48 C 0.73 B 0.31 C 0.32 C 0.47 C 502 0.63 B 0.68 B 0.68 B 0.68 B 0.6 B 503 0.68 B 0.77 B 0.77 B 0.9 A 0.73 B 504 0.9 A 0.96 A 0.84 B 0.88 A 0.58 B 505 0.91 A 0.68 B 0.89 A 0.95 A 0.98 A 506 0.95 A 1.04 A 0.95 A 0.95 A 0.95 A 507 0.93 A 0.78 B 0.79 B 0.92 A 0.83 B

4.3.3 Signal Edge Habitat Signal scores from the edge habitat ranged from 4.8 at Site 501 (2005/06) to 7.1 at Site 506 (2006/07) (Fig. 15). Site 501 was the only site with Signal scores which consistently failed to meet the SEPP (EPA 2004) objectives of 5.7. Of the four Mitta Mitta River sites, only Site 503 consistently reached the targets for both riffle and edge habitats. Site 504 fell below the target for edge samples from 2003/04 and 2004/2005. Signal scores at Site 502 ranged from 5.4 to 6.1 and failed to meet the SEPP objectives in 2004/2005, 2005/2006 and 2006/2007. Signal scores for all samples from Sites 505 and 506 met the SEPP objective. Site 507 fell below the SEPP objective in 2003/04 and 2006/07.

Riffle habitat Signal scores from the riffle habitat ranged from 5.2 at Site 501 (2005/06) to 7.3 at Site 505 (2003/04) (Fig. 15). Site 501 consistently failed to meet the SEPP (EPA 2004) objectives of 6.0. Site 502 only just met the SEPP objective in 2002/2003. Of the four Mitta Mitta River sites, only Site 503 consistently met

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 41 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007 the SEPP objective. Site 504 fell below the objective on one occasion (20003/2004) and only just met the objective in 2005/2006. All Signal scores from Sites 505 and 506 were above the SEPP objective. Site 507 fell below the target in 2004/05 and 2006/07.

In general, signal scores from the Mitta Mitta River sites increased with distance downstream of Dartmouth Dam. Sites 505 and 506 were highest, and site 507 intermediate.

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 42 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

8

6 5.7

4

Signal score (Edge) score Signal 2

0

2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 8

6 6

4

signal score (Riffle) score signal 2

0 501 502 503 504 505 506 507

Site

Fig. 15 Signal scores for each site on each sampling date, indicating SEPP (EPA, 2004) biological objectives; 5.7 for edge and 6 for riffle habitat

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 43 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

4.3.4 Number of families Edge Habitat The number of families collected from the edge habitat ranged from 13 families at Site 501 in 2006/07 to 41 families at Site 507 in 2002/03 (Fig. 16). Of the Mitta Mitta River sites, there was a general trend of an increase in families with distance downstream of Dartmouth Dam. Site 501 generally had the least number of families. The number of families collected from site 501 only met the SEPP (EPA, 2004) objective of 22 families in 2002/03 (27 families), after which the number of families declined to 13 families in 2006/07. The number of families at site 502 was more consistent, increasing from 18 in 2002/03 to 23 in 2005/06 and 2006/07. The number of families at site 503 fluctuated considerably around the target of 22, peaking at 28 and 33 in 2002/03 and 2005/06 respectively, and dropping to 18 in 2003/04. Site 504 was consistently above the SEPP objective, ranging from 25 families in 2003/04 to 31 families in 2005/06 and 2006/07. Sites 505 and 506 were both consistently above the SEPP objective for number of families, ranging from 26 to 33 families and 29 to 35 families respectively. Site 507 on Watchingorra Creek had the highest number of families collected – 41 in 2002/03 and 39 in 2006/07. The lowest number recorded at this site was 30 in 2004/05.

Riffle habitat The number of families collected from the riffle habitat ranged from 11 families at Site 501 to 38 families at Site 507 in (Fig. 16). The highest number of families collected at Site 501 was 18 in 2002/03, and only 11 were collected in both 2004/05 and 2005/06. Site 501 was the only site which consistently failed to reach the SEPP (EPA, 2004) objective of 21 families, although no data was available for 2003/04, when the number of families peaked at the other three Mitta Mitta sites. The numbers of families collected from Sites 502, 503 and 504 all fluctuated around the SEPP objective over the study period, ranging from 15 to 23 families, 18 to 23 families and 15 to 26 families respectively. Site 505 failed to meet the SEPP objective on only one occasion, 2003/2004 when 19 families were collected. The greatest number of families was collected from Site 505 in 2006/2007 when 34 families were collected. The number of families collected from Sites 506 and 507 was consistently above the SEPP objective of 21 families. Both of these sites had the highest number of families recorded during the study. In 2003/04, Site 506 peaked at 38 families, declining over the following two years to 29, while Site 507 dropped to 26 families, increasing over the following two years to 30. Sites 506 and 507 both peaked again in 2006/07, with 35 and 38 families, respectively.

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 44 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

50

40

30

22 20

Number of Families (Edge) 10

0

2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007

40

30

21 20

10

Number of Families (Riffle)

0 501 502 503 504 505 506 507

Site

Fig. 16 Number of families collected from each site on each sampling occasion indicating the SEPP (EPA, 2004) biological objectives; 22 families for edge habitat, 21 for riffle habitat

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 45 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

4.3.5 Number of key families The number of key families collected from the edge and riffle habitats combined ranged from 8 key families at Site 501 to 40 key families at both Site 505 and 506 (Fig. 17). Of the seven sites, Site 501 had the lowest number of key families in each year, falling below the SEPP (EPA 2004) objective of 22 key families on each sampling occasion and decreased from 18 key families in 2002/03 to 8 key families in 2006/07. Site 502 was the only other site where the number of key families fell below the SEPP objective, which occurred in 2002/03 and 2004/05 (20 and 21 key families respectively). The number of key families increased further downstream at Sites 503 and 504, and both these sites were consistently above the SEPP objective, both sites ranging from 26 to 28 key families. Sites 505, 506 and 507 all had more key families than any of the four Mitta Mitta sites. Site 505 dropped from 34 in 2002/03 to 28 in 2004/05 and then peaked at 40 key families in 2005/06. Site 506 remained at approximately 34, except during 2003/04 and 2006/07, 39 and 40 key families respectively. Site 507 was relatively stable, ranging from 34 key families in both 2002/03 and 2006/07 to 30 in 2004/05.

50

2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 40 2005/2006 2006/2007

30

22 20

10

Number of Families (Combined habitat key 0 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 Site

Fig. 17 Number of key families collected at each site on each sampling occasion for combined edge and riffle habitats, indicating SEPP (EPA, 2004) biological objective of 22 key families

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 46 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

4.3.6 EPT index The number of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) taxa increased downstream of Lake Dartmouth from site 501 to site 504 on the Mitta Mitta River. For the entire 2002 – 2007 period the edge habitat had 7, 12, 12 and 14 EPT taxa at sites 501, 502, 503, 504 respectively, 20 at site 505 on the Snowy Creek, 20 at site 506 on Mt Wills Creek and 14 at site 507 on Watchingorra Creek. The riffle habitat had 8, 11, 15, 14, 20, 24, 16 EPT taxa at sites 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507 respectively, over the entire 2002 – 2007 period.

Edge habitat The number of EPT taxa collected from the edge habitat ranged from 2 taxa at Site 501 to 18 taxa at Site 506 (Fig. 18). Site 501 failed to meet the SEPP (EPA, 2004) objectives of 7 EPT taxa in all years with the exception of 2002/2003 when the site just meets the required number of 7 taxa. All other sites on the Mitta Mitta River, Snowy Creek, Mt Wills Creek and Watchingorra Creek met the SEPP (EPA 2004) objectives in every year. Site 507 only just meets the recommended number of 7 taxa in 2003/2004 and 2004/2005. The number of EPT taxa at site 502 ranged between 7 and 11 taxa; site 503 ranged between 10 and 13 taxa; site 504 ranged between 9 and 12; site 505 ranged between 13 and 16; site 507 ranged between 7 and 12.

Riffle habitat The number of EPT taxa collected from the riffle habitat ranged from 4 taxa at Site 501 to 19 taxa at Site 506 (Fig. 18). The number of EPT taxa at site 501 ranged between 4 and 7 in the years that the riffle habitat could be sampled. This is well below the SEPP (EPA, 2004) objective of 9 taxa. Site 502 failed to meet the SEPP objectives in 2002/2003 when only 8 EPT taxa were collected and ranged from 8 to 11 taxa over all years. All other sites met the SEPP objective of 9 EPT taxa in all years. Site 503 and site 504 ranged from 9 to 13 taxa; site 505 ranged from 13 to 16; site 506 ranged from 13 to 19 taxa; site 507 ranged from 11 to 14 taxa.

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 47 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

20

18

16

14

12

10

8 7

EPT score (Edge) score EPT 6

4

2

0

2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006 20 2006/2007

15

10 9

EPT score (Riffle) score EPT 5

0 501 502 503 504 505 506 507

Site

Fig. 18 Number of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) taxa collected at each site on each sampling occasion, indicating SEPP (EPA, 2004) biological objective of 7 EPT taxa for edge habitat, 9 EPT taxa for riffle habitat.

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 48 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007 5.0 Discussion 5.1 Discharge The hydrograph of the Mitta Mitta River is typical of a river with a major water storage used to transfer water to meet irrigation demand (Ward 1976), that is, enhanced summer flows due to releases from the dam and reduced winter spring flows due to the capture of inflows by Dartmouth Dam. This is most pronounced at Sites 501 and 502 which receive little tributary inputs. Sites 503 and 504 show the same pattern of summer flows but do have some increased variability over the winter period due to tributary inputs, such as that from Snowy Creek. Snowy Creek, Mt Wills Creek and Watchingorra Creek (Callaghans Creek) are unregulated streams that maintain the natural flow pattern of increased discharge over the winter/spring period and declining to base flows over the summer period.

Discharge in the Mitta Mitta River was quite different between years due to varying demands for irrigation and the need to transfer water to Lake Hume. The 2003/2004 and 2006/2007 seasons were characterised by the highest discharge rates corresponding to the two drier seasons, when inflows to Dartmouth Dam would have been at a minimum and tributary flows were at their lowest, as indicated by Snowy Creek. Releases from Dartmouth Dam in the 2003/2004 and the 2005/2006 were very much reduced. This was particularly pronounced for the 2005/2006 season, with almost no substantial increase in flow for the entire irrigation period. This corresponds with years of substantial rainfall and significant tributary flows as indicated by Snowy Creek. The 2006/2007 period corresponds with an extreme dry period. The hydrograph of Snowy Creek shows no significant runoff event for the entire winter/spring period. As a consequence the following summer period was characterised by extreme low flows in all of the unregulated streams, Snowy Creek, Mt Wills Creek and Watchingorra Creek.

This inter-annual variability in stream discharge potentially has implication for nutrient processing and the biotic communities. In addition to this, due to low water levels in Dartmouth Dam, releases were made from the low level off-take from late December 2006 throughout the remainder of the following season. Water quality in the Mitta Mitta River declined in response to this with decreased temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration, slight depression of pH and increases in total iron, manganese and sulphate (Gigney, H. Watson, G. and Baldwin, D., 2007).

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 49 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

5.2 Water Quality 5.2.1 Physico-chemical As mentioned earlier, in-situ physico-chemical water quality measures were collected at the time of sampling, which meant that diel changes in temperature and biological activity including photosynthesis render analysis of these results of little value. However, annual differences in discharge in each stream, whether due to regulation or due to climatic conditions, appear to be having some impact upon water quality.

Temperature is particularly sensitive to diel changes and the results discussed need to bear this in mind. The warmest temperatures recorded on the Mitta Mitta River were from Site 501. However, the temperatures recorded generally became higher at the sites downstream of Site 501 on the Mitta Mitta a likely response to water temperature equilibrating to the ambient conditions. Of the unregulated sites Site 507 on Watchingora Creek consistently had higher temperatures than most other sites. Watchingora Creek is a relatively small stream with an extensively cleared catchment and limited riparian vegetation and shading in the sampling section. Consequently the stream would be susceptible to a greater degree of stream warming during the day. Sites 505 and 506 have an intact riparian zone which maintains stream shading and consequently these two sites have the coolest water temperatures.

The pH also undergoes diel changes due to temperature and biological activity such as photosynthesis which can cause the pH to increase during the day as dissolved CO2 is consumed (ANZECC, 2000). With this in mind, pH was generally highest at Site 505 and 506. In most cases all sites were within the SEPP (EPA, 2003b) objectives. However in autumn 2004 Sites 502, 503 and 504 had values well below the SEPP objectives of 6.4, with pH values of 5.6, 5.7 and 5.5 respectively. These results are not a result of releases from Dartmouth as Site 501 had a pH of 6.6 on this sampling date. Changes in pH can impact on the physiology of biota if of sufficient magnitude. The pH at these sites should continue to be monitored to determine if the pH regularly falls to these low levels. It is however unlikely that the biotic community would have been adversely impacted in this case (ANZECC, 2000).

Conductivity was for the most part was well within the SEPP (EPA, 2003b) guidelines, with the exception of Site 502 in spring 2003 which is most likely an instrument or a reporting error. The other occasion was at Site 507 in autumn 2007 when conductivity was marginally higher than the SEPP objective. Site 507 typically had the highest conductivity of any of the sites. The extensively cleared catchment and limited riparian vegetation would enable the movements of solutes through the groundwater and into the stream. By contrast, Sites 505 and 506, which have an intact riparian zone and catchment vegetation consistently

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 50 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007 had the lowest conductivity. All sites on the Mitta Mitta River generally had similar conductivity values and were within the SEPP guidelines.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) was regularly lower at Site 501 than at all other sites on the Mitta Mitta River and did not meet the SEPP (EPA, 2003b) objective on four occasions. This is possibly a result of low oxygen levels in the water released from Dartmouth Dam. Releases from the low level off take had occurred since late December 2006 up to the autumn 2007 sampling. The low DO levels during the autumn 2007 sampling were a likely result of this (Gigney, H. Watson, G. and Baldwin, D., 2007). The DO level steadily increased downstream and appears to have recovered by Site 503, probably due to turbulence, however Site 504 was also below the SEPP objectives on this date.

The lowest level of dissolved oxygen percent saturation during this study appears to be associated with the autumn low flow periods. During these periods many of the sites including the unregulated sites 505, 506 and 507, did not meet the SEPP (EPA, 2003) objectives and had DO levels below 90% saturation. This was particularly evident from the autumn 2007 sampling which occurred during an intense dry period, and is likely due to low flow resulting in a lack of turbulent mixing, biological activity and stream warming.

Turbidity was consistently lowest at Site 501 and tended to increase downstream to Site 504. This was likely due to settlement of suspended solids within Dartmouth Dam and subsequent entrainment of sediment into the water column downstream of the dam due to the turbulent flow. Turbidity was regularly lower in the Mitta Mitta River sites than at the three unregulated sites. Of the unregulated sites, Site 507 had the highest turbidity readings, followed by Site 505. Site 507 has an extensively cleared catchment and cattle have access to the stream, which could contribute to these results due to increased erosion. Turbidity became higher in the Mitta Mitta River sites than in the unregulated sites in autumn 2007. This is likely a result of high flows due to releases from Dartmouth Dam and extreme low flows in the unregulated stream. On most occasions with the exception of spring 2003 and autumn 2006 all sites failed to meet the SEPP (EPA, 2003) objective of 5 NTU. High sediment load (turbidity) in the water column can adversely impact on macroinvertebrates in a number of ways eg. by smothering them, clogging feeding and breathing apparatus and altering habitat (ANZECC, 2000). It is important that turbidity levels under non flood conditions do not rise any further than that identified in this report and should continue to be monitored.

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 51 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007 5.2.2 Nutrients Total Nitrogen (TN) was similar at all sites on the Mitta Mitta River, generally around 200 to 250 µgN.L-1 and met the SEPP (EPA, 2003c) objective on all occasions with the exception of spring 2005 at Site 504 when TN was 405µgN.L-1. This site has the greatest influence of agriculture of any of the Mitta Mitta sites and nutrient runoff may have contributed to this result as significant rainfall events occurred in spring 2005. Site 507 consistently had the highest TN levels, exceeding the SEPP (EPA, 2003) objectives on three out of four occasions. As mentioned above, landuse along Watchingora Creek is predominately agricultural and has little riparian vegetation to buffer nutrient movement into the stream. The lowest TN levels were measured at Sites 505 and 506, which have intact catchment vegetation. TN and oxides of nitrogen concentrations were lowest in autumn 2007 across most sites and particularly at the unregulated sites 505, 506 and 507. This probably corresponds to the extended drought and low flow conditions resulting limited inputs of nutrients to the system (Dahm et al. 2003).

Total phosphorus (TP) results were similar to that for TN. In spring 2005 TP exceeded the SEPP (EPA, 2003c) objective at the two sites on the Mitta Mitta River which have adjacent agricultural landuse, Sites 503 and 504. As mentioned above, rainfall events in spring 2005 may have resulted in nutrient runoff into the river. Site 507 on Watchingorra Creek had the highest TP values and exceeded the SEPP values on all occasions, a likely result of the adjacent landuse. Interestingly Site 506 also exceeded the SEPP objectives by a small amount on all occasions. Given the largely undisturbed nature of this site it is likely a result of catchment characteristics.

5.2.3 Summary of water quality Physicochemical data is difficult to interpret due the variations in the time of sampling. In most cases physicochemical parameters meet the SEPP objectives (EPA, 2003b, c) and are in general of no concern. Turbidity was the parameter that was consistently above the SEPP (EPA, 2003b) objective and monitoring should be continued that this situation does not deteriorate. Instream flow conditions and climate appear to be having an influence on some of the physicochemical parameters through its impact on instream processes and entrainment of sediment.

Nutrient levels were mostly within the SEPP (EPA, 2003c) objectives. Landuse and surrounding vegetation appear to be having an influence on instream nutrient levels as well as the flow conditions. Site 507 has an extensively cleared catchment with a surrounding land use of diary and beef production resulting in elevated nutrient, conductivity and turbidity readings. The main impact of enhanced nutrient levels is an increase in algal growth in particular cyanobacteria which can cause significant nuisance (ANZECC, 2000).

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 52 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

5.3 Macroinvertebrates The study area contained a high biodiversity of 349 distinct aquatic taxa, of which 242 taxa were recorded just from the Mitta Mitta River and Snowy Creek. This is much higher biodiversity richness than previous studies conducted on the same rivers; 161 (Doeg 1984), 149 (WATER ECOscience, 2002), 125 (Koehn, Doeg, Harrington & Milledge, 1995), 98 (Blyth, Doeg & St Clair, 1984). However, a direct comparison cannot be made, due to different sampling techniques used and the increased taxonomic knowledge presently available. Consequently, this survey does provide a more complete understanding of the biodiversity than the previous surveys; however, the collection methods don‟t allow a quantitative evaluation of this.

The macroinvertebrate fauna at Site 501 immediately below Dartmouth Dam had greatly reduced species richness (85) compared to the other sites on the Mitta Mitta River (eg. 144 taxa at Site 504) and to the unregulated sites (eg. 195 taxa at Site 505). The macroinvertebrate fauna appears to recover in a downstream direction, but diversity remains low at Site 502 (109 taxa) and does not reach a maximum diversity until the confluence with the Snowy Creek, indicated by Sites 503 and 504. WATER ECOscience (2002) and Koehn et al. (1995) reported the same pattern of distribution, with a recovery after the inflows from the Snowy Creek. This agrees with Marchant and Hehir (2002) that recovery below a dam generally occurs below a major tributary. Despite this recovery, species richness at Site 504 remains substantially lower than at any of the unregulated reference sites. The recovery within the Mitta Mitta River was driven mostly by an increase in taxa belonging to groups generally considered sensitive taxa such as Trichoptera (caddis flies) Ephemeroptera (mayflies) and Plecoptera (stoneflies). In addition to this there was also an increase in the diversity with in Diptera (true flies), and Coleoptera (beetles) groups. The taxa diversity within these major groups was substantially higher again within the unregulated sites 505, 506 and 507 and in many cases was driven by taxa commonly associated with cool fast flowing water, such as the beetles Sclerocyphon spp. and Austrolimnius spp.

The deporporate state at Sites 501 and 502 is characterised by a low number of Elmidae, with none collected at Site 501, and an absence of Psephenidae (Water Pennies) at either site. The sites were dominated by taxa which are associated with streams in a disturbed state. The Chironomidae were dominated by Chironomus, Cladopelma, Cryptochironomus and Dictrotendipes, taxa which can tolerate a range of disturbances including low oxygenated waters. The Isopod Heterias sp. was found only at Site 502, and appears to flourish in a disturbed habitat, also being found below weirs and locks on the Murray River (Bennison et al. 1989).

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 53 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007 Taxa that only occurred in the Mitta Mitta River and Watchingorra Creek were Paratya (Shrimp) and Physa acuta (Introduced snail). The introduced snail is well established in the Mitta Mitta River and is the dominant gastropod, replacing the native Planorbidae snails. The Liver Fluke vector Austropeplea tomentosa is also found at all sites except Mt Wills Creek.

The macroinvertebrate fauna at Site 507 was very diverse, 190 taxa, which was greater than at Site 506 (165) and equivalent to Site 505 (195). Despite this the site has reduced diversity in the sensitive taxa groups such as Trichoptera and Plecoptera and greater diversity within groups which contain a number of more tolerant taxa such as Diptera and Mollusca. The Diptera diversity was due to 6 spp. of Tipulidae (Crane flies) and 7 spp. of Ceratopogonidae (Biting midges). This result is consistent with the site having mild organic pollution (EPA 2003a) and is most likely due to the mostly cleared catchment and adjacent agricultural landuse and the associated nutrient runoff from cattle and fertiliser application.

All of the biotic indices used to assess river health in this study indicate the same general patterns, which gives a good level of confidence in the results. Within the Mitta Mitta River biological condition appears to be significantly impaired immediately below Dartmouth Dam at Site 501, a finding consistent with many previous reports (Koehn et al. 1995, WES, 2002). All of the biological indices indicated that Site 501 was below the SEPP objectives (EPA, 2004). AusRivAs modelling indicated that the site was well below reference condition (Band C) on all but one sampling occasion. There was a general trend of recovery of biological condition downstream of Site 501 through to Site 504 on the Mitta Mitta River. Site 502 had higher index scores than Site 501 but still failed to meet the SEPP biological objectives in most cases. Site 503 and Site 504 meet most of the SEPP objectives in most years.

AusRivAs o/e scores also increased downstream such that the lower most site, Site 504, was classed as equivalent to reference in all but one year, 2006/2007. The multivariate statistical analysis of community structure differences confirmed the distinct macroinvertebrate communities among the sites and the general trend of increasing impairment from site 506 to Site 501, with site 503 and site 504 having similar macroinvertebrate communities, and with Site 507, which is in an agricultural landscape, having a macroinvertebrate community most similar to the lower Mitta Mitta River sites, Sites 503 and 504.

The impairment at Site 501 is almost certain to be a result of the impact of the regulated releases from Dartmouth Dam (Koehn et al., 1995). The water quality parameters measured at the site almost always met the SEPP objectives (EPA, 2003) and it is most likely that the regulated flows, the loss of natural seasonality of discharge and the negative impacts that these flows have on available habitat are the main drivers impacting on the biological communities (Koehn et al 1995). There was little recovery of the macroinvertebrate community downstream at Site 502 which remains almost entirely under the influence

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 54 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007 of the regulated flows. It is not until the lower two sites, Sites 503 and Site 504, which retain some natural flow variability due to tributary inputs, notably from Snowy Creek, that there is some recovery in the macroinvertebrate communities. These finding are consistent with the results found by Koehn et al (1995) and WES (2002). Although inconclusive, the AusRivAs scores for the Mitta Mitta River were highest during the 2004/2005 season when there were minimal irrigation releases over the summer period. This supports the assertion that the summer irrigation releases are a substantial contributer to the poor biological condition in the Mitta Mitta River and indicating the communities may recover if this stress was removed.

Three unregulated reference streams were also assessed during this study, Snowy Creek (Site 505), Mt Wills Creek (Site 506) and Watchingorra Creek (Site 507). All three sites were assessed as having better biological condition than any of the Mitta Mitta River Sites. Sites 505 and Site 506 typically ranked the highest of all sites on most indices. Site 506 consistently had the highest AusRivAs o/e scores. Site 505 and 506 meet the biological objectives on all occasions for all indices, with only Site 505 falling out side the AusRivAs Band A (equivalent to reference condition) classification of on one occasion. These two streams have an intact native forest catchment, have excellent habitat condition and maintain the natural flow variability. Site 507 met the biological objectives for all indices with the exception of the Signal index in two years. Site 507 is located in cleared agricultural land and had elevated nutrient levels, most likely in response to the landuse. Signal is an index designed to detect organic pollution and it is possible that this index is more sensitive to this type of disturbance that the other indices used. In addition to this, despite meeting the SEPP objectives for the number of EPT taxa, site 507 had substantially fewer EPT taxa than either Site 505 or 506, again a likely response to the slightly lower water quality of this stream relative to Snowy and Mt Wills Creek.

Prior to the construction of Dartmouth Dam the macroinvertebrate communities in the Mitta Mitta River and Snowy Creek showed a high degree of similarity (Koehn et al. 1995). Subsequent to the construction and the beginning of the irrigation releases the macroinvertebrate communities have become much altered in the Mitta Mitta River and have remained substantially different up to the present. It is unlikely that the nutrient and physicochemical parameters measured during the study are having a major impact on the biological communities in the Mitta Mitta River. However, our sampling is outside of the main irrigation release period and as such may not detect any potential differences in the water chemistry that may have a longer term impact on the biological communities. The major force determining the biological communities in this study appear to be the altered flow regimes and the reduced summer temperature. Koehn et al. (1995) found that summer temperatures were depressed by up to 10oC and did not under go typical summer increases due to the releases from Dartmouth Dam. Most aquatic taxa have life history strategies linked to the natural flow and temperature regimes (Lytle and Poff 2003). The interruption to

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 55 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007 major elements of many macroinvertebrate life cycles due to altered flows and temperature regime in the Mitta Mitta River would have resulted in the loss of species below Dartmouth Dam (Koehn et al. 1995).

5.4 Conclusions The macroinvertebrate community of the Mitta Mitta River immediately below Dartmouth Dam is substantially impaired, with a loss of taxa across a wide range of taxonomic groups. This impairment largely remains until the Mitta Mitta River/Snowy Creek confluence. Below this there is some recovery in the Mitta Mitta River such that by Site 504 the SEPP (EPA, 2004) objectives are mostly met and the AUSRIVAS model rates the site as equivalent to reference. The Snowy Creek provides a source of macroinvertebrates for recolonisation in the Mitta Mitta River and reinstates, to a small degree, some of the natural flow variability to the system. These findings are consistent with many previous studies on the Mitta Mitta River below Dartmouth Dam, (Blyth, Doeg & St Clair, 1984; Doeg, 1984; Koehn et al. 1995; WATER ECOscience, 2002). Water quality does not appear to be a major driver of the loss of biological condition as in most cases the SEPP (EPA, 2003b, c) are met or nearly so. The operation of Dartmouth Dam and subsequent irrigation releases over the summer/autumn period and low winter spring flows are the most likely cause of the reduced biological condition. Macroinvertebrate have lifehistories linked to the natural flow regime and the loss of this will interfere with their lifecycle and habitat requirements, resulting in their loss from the system. This is highlighted by Watchingorra Creek, an unregulated stream, which maintained a high level of biodiversity despite having poorer water quality and substantially altered habitat. However, Watchingorra Creek did have an altered macroinvertebrate community, with the loss of some sensitive taxa (Trichopterea and Plecoptera) and an increase in the diversity of some tolerant taxa (Diptera and Mollusca). This was a likely response to the lower water quality due to the surrounding landuse. All the three unregulated reference streams, Snowy Creek, Mt Wills Creek and Watchingorra Creek all maintained high biodiversity throughout the study period and in most cases well above the SEPP objectives.

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 56 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

6.0 References

Australia and New Zealand Environment and Conservation & Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand (2000). National Water Quality Management Strategy, Number 4. Volume 2, Australia and New Zealand guidelines for fresh and marine water quality – Aquatic ecosystems rationale and background information. Environment Australia Cataloguing – in- Publication Data.

Bennison, G.L., Hillman, T.J. and Suter, P.J. (1989) Macroinvertebrates of the River Murray – Survey and Monitoring: 1980-1985). Murray Darling Basin Commission, Canberra.

Blyth, J.D., Doeg, T.J. and St Clair, R.M. (1984) Response of the macroinvertebrate fauna of the Mitta Mitta River, Victoria, to the construction and operation of Dartmouth Dam. 1. Construction and initial filling. Occasional papers from the Museum of Victoria, 1: 83-100.

Clarke, K.R. and Warwick, R.M. (2001) Change in Marine Communities: An approach to statistical analysis and interpretation. Primer-E-Ltd, PlymouthMarine Laboratory, UK.

Dahm, CN, Baker, M.A. Moore, D.I. and Thibault, J.R. (2003) Coupled biogeochemical and hydrological responses of streams and rivers to drought. Freshwater Biology, 48: 1219-1231.

Doeg, T.J. (1984) Response of the macroinvertebrate fauna of the Mitta Mitta River, Victoria, to the construction and operation of Dartmouth Dam. 2. Irrigation release. Occasional papers from the Museum of Victoria, 1: 101-108.

EPA (2003a) Rapid bioassessment methodology for rivers and streams. Environment Protection Authority, Melbourne, Victoria. http://epanote2.epa.vic.gov.au/EPA/Publications.nsf/PubDocsLU/604.1?OpenDocument

EPA (2003b) State of the environment protection policy (waters of Victoria): Water quality objectives for rivers and streams – ecosystem protection. Environment Protection Authority, Melbourne, Victoria. http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/water/EPA/wov.asp

EPA (2003c) State of the environment protection policy (waters of Victoria): Nutrient objectives for rivers and streams – ecosystem protection. Environment Protection Authority, Melbourne, Victoria. http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/water/EPA/wov.asp

EPA (2004) State of the environment protection policy (waters of Victoria): Biological objectives for river s and streams – ecosystem protection. Environment Protection Authority, Melbourne, Victoria. http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/water/EPA/wov.asp

Koehn, J.D., Doeg, T.J., Harrington, D.J. and Milledge, G.A. (1995) The effects of Dartmouth Dam on the aquatic fauna of the Mitta Mitta River. Murray Darling Basin Commission, Canberra.

Lytle, D.A. and Poff, N.L. (2004) Adaptation to natural flow regimes. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 19: 94-100.

Marchant, R. and Hehir, G. (2002) The use of AusRivAs predictive models to assess the response of lotic macroinvertebrates to dams in south-east Australia. Freshwater Biology 47:1033-1050.

Monitoring River Health Initiative (1994) River Bioassessment Manual. Land and Water Resources

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 57 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007 Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.

Standards Association of Australia (1998) AS/NZS 5667.1:1998 Water quality - Sampling - Guidance on the design of sampling programs, sampling techniques and the preservation and handling of samples. SAI Global, Standards Australia.

Gigney, H. Watson, G. and Baldwin, D. (2007) Interim report on the impact of drought on waterquality in Lake Hume: Effects of low level releases from Dartmouth Dam and sediment sources, deposition and quality in Lake Hume. Report to the Murray Darling Basin Commision. Murray Darling Freshwater Research Centre, Wodonga, unpublished report.

Water ECOscience (2002) Mitta Mitta River Biological Monitoring 2001/2002, River health report. WATER ECOscience Report Number 2722-24092002.

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 58 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

7.0 Appendices

List of appendices Appendix I Site species list and total number of distinct taxa Appendix II Number of distinct taxa within each family at each site Appendix III Simper analysis – Top 10 taxa discriminating between sites - Edge habitat Appendix IV Simper analysis – Top 10 taxa discriminating between sites - Riffle habitat

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 59 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Appendix I – Site species list and total number of distinct taxa

HIGHER TAXA FAMILY GENUS SPECIES S 501 S 502 S 503 S 504 S 505 S 506 S 507 NON INSECTS Cnidaria Hydridae Hydra + + + + Platyhelminthes Dugesiidae + + + + + Platyhelminthes Temnocephalidea Temnocephala + Nematoda + + + + + + + Annelida Glossiphoniidae Glossiphonia + + Annelida Oligochaeta + + + + + + + Mollusca Ancylidae Ferrissia tasmanica + Mollusca Ancylidae Ferrissia petterdi + + + + Mollusca Corbiculidae Corbiculina + + + Mollusca Lymnaeidae Austropeplea lessoni + + + + + Mollusca Physidae Physa acuta + + + + + Mollusca Sphaeriidae Pisidium + + Crustacea Ceinidae/Hyalellidae Austrochiltonia australis + + + Crustacea Neoniphargidae Neoniphargus coolemonensis + Crustacea Janiridae Heterias sp + Crustacea Corallanidae Tacheae cardiophaga + Crustacea Oniscidae Oniscidae sp + Crustacea Atyidae Paratya australiensis + + + + + Crustacea Parastacidae Cherax destructor + + Acarina Aturidae Notoatundae + Acarina Oribatida Hydrozeter lemnae + + Acarina Oribatida Trhypachthoniellus longisetosus + + + Acarina Hygrobatidae Australiobates + + + + + + + Acarina Hygrobatidae Caenobates + + + + Acarina Hygrobatidae Coaustraliobates + + Acarina Hygrobatidae Kallimobates + + + + + + Acarina Hygrobatidae Gondwanobates hopkinsi +

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 60 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

HIGHER TAXA FAMILY GENUS SPECIES S 501 S 502 S 503 S 504 S 505 S 506 S 507 Acarina Hygrobatidae Procorticacaris + + + + + + Acarina Limnesidae Limnesia TC776 + Acarina Limnesidae Limnesia TC 565 + Acarina Mideopsidae Gretacarus + + Acarina Oxidae Flabellifrontipoda + + + + + Acarina Pionidae Piona + Acarina Torrenticolidae TC778 + Acarina Trombidiodea + Acarina Unionicolidae + Collembola Hypogastrurridae + + + + + Collembola Isotomidae + + + + Collembola Sminthuridae + + +

INSECTS Ephemeroptera Ameletopsidae Mirawara + Ephemeroptera Baetidae Bungona + Ephemeroptera Baetidae Centroptilum + + + Ephemeroptera Baetidae Cloeon + Ephemeroptera Baetidae Edmundsiops hickmani + + + + + + Ephemeroptera Baetidae Edmundsiops sp. MV2 + + Ephemeroptera Baetidae Edmundsiops sp. MV6 + + + + + + Ephemeroptera Baetidae Offadens sp + + + + Ephemeroptera Caenidae Irpacaenis deani + + + + + Ephemeroptera Caenidae Irpacaenis sp D + + + Ephemeroptera Caenidae Tasmanocoensis sp B + + + + Ephemeroptera Coloburiscidae Coloburiscoides + + + + + + Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Atalomicria spAV1 + Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Atalophlebia sp.AV2 + Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Atalophlebia sp.AV4 + Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Atalophlebia sp. AV13 + + + Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Atalophlebia sp. AV5 + + +

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 61 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

HIGHER TAXA FAMILY GENUS SPECIES S 501 S 502 S 503 S 504 S 505 S 506 S 507 Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Atalophlebia sp. AV7 + Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Atalophlebia sp. AV9 + + + + + + Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Austrophlebiodes marchanti + + + + + + Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Austrophlebiodes pusillus + + + + + + Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Austrophlebiodes sp. AV2 + Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Garinjuga sp. AV1 + + + Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Koorrnonga sp. AV1 + Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Nousia sp. AV1 + + + + + + + Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Nousia sp. AV2 + + Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Nousia wiltkorringae + Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Ulmerophlebia sp AV1 + Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae Ulmerophlebia sp AV2 + Ephemeroptera Oniscigastridae Tasmanophlebia + + + + + Odonata Coenagrionidae Ischnura aurora + Odonata Coenagrionidae Ischnura heterosticta + + + Odonata Cordulephyidae Cordulephya pygmaea + Odonata Diphlebiidae Diphlebia lestoides/nymphoides + Odonata Gomphidae Austrogomphus cornutus + + Odonata Gomphidae Austrogomphus guerini + + Odonata Gomphidae Hemigomphus gouldii/heteroclytus + + + Odonata Hemicorduliidae Hemicordulia tau + + + + Odonata Hemicorduliidae Orthetrum caledonicum + Odonata Libellulidae Diplacodes bipunctata + + Odonata Megapodagrionidae Austroargiolestes icteromelas/calcaris + + Odonata Synthemistidae Eusynthemis brevistyla + + + + + Odonata Synlestidae Synlestes weyersii + + + Odonata Telephlebiidae Austroaeschna pulchra + + + + Odonata Telephlebiidae Austroaeschna unicornis + + + + Odonata Telephlebiidae Austroaeschna inermis + + Odonata Telephlebiidae Notoaeschna sagittata + + + Plecoptera Austroperlidae Acruroperla atra + +

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 62 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

HIGHER TAXA FAMILY GENUS SPECIES S 501 S 502 S 503 S 504 S 505 S 506 S 507 Plecoptera Austroperlidae Austroheptura illiesi + Plecoptera Eusthenia Cosmioperla kuna + + Plecoptera Eusthenia Eusthenia venosa + Plecoptera Eustheniidae Stenoperla australis Plecoptera Gripopterygidae Dinotoperla brevipennis + + + + Plecoptera Gripopterygidae Dinotoperla cristinae + Plecoptera Gripopterygidae Dinotoperla eucumbena + + Plecoptera Gripopterygidae Dinotoperla fontana + + + + + + + Plecoptera Gripopterygidae Dinotoperla thwaitesi/serricauda + + + + + + + Plecoptera Gripopterygidae Illiesoperla australis complex + + + + + + Plecoptera Gripopterygidae Illiesoperla mayi + + Plecoptera Gripopterygidae Leptoperla longicauda/bifida + + + + + + Plecoptera Gripopterygidae Leptoperla primitiva + + + + + + Plecoptera Gripopterygidae Leptoperla tasmanica + + + + + Plecoptera Gripopterygidae Newnanoperla thoreyi + + + + Plecoptera Gripopterygidae Riekoperla compressa + + + Plecoptera Gripopterygidae Riekoperla karki-reticulata group + + + + Plecoptera Gripopterygidae Riekoperla tuberculata gp + + Plecoptera Gripopterygidae Riekoperla reticulata group + Plecoptera Gripopterygidae Riekoperla rugosa + + + + Plecoptera Gripopterygidae Trinotoperla irrorata + + Plecoptera Gripopterygidae Trinotoperla montana + + + Plecoptera Gripopterygidae Trinotoperla irrorata/montana + + Plecoptera Gripopterygidae Trinotoperla nivata/minor + + Plecoptera Notonemouridae Austrocerca tasmanica + Plecoptera Notonemouridae Austrocerrella/Austrocercoides + + Megaloptera Corydalidae Archichauliodes guttiferus group + + + + + Hemiptera Corixidae Agraptocorixa eurynome + Hemiptera Corixidae Micronecta annae + + + + + + + Hemiptera Corixidae Micronecta gracilis + Hemiptera Corixidae Micronecta australiensis + + + + + +

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 63 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

HIGHER TAXA FAMILY GENUS SPECIES S 501 S 502 S 503 S 504 S 505 S 506 S 507 Hemiptera Corixidae Sigara sublaevifrons + + + Hemiptera Corixidae Sigara truncatipala + Hemiptera Dipsocoridae Cryptostemma + + Hemiptera Hydrometridae Hydrometra strigosa + Hemiptera Gerridae Limnogonus TC756 + Hemiptera Naucoridae Naucoris congrex + + Hemiptera Notonectidae Anisops deani + + Hemiptera Notonectidae Anisops thienemanni + + Hemiptera Notonectidae Anisops hyperion + Hemiptera Notonectidae Enithares woodwardi + + Hemiptera Ochteridae Ochterus bacchusi + Hemiptera Veliidae Drepanovelia dubia + + + + + + Hemiptera Veliidae Microvelia peramoena + + + + Hemiptera Veliidae Microvelia distincta + Hemiptera Veliidae Microvelia fluvialis + + + + + + Neuroptera Nevrorthidae Austroneurorthus bruneipennis + Neuroptera Osmylidae + Coleoptera Carabidae + + Coleoptera Curculionidae + Coleoptera Dytiscidae Allodessus + Coleoptera Dytiscidae Antiporus femoralis + + + + Coleoptera Dytiscidae Chostonectes + Coleoptera Dytiscidae Limbodessus compactus + Coleoptera Dytiscidae Liodessus shuckhardi + Coleoptera Dytiscidae Necterosoma penicillatus + + + Coleoptera Dytiscidae Platynectes + + Coleoptera Dytiscidae Sternopriscus lansardi + Coleoptera Dytiscidae Rhantus + Coleoptera Elmidae Austrolimnius group B L 25E + + Coleoptera Elmidae Austrolimnius spL35E + Coleoptera Elmidae Austrolimnius group B L 58E +

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 64 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

HIGHER TAXA FAMILY GENUS SPECIES S 501 S 502 S 503 S 504 S 505 S 506 S 507 Coleoptera Elmidae Austrolimnius (Helonelmes) L62E + + Coleoptera Elmidae Austrolimnius (Helonelmes) TC 800 + Coleoptera Elmidae Austrolimnius spL64E + + + Coleoptera Elmidae Austrolimnius spL67E + Coleoptera Elmidae Austrolimnius L32E TC 641 + Coleoptera Elmidae Austrolimnius L10E + + + + Coleoptera Elmidae Kingolus flavosignatus + + Coleoptera Elmidae Kingolus tinctus + + + + Coleoptera Elmidae Kingolus L47E + Coleoptera Elmidae Notriolus alynensis + Coleoptera Elmidae Notriolus barretti + Coleoptera Elmidae Notriolus galstonius + + Coleoptera Elmidae Notriolus maculata + + + Coleoptera Elmidae Notriolus setosus + + + + Coleoptera Elmidae Notriolus quadriplagiatus + + + + + + Coleoptera Elmidae Notriolus L57E + + Coleoptera Elmidae Simsonia angusta + + Coleoptera Elmidae Simsonia hopsoni + Coleoptera Elmidae Simsonia leai + Coleoptera Elmidae Simsonia longipes + + + Coleoptera Elmidae Simsonia restita + Coleoptera Elmidae Simsonia vestita/tasmanica + + + Coleoptera Elmidae Simsonia wilsoni + + + Coleoptera Gyrinidae Aulonogyrus + + Coleoptera Hydraenidae Hydraena + + + Coleoptera Hydraenidae Ochthebiinae + + Coleoptera Hydraenidae Limnebius TC567 + Coleoptera Hydrophilidae Berosus involutus + + + Coleoptera Hydrophilidae Heleochares TC812 + Coleoptera Hydrophildae Laccobius + Coleoptera Hydrophilidae Notohydrus TC758 +

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 65 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

HIGHER TAXA FAMILY GENUS SPECIES S 501 S 502 S 503 S 504 S 505 S 506 S 507 Coleoptera Hydrophilidae Paracymus + + + Coleoptera Hydrophilidae Paranacaena TC569 + + Coleoptera Noteridae Neohydrocoptus subfasciatus TC574 + + + Coleoptera Psephenidae Sclerocyphon striatus + + + + + Coleoptera Psephenidae Sclerocyphon maculatus + + Coleoptera Ptilodactylidae Byrrocyprus TC570 + + Coleoptera Ptilodactylidae Byrrocyprus TC804 + Coleoptera Scirtidae TC801 + + Coleoptera Staphylinidae TC617 + + + Diptera Athericidae + + + Diptera Blephariceridae + + Diptera Ceratopogonidae Ceratopogoninae TC478 + + + + + + + Diptera Ceratopogonidae Ceratopogoninae TC514 + + + + + Diptera Ceratopogonidae Ceratopogoninae TC515 + + + Diptera Ceratopogonidae Ceratopogoninae TC517 + Diptera Ceratopogonidae Ceratopogoninae TC526 + + + + Diptera Ceratopogonidae Ceratopogoninae TC529 + + Diptera Ceratopogonidae Ceratopogoninae TC537 + Diptera Ceratopogonidae Certatopogoninae TC527 + + + Diptera Ceratopogonidae Dasyhelea Diptera Ceratopogonidae Forcipomia + Diptera Aphroteniinae* Aphroteniella + Diptera Chironominae* Chironomus + + + + Diptera Chironominae* Cladopelma + Diptera Chironominae* Cladotanytarsus + + + + + + Diptera Chironominae* Cryptochironomus + Diptera Chironominae* Dicrotendipes + + + Diptera Chironominae* Kiefferulus + Diptera Chironominae* Parachironomus + + Diptera Chironominae* Paracladopelma K2 + Diptera Chironominae* Paracladopelma M1 + + + + + +

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 66 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

HIGHER TAXA FAMILY GENUS SPECIES S 501 S 502 S 503 S 504 S 505 S 506 S 507 Diptera Chironominae* Paracladopelma M2 + Diptera Chironominae* Paratanytarsus + + + + + + Diptera Chironominae* Polypedilum + + + + + + + Diptera Chironominae* Rheotanytarsus + + + + + + + Diptera Chironominae* Riethia + + + + + + Diptera Chironominae* Stenochironomus + Diptera Chironominae* Tanytarsus + + + + + + + Diptera Diamesinae* Paraheptagyia tonnoiri + + + + Diptera Orthocladiinae* Austrobrillia + Diptera Orthocladiinae* Botryocladius + + + + + + + Diptera Orthocladiinae* Bryophaenocladius + + Diptera Orthocladiinae* Cardiocladius + + + + + + + Diptera Orthocladiinae* Corynoneura + + + + + + Diptera Orthocladiinae* Cricotopus + + + + + + + Diptera Orthocladinae* Echinocladius + + + + + Diptera Orthocladiinae* Eukiefferiella + + + + + + Diptera Orthocladiinae* "genus Australia" + + + Diptera Orthocladiinae* Gymnometriocnemus sp2 + Diptera Orthocladinae* Lymnophyes? + Diptera Orthocladinae* Nanocladius + + + Diptera Orthocladiinae* Parakiefferiella + + + + + + + Diptera Orthocladiinae* Paralimnophyes + + + Diptera Orthocladiinae* Parametriocnemus + + + + + Diptera Orthocladiinae* Paratrichocladius + + + + Diptera Orthocladiinae* Pirara australiensis + + + + Diptera Orthocladiinae* Rheocricotopus + + + + + Diptera Orthocladiinae* Riethia + + + + + Diptera Orthocladiinae* SO4 + Diptera Orthocladiinae* Stictocladius + + Diptera Orthocladinae* Symbiocladius + Diptera Orthocladiinae* Thienemaniella + + + + + + +

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 67 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

HIGHER TAXA FAMILY GENUS SPECIES S 501 S 502 S 503 S 504 S 505 S 506 S 507 Diptera Podonominae* Podochlus + Diptera Podominae* Podomonopsis + + + Diptera Tanypodinae* Ablabesmyia + + + + + Diptera Tanypodinae* Apsectrotanypus + + + + + Diptera Tanypodinae* Australopelopia + + + + + Diptera Tanypodinae* Nilotanypus + Diptera Tanypodinae* Paramerina + + Diptera Tanypodinae* Procladius + + + + + + Diptera Culicidae + + Diptera Dixidae + + + Diptera Dolichopodidae TC465 + + + + + Diptera Empididae cf SRV sp 7 + + + + Diptera Empididae TC554 + + + + + Diptera Empididae TC556 + + + + + + + Diptera Ephydridae TC424 + + Diptera Psychodidae Psychoda + Diptera Sciaridae TC440 + + Diptera Simuliidae Austrosimulium bancrofti + + + + + Diptera Simuliidae Austrosimulium furiosum + + + + + + Diptera Simuliidae Austrosimulium torrentium + + + + + Diptera Simuliidae Austrosimulium victoriae + + + Diptera Simuliidae Austrosimulium cornutum + Diptera Simuliidae Paracnephia + Diptera Simuliidae Similium ornatipes + + Diptera Simuliidae Similium melatum + + Diptera Stratiomyidae + + Diptera Tabanidae + Diptera Tipulidae cf Antocha MDFRC sp 2 NMV sp 2 + + + + + + + Diptera Tipulidae cf SRV sp 42 + + + + + + Diptera Tipulidae MDFRC sp 8 NMV sp5 + + + + Diptera Tipulidae MDFRC sp 10 + + +

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 68 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

HIGHER TAXA FAMILY GENUS SPECIES S 501 S 502 S 503 S 504 S 505 S 506 S 507 Diptera Tipulidae TC523 + Diptera Tipulidae TC524 + + + Diptera Tipulidae TC528 + + + + + Diptera Tipulidae TC530 + + Diptera Tipulidae TC588 + Diptera Tipulidae TC725 + Diptera Tipulidae TC790 + Trichoptera Atriplectidae Atriplectides dubius + + + Trichoptera Calamoceratidae Anisocentropus sp + + + + Trichoptera Calocidae Caenota plicata + Trichoptera Calocidae Tamasia variegata + + Trichoptera Calocidae Tamasia AV1 + + Trichoptera Calocidae Tamasia acuta + + Trichoptera Conoesucidae Coenoria AV1 + + Trichoptera Conoesucidae Coenoria AV4? + + Trichoptera Conoesucidae Conoesucus AV1 + + Trichoptera Conoesucidae Conoesucus AV5 + + + + + + + Trichoptera Conoesucidae Costora delora + + Trichoptera Conoesucidae Lingora AV1 + + + + + + + Trichoptera Conoesucidae Matasia AV1 + + Trichoptera Conoesucidae Matasia santana + Trichoptera Ecnomidae Ecnomus continentalis + + + + + Trichoptera Ecnomidae Ecnomus deani + + + + Trichoptera Ecnomidae Ecnomus pansus + + + Trichoptera Ecnomidae Ecnomus russellius + Trichoptera Ecnomidae Ecnomus turgidus + Trichoptera Glossosomatidae Agapetus AV1 + + + + + Trichoptera Helicophidae Alloecella grisea + Trichoptera Helicopsychidae Helicopsyche murrumba + + + Trichoptera Helicopsychidae Helicopsyche tillyardi + + Trichoptera Hydrobiosidae Apsilochorema obliquum + + +

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 69 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

HIGHER TAXA FAMILY GENUS SPECIES S 501 S 502 S 503 S 504 S 505 S 506 S 507 Trichoptera Hydrobiosidae Ethochorema turbidum + + Trichoptera Hydrobiosidae Koetonga clivicola + Trichoptera Hydrobiosidae Tanjilana zothecula + + + Trichoptera Hydrobiosidae Taschorema evansi + + + + + + + Trichoptera Hydrobiosidae Ulmerochorema lentum + + + + Trichoptera Hydrobiosidae Ulmerochorema onychion + + + + + Trichoptera Hydrobiosidae Ulmerochorema rubiconum group + + + + + + + Trichoptera Hydropsychidae Asmicridea AV1 + + + + + + Trichoptera Hydropsychidae Cheumatopsyche AV3 + + Trichoptera Hydropsychidae Cheumatopsyche AV4 + + + + + + Trichoptera Hydropsychidae Cheumatopsyche AV6 + + + + + + Trichoptera Hydropsychidae Diplectrona AV1 + Trichoptera Hydroptilidae Hellyethira simplex/malleoforma + + + + + + Trichoptera Hydroptilidae Hydroptila scamandra + + + + + Trichoptera Hydroptilidae Orthotrichia + Trichoptera Hydroptilidae Oxyethira + + + + + + Trichoptera Leptoceridae Condocerus paludosus + + + + + Trichoptera Leptoceridae Lectrides varians + + + + Trichoptera Leptoceridae Leptorussa AV1 + Trichoptera Leptoceridae Notalina bifaria + + + + + + Trichoptera Leptoceridae Notalina ordina + + Trichoptera Leptoceridae Notalina spira + + + + Trichoptera Leptoceridae Notalina fulva + Trichoptera Leptoceridae Oecetis + + + + + Trichoptera Leptoceridae Triaenodes + + + + + Trichoptera Leptoceridae Triplectides australicus + + Trichoptera Leptoceridae Triplectides ciuskus + + + + + + Trichoptera Leptoceridae Triplectides parvus + Trichoptera Leptoceridae Triplectides proximus + + + Trichoptera Leptoceridae Triplectides similis + + + + + + Trichoptera Leptoceridae Triplectides volda +

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 70 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

HIGHER TAXA FAMILY GENUS SPECIES S 501 S 502 S 503 S 504 S 505 S 506 S 507 Trichoptera Leptoceridae Triplectidina nigricornis + Trichoptera Limnephilidae Archaeophylax canarus + + + + Trichoptera Philorheithridae Aphilorheithrus AV3 + + + + Trichoptera Philorheithridae Aphilorheithrus AV4 + Trichoptera Philorheithridae Aphilorheithrus AV5 + Trichoptera Philorheithridae Kosrheithrus sp + + + + Trichoptera Philopotamidae Chimarra monticola + + Trichoptera Philopotamidae Chimarra indeterm + Trichoptera Philopotamidae Hydrobiosella AV7 + + Trichoptera Polycentropodidae Paranyctiophylax AV6 + Trichoptera Polycentropodidae Genus 1 + Trichoptera Tasimiidae Tasimia AV1 + Lepidoptera Pyralidae Nymphulinae sp40 + Lepidoptera Pyralidae TC770 + Lepidoptera Pyralidae TC771 + Lepidoptera Pyralidae TC772 + Total number distinct taxa 85 109 139 144 195 165 190

*subfamily of Chironomidae

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 71 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Appendix II – Number of distinct taxa within each family at each site

HIGHER TAXA FAMILY S 501 S 502 S 503 S 504 S 505 S 506 S 507 NON INSECTS Cnidaria Hydridae 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 Platyhelminthes Tricladida 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 Platyhelminthes Temnocephalidea 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Nematoda Nematoda 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Oligochaeta Oligochaeta 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Annelida Glossiphoniidae 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 Mollusca Ancylidae 0 0 1 1 1 0 2 Mollusca Corbiculidae 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 Mollusca Lymnaeidae 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 Mollusca Physidae 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 Mollusca Sphaeriidae 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 Acarina Aturidae 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Acarina Oribatida 1 1 0 0 1 0 2 Acarina Hygrobatidae 1 3 4 5 5 4 4 Acarina Limnesidae 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 Acarina Mideopsidae 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 Acarina Oxidae 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 Acarina Pionidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Acarina Torrenticolidae 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Acarina Trombidiodea 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Acarina Unionicolidae 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Crustacea Ceinidae/Hyalellidae 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 Crustacea Neoniphargidae 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Crustacea Janiridae 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 Crustacea Corallanidae 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Crustacea Atyidae 1 1 1 1 0 0 1

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 72 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

HIGHER TAXA FAMILY S 501 S 502 S 503 S 504 S 505 S 506 S 507 Crustacea Parastacidae 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Crustacea Oniscidae 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Collembola Hypogastrurridae 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 Collembola Isotomidae 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 Collembola Sminthuridae 1 0 1 0 1 0 0

INSECTS Ephemeroptera Ameletopsidae 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Ephemeroptera Baetidae 0 2 4 3 4 4 6 Ephemeroptera Caenidae 0 2 2 2 2 1 3 Ephemeroptera Coloburiscidae 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 Ephemeroptera Leptophlebiidae 2 6 5 4 10 10 8 Ephemeroptera Oniscigastridae 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 Odonata Coenagrionidae 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 Odonata Cordulephyidae 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Odonata Diphlebiidae 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Odonata Gomphidae 0 0 1 0 2 0 2 Odonata Hemicorduliidae 1 0 1 1 0 0 2 Odonata Libellulidae 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Odonata Megapodagrionidae 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 Odonata Synthemistidae 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 Odonata Synlestidae 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 Odonata Telephlebiidae 0 1 2 1 4 3 2 Plecoptera Austroperlidae 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 Plecoptera Eusthenia 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 Plecoptera Gripopterygidae 2 9 10 12 18 14 8 Plecoptera Notonemouridae 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 Megaloptera Corydalidae 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 Hemiptera Corixidae 2 3 4 2 2 1 5 Hemiptera Dipsocoridae 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 Hemiptera Hydrometridae 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 73 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

HIGHER TAXA FAMILY S 501 S 502 S 503 S 504 S 505 S 506 S 507 Hemiptera Gerridae 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Hemiptera Naucoridae 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Hemiptera Notonectidae 0 0 0 3 0 0 4 Hemiptera Ochteridae 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Hemiptera Veliidae 1 3 3 3 2 3 2 Neuroptera Nevrorthidae 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Neuroptera Osmylidae 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Coleoptera Carabidae 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 Coleoptera Curculionidae 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Coleoptera Dytiscidae 2 3 3 2 0 0 4 Coleoptera Elmidae 0 1 8 8 16 11 12 Coleoptera Gyrinidae 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 Coleoptera Hydraenidae 0 0 1 2 1 1 1 Coleoptera Hydrophilidae 1 0 0 4 1 2 3 Coleoptera Noteridae 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 Coleoptera Psephenidae 0 0 1 1 2 2 1 Coleoptera Ptilodactylidae 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 Coleoptera Scirtidae 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 Coleoptera Staphylinidae 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 Diptera Athericidae 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 Diptera Blephariceridae 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 Diptera Ceratopogonidae 4 4 1 1 6 3 8 Diptera Aphroteniinae* 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Diptera Chironominae* 8 9 10 8 8 6 11 Diptera Diamesinae* 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 Diptera Orthocladiinae* 7 14 16 12 15 13 16 Diptera Podonominae* 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 Diptera Tanypodinae* 1 1 4 4 5 3 6 Diptera Culicidae 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Diptera Dixidae 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 Diptera Dolichopodidae 1 0 1 1 1 1 0

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 74 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

HIGHER TAXA FAMILY S 501 S 502 S 503 S 504 S 505 S 506 S 507 Diptera Empididae 2 2 3 2 3 1 3 Diptera Ephydridae 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Diptera Psychodidae 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 Diptera Sciaridae 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 Diptera Simuliidae 0 5 3 4 5 3 5 Diptera Stratiomyidae 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 Diptera Tabanidae 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Diptera Tipulidae 4 3 4 5 5 7 6 Trichoptera Calamoceratidae 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 Trichoptera Calocidae 0 0 0 0 3 3 1 Trichoptera Conoesucidae 2 2 2 2 7 5 5 Trichoptera Ecnomidae 0 2 2 3 3 1 3 Trichoptera Glossosomatidae 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 Trichoptera Helicophidae 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Trichoptera Helicopsychidae 0 0 1 0 2 2 0 Trichoptera Hydrobiosidae 2 4 4 5 5 7 5 Trichoptera Hydropsychidae 2 3 3 3 4 3 3 Trichoptera Hydroptilidae 3 3 3 3 3 1 2 Trichoptera Leptoceridae 4 4 9 9 9 9 9 Trichoptera Limnephilidae 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 Trichoptera Philorheithridae 0 0 2 2 2 4 0 Trichoptera Philopotamidae 0 0 0 0 1 3 1 Trichoptera Polycentropodidae 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 Trichoptera Tasimiidae 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Lepidoptera Pyralidae 4 0 0 0 0 0 0

*subfamily of Chironomidae

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 75 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Appendix III – Simper analysis – Top 10 taxa discriminating between sites - Edge habitat

SIMPER Similarity Percentages - species contributions

Groups 501 & 502

Average dissimilarity = 77.62

Group 501 Group 502 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Austrosimulium 0.00 1.90 2.79 1.64 3.60 3.60 Dinotoperla 3.10 20.10 2.68 1.39 3.45 7.05 Atalophlebia 0.20 8.10 2.08 1.32 2.68 9.74 Leptoperla 0.00 1.90 2.01 1.10 2.59 12.33 Coloburiscoides 0.00 4.70 1.93 1.10 2.49 14.82 Physa 4.60 6.60 1.82 0.97 2.34 17.16 Micronecta 0.60 2.50 1.80 0.98 2.32 19.48 Austropeplea 2.40 1.10 1.74 1.02 2.24 21.72 Oxyethira 0.00 1.70 1.69 0.91 2.17 23.89 Triplectides 0.90 1.60 1.66 0.92 2.14 26.03

Groups 501 & 503

Average dissimilarity = 82.55

Group 501 Group 503 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Leptoperla 0.00 5.22 2.30 2.35 2.78 2.78 Austrosimulium 0.00 1.78 2.05 1.69 2.49 5.27 Polypedilum 0.20 4.01 2.04 1.40 2.47 7.74 Triplectides 0.90 19.67 1.98 1.54 2.40 10.14 Dinotoperla 3.10 14.56 1.98 1.26 2.40 12.54 Microvelia 0.00 2.89 1.88 1.25 2.28 14.82 Tanytarsus 0.50 3.17 1.85 1.27 2.24 17.05 Coloburiscoides 0.00 4.89 1.68 1.33 2.03 19.09 Tasmanophlebia 0.00 3.67 1.67 1.02 2.02 21.10 Atalophlebia 0.20 4.78 1.63 1.26 1.97 23.08

Groups 502 & 503

Average dissimilarity = 59.82

Group 502 Group 503 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Tanytarsus 0.20 3.17 1.55 1.50 2.60 2.60 Polypedilum 3.40 4.01 1.37 1.18 2.29 4.89 Tasmanophlebia 0.00 3.67 1.32 1.07 2.20 7.09 Microvelia 1.10 2.89 1.18 1.02 1.97 9.06 Flabellifrontipoda 2.10 1.89 1.13 1.05 1.89 10.95 Triplectides 1.60 19.67 1.12 0.97 1.87 12.82 Lingora 2.70 6.11 1.11 0.98 1.86 14.68 Notalina 4.50 3.11 1.10 0.97 1.84 16.52 Cheumatopsyche 3.90 2.33 1.10 1.05 1.83 18.36 Rheotanytarsus 0.70 2.37 1.09 1.02 1.83 20.18

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 76 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Groups 501 & 504

Average dissimilarity = 82.15

Group 501 Group 504 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Polypedilum 0.20 5.45 2.56 2.41 3.11 3.11 Irpacaenis 0.00 2.70 2.24 1.75 2.73 5.84 Triaenodes 0.00 7.00 2.20 1.76 2.68 8.52 Triplectides 0.90 10.90 2.17 1.55 2.64 11.16 Tanytarsus 0.50 4.26 2.17 1.55 2.64 13.80 Microvelia 0.00 3.50 1.97 1.39 2.40 16.20 Rheotanytarsus 0.00 1.21 1.71 1.15 2.08 18.28 Dinotoperla 3.10 11.80 1.64 1.12 2.00 20.28 Micronecta 0.60 18.70 1.51 1.06 1.84 22.12 Oecetis 0.00 1.60 1.48 0.94 1.80 23.92

Groups 502 & 504

Average dissimilarity = 65.03

Group 502 Group 504 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Tanytarsus 0.20 4.26 1.83 1.97 2.82 2.82 Triaenodes 0.00 7.00 1.78 1.88 2.73 5.55 Polypedilum 3.40 5.45 1.59 1.45 2.45 8.00 Austrosimulium 1.90 0.70 1.41 1.22 2.17 10.17 Rheotanytarsus 0.70 1.21 1.23 1.05 1.89 12.06 Coloburiscoides 4.70 0.20 1.22 1.09 1.88 13.94 Microvelia 1.10 3.50 1.21 1.05 1.86 15.80 Atalophlebia 8.10 2.40 1.19 1.06 1.83 17.64 Irpacaenis 4.30 2.70 1.18 0.97 1.81 19.45 Leptoperla 1.90 2.50 1.17 1.01 1.80 21.25

Groups 503 & 504

Average dissimilarity = 57.55

Group 503 Group 504 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Austrosimulium 1.78 0.70 1.17 1.21 2.04 2.04 Leptoperla 5.22 2.50 1.13 1.14 1.97 4.01 Coloburiscoides 4.89 0.20 1.12 1.20 1.95 5.95 Tasmanophlebia 3.67 1.80 1.03 1.01 1.79 7.74 Atalophlebia 4.78 2.40 1.02 1.04 1.77 9.51 Triaenodes 2.44 7.00 1.01 1.04 1.76 11.27 Notalina 3.11 0.90 1.01 1.04 1.75 13.02 Procladius 0.33 0.81 0.99 0.97 1.71 14.73 Oecetis 2.67 1.60 0.97 0.96 1.69 16.42 Flabellifrontipoda 1.89 0.40 0.97 1.00 1.69 18.11

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 77 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Groups 501 & 505

Average dissimilarity = 88.10

Group 501 Group 505 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Triplectides 0.90 16.10 1.82 1.79 2.07 2.07 Nousia 0.10 3.80 1.81 1.85 2.05 4.12 Austrosimulium 0.00 9.70 1.73 1.73 1.97 6.08 Coloburiscoides 0.00 6.00 1.73 1.73 1.97 8.05 Leptoperla 0.00 12.20 1.65 1.83 1.88 9.93 Conoesucus 0.00 8.70 1.59 1.39 1.80 11.73 Anisocentropus sp 0.00 3.70 1.59 1.39 1.80 13.53 Dinotoperla 3.10 23.20 1.54 1.30 1.75 15.28 Notriolus 0.00 1.60 1.54 1.38 1.75 17.03 Tanytarsus 0.50 2.00 1.53 1.34 1.73 18.77

Groups 502 & 505

Average dissimilarity = 71.42

Group 502 Group 505 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Nousia 0.10 3.80 1.50 1.96 2.10 2.10 Physa 6.60 0.00 1.42 1.89 1.98 4.08 Tanytarsus 0.20 2.00 1.35 1.58 1.89 5.97 Anisocentropus sp 0.00 3.70 1.33 1.44 1.86 7.83 Notriolus 0.00 1.60 1.30 1.44 1.81 9.64 Austroliminius 0.00 1.40 1.28 1.44 1.80 11.44 Conoesucus 0.10 8.70 1.25 1.32 1.74 13.18 Acruroperla 0.00 1.10 1.22 1.47 1.71 14.89 Simsonia 0.00 1.40 1.22 1.47 1.70 16.59 Edmundsiops 0.20 2.80 1.20 1.32 1.68 18.26

Groups 503 & 505

Average dissimilarity = 63.52

Group 503 Group 505 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Nousia 0.56 3.80 1.32 1.92 2.08 2.08 Anisocentropus sp 0.00 3.70 1.16 1.45 1.83 3.91 Certatopogoninae 0.11 1.90 1.15 1.59 1.82 5.73 Micronecta 14.11 3.10 1.11 1.34 1.74 7.47 Acruroperla 0.00 1.10 1.08 1.47 1.70 9.18 Simsonia 0.00 1.40 1.08 1.47 1.70 10.87 Physa 5.67 0.00 1.08 1.35 1.69 12.57 Austroliminius 0.22 1.40 1.07 1.31 1.68 14.25 Notriolus 0.22 1.60 1.01 1.20 1.59 15.84 Conoesucus 0.44 8.70 1.00 1.20 1.57 17.41

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 78 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Groups 504 & 505

Average dissimilarity = 69.57

Group 504 Group 505 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Nousia 0.50 3.80 1.35 2.00 1.94 1.94 Notalina 0.90 13.80 1.21 1.61 1.74 3.68 Anisocentropus sp 0.00 3.70 1.18 1.46 1.70 5.38 Certatopogoninae 0.20 1.90 1.18 1.64 1.69 7.07 Austroliminius 0.00 1.40 1.15 1.45 1.65 8.72 Triaenodes 7.00 1.10 1.14 1.41 1.64 10.36 Micronecta 18.70 3.10 1.14 1.40 1.63 11.99 Coloburiscoides 0.20 6.00 1.12 1.39 1.61 13.60 Acruroperla 0.00 1.10 1.09 1.48 1.57 15.18 Austrophlebiodes 0.10 1.90 1.07 1.33 1.54 16.72

Groups 501 & 506

Average dissimilarity = 89.57

Group 501 Group 506 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Scirtidae 0.00 9.90 2.42 5.71 2.70 2.70 Nousia 0.10 10.90 2.22 2.64 2.48 5.17 Dixidae 0.00 11.30 2.20 2.62 2.45 7.63 Apsectrotanypus 0.00 4.30 2.16 2.62 2.41 10.03 Triplectides 0.90 16.60 2.01 1.89 2.24 12.28 Coloburiscoides 0.00 4.00 1.94 1.86 2.16 14.44 Acruroperla 0.00 0.90 1.93 1.85 2.16 16.60 Dinotoperla 3.10 5.30 1.84 1.49 2.05 18.66 Drepanovelia 0.10 4.70 1.79 1.58 2.00 20.65 Tamasia 0.00 1.80 1.74 1.45 1.94 22.59 Groups 502 & 506

Average dissimilarity = 74.82

Group 502 Group 506 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Dixidae 0.00 11.30 1.82 2.81 2.43 2.43 Nousia 0.10 10.90 1.80 2.79 2.41 4.84 Apsectrotanypus 0.00 4.30 1.79 2.81 2.40 7.24 Scirtidae 0.10 9.90 1.77 2.84 2.37 9.61 Acruroperla 0.00 0.90 1.61 1.93 2.15 11.75 Physa 6.60 0.00 1.54 1.96 2.05 13.80 Tamasia 0.00 1.80 1.43 1.49 1.92 15.72 Condocerus 0.00 6.70 1.41 1.49 1.88 17.60 Drepanovelia 0.50 4.70 1.39 1.42 1.86 19.46 Micronecta 2.50 0.20 1.22 1.25 1.64 21.10

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 79 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Groups 503 & 506

Average dissimilarity = 69.81

Group 503 Group 506 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Dixidae 0.00 11.30 1.59 2.77 2.28 2.28 Scirtidae 0.11 9.90 1.58 2.64 2.27 4.55 Nousia 0.56 10.90 1.58 2.63 2.26 6.81 Acruroperla 0.00 0.90 1.40 1.91 2.01 8.82 Drepanovelia 0.11 4.70 1.29 1.60 1.84 10.66 Apsectrotanypus 0.33 4.30 1.29 1.56 1.84 12.50 Tamasia 0.00 1.80 1.25 1.48 1.79 14.29 Micronecta 14.11 0.20 1.18 1.37 1.69 15.98 Condocerus 0.67 6.70 1.16 1.34 1.66 17.64 Physa 5.67 0.00 1.16 1.37 1.66 19.30

Groups 504 & 506

Average dissimilarity = 74.27

Group 504 Group 506 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Nousia 0.50 10.90 1.62 2.85 2.18 2.18 Dixidae 0.00 11.30 1.61 2.85 2.17 4.35 Scirtidae 0.20 9.90 1.45 1.95 1.96 6.30 Acruroperla 0.00 0.90 1.42 1.94 1.91 8.22 Triaenodes 7.00 0.00 1.41 1.94 1.90 10.12 Notalina 0.90 32.70 1.41 1.95 1.90 12.02 Apsectrotanypus 0.21 4.30 1.31 1.64 1.77 13.79 Tamasia 0.00 1.80 1.27 1.49 1.71 15.50 Drepanovelia 0.30 4.70 1.24 1.43 1.67 17.16 Coloburiscoides 0.20 4.00 1.22 1.43 1.64 18.81

Groups 505 & 506

Average dissimilarity = 55.60

Group 505 Group 506 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Dixidae 0.40 11.30 1.14 1.63 2.05 2.05 Drepanovelia 0.70 4.70 1.04 1.41 1.87 3.92 Tamasia 0.30 1.80 0.90 1.15 1.62 5.53 Notriolus 1.60 0.50 0.89 1.15 1.60 7.13 Austrophlebiodes 1.90 1.50 0.88 1.15 1.57 8.71 Certatopogoninae 1.90 0.40 0.85 1.11 1.52 10.23 Aphilorheithrus 0.40 2.70 0.84 1.10 1.51 11.75 Tanytarsus 2.00 0.60 0.84 1.10 1.51 13.25 Anisocentropus sp 3.70 1.10 0.83 1.06 1.50 14.75 Cricotopus 6.00 0.60 0.83 1.06 1.49 16.24

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 80 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Groups 501 & 507

Average dissimilarity = 81.99

Group 501 Group 507 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Atalophlebia 0.20 31.40 2.06 2.69 2.51 2.51 Polypedilum 0.20 4.56 2.03 2.61 2.47 4.98 Tasmanocoensis 0.00 7.10 1.98 2.58 2.42 7.40 Triplectides 0.90 26.20 1.83 1.88 2.24 9.63 Microvelia 0.00 5.30 1.80 1.85 2.20 11.83 Dixidae 0.00 7.20 1.80 1.85 2.20 14.04 Apsectrotanypus 0.00 3.01 1.59 1.45 1.94 15.98 Synlestes 0.10 8.10 1.53 1.33 1.87 17.85 Tanytarsus 0.50 5.72 1.51 1.41 1.85 19.69 Certatopogoninae 1.10 5.80 1.41 1.18 1.72 21.41

Groups 502 & 507

Average dissimilarity = 68.72

Group 502 Group 507 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Dixidae 0.00 7.20 1.52 1.92 2.20 2.20 Tasmanocoensis 0.10 7.10 1.50 2.04 2.18 4.39 Tanytarsus 0.20 5.72 1.35 1.64 1.96 6.34 Synlestes 0.00 8.10 1.34 1.49 1.95 8.29 Apsectrotanypus 0.00 3.01 1.34 1.48 1.94 10.24 Polypedilum 3.40 4.56 1.32 1.48 1.92 12.16 Certatopogoninae 0.60 5.80 1.31 1.49 1.91 14.06 Austrosimulium 1.90 0.70 1.27 1.41 1.84 15.91 Centroptilum 0.00 4.70 1.16 1.20 1.68 17.59 Dinotoperla 20.10 5.30 1.13 1.19 1.64 19.23

Groups 503 & 507

Average dissimilarity = 62.38

Group 503 Group 507 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Certatopogoninae 0.11 5.80 1.48 2.62 2.37 2.37 Dixidae 0.00 7.20 1.33 1.91 2.14 4.50 Tasmanocoensis 0.67 7.10 1.20 1.55 1.92 6.42 Synlestes 0.00 8.10 1.18 1.48 1.89 8.31 Austrosimulium 1.78 0.70 1.08 1.38 1.73 10.03 Leptoperla 5.22 0.30 1.06 1.34 1.70 11.74 Coloburiscoides 4.89 0.00 1.05 1.39 1.68 13.42 Apsectrotanypus 0.33 3.01 1.03 1.22 1.65 15.07 Dinotoperla 14.56 5.30 0.96 1.14 1.54 16.61 Nousia 0.56 5.10 0.93 1.14 1.50 18.11

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 81 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Groups 504 & 507

Average dissimilarity = 62.02

Group 504 Group 507 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Certatopogoninae 0.20 5.80 1.51 2.83 2.44 2.44 Dixidae 0.00 7.20 1.35 1.93 2.18 4.62 Synlestes 0.00 8.10 1.19 1.49 1.92 6.54 Apsectrotanypus 0.21 3.01 1.05 1.25 1.69 8.23 Triaenodes 7.00 0.40 1.04 1.25 1.68 9.91 Irpacaenis 2.70 1.10 1.03 1.25 1.67 11.58 Centroptilum 0.00 4.70 1.03 1.20 1.66 13.24 Atalophlebia 2.40 31.40 1.01 1.20 1.63 14.87 Tasmanocoensis 2.30 7.10 0.98 1.15 1.58 16.44 Taschorema 0.10 1.50 0.95 1.16 1.54 17.98 Groups 505 & 507

Average dissimilarity = 65.89

Group 505 Group 507 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Physa 0.00 8.20 1.43 7.82 2.18 2.18 Tasmanocoensis 0.00 7.10 1.29 2.76 1.95 4.13 Micronecta 3.10 21.30 1.16 1.91 1.75 5.89 Coloburiscoides 6.00 0.00 1.14 1.90 1.72 7.61 Synlestes 0.00 8.10 1.03 1.48 1.56 9.17 Dixidae 0.40 7.20 0.99 1.41 1.50 10.67 Austrophlebiodes 1.90 0.00 0.98 1.47 1.49 12.16 Conoesucus 8.70 0.10 0.96 1.35 1.46 13.62 Austrosimulium 9.70 0.70 0.96 1.41 1.46 15.09 Anisocentropus sp 3.70 0.10 0.96 1.35 1.46 16.55

Groups 506 & 507

Average dissimilarity = 69.52

Group 506 Group 507 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Physa 0.00 8.20 1.53 12.49 2.21 2.21 Tasmanocoensis 0.10 7.10 1.25 2.09 1.80 4.00 Drepanovelia 4.70 0.00 1.23 1.96 1.77 5.78 Coloburiscoides 4.00 0.00 1.23 1.96 1.77 7.55 Atalophlebia 0.20 31.40 1.23 1.96 1.77 9.31 Acruroperla 0.90 0.00 1.23 1.96 1.77 11.08 Micronecta 0.20 21.30 1.21 1.96 1.75 12.83 Scirtidae 9.90 0.40 1.10 1.51 1.59 14.41 Tamasia 1.80 0.00 1.09 1.50 1.57 15.98 Microvelia 0.50 5.30 1.05 1.44 1.51 17.49

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 82 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Appendix IV – Simper analysis – Top 10 taxa discriminating between sites - Riffle habitat

SIMPER Similarity Percentages - species contributions

Groups 501 & 502

Average dissimilarity = 64.01

Group 501 Group 502 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Coloburiscoides 0.00 45.71 2.60 5.69 4.06 4.06 Austrosimulium 0.00 17.86 2.19 2.18 3.42 7.48 Edmundsiops 0.00 10.00 2.19 2.18 3.42 10.90 Dicrotendipes 1.00 0.00 1.63 1.33 2.55 13.45 Nymphulinae 0.67 0.00 1.63 1.33 2.55 15.99 Austrophlebiodes 0.33 6.29 1.57 1.10 2.45 18.44 Ulmerochorema 0.67 9.00 1.56 1.19 2.44 20.88 Austropeplea 0.67 0.14 1.56 1.19 2.43 23.32 Hydra sp. 2.67 0.14 1.55 1.21 2.42 25.74 Dinotoperla 11.00 4.71 1.54 1.10 2.41 28.15

Groups 501 & 504

Average dissimilarity = 65.07

Group 501 Group 504 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Edmundsiops 0.00 19.88 2.40 6.45 3.68 3.68 Coloburiscoides 0.00 35.75 2.40 6.45 3.68 7.37 Austroliminius 0.00 1.75 2.11 2.37 3.24 10.61 Austrosimulium 0.00 29.00 2.11 2.37 3.24 13.85 Procorticacaris 0.00 5.63 1.82 1.62 2.80 16.65 Tasmanocoensis 0.00 1.38 1.74 1.64 2.67 19.32 Austrophlebiodes 0.33 14.13 1.73 1.36 2.65 21.97 Agapetus 0.00 1.38 1.72 1.64 2.64 24.61 Austropeplea 0.67 0.00 1.56 1.33 2.39 27.01 Hydra sp. 2.67 0.00 1.51 1.34 2.32 29.33

Groups 502 & 504

Average dissimilarity = 52.08

Group 502 Group 504 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Austroliminius 0.14 1.75 1.63 1.75 3.13 3.13 Agapetus 0.00 1.38 1.50 1.68 2.87 6.01 Tasmanocoensis 0.43 1.38 1.39 1.42 2.67 8.68 Paratanytarsus 0.00 2.01 1.23 1.26 2.36 11.04 Thienemaniella 0.43 1.70 1.18 1.17 2.27 13.31 Asmicridea 8.43 0.13 1.18 1.09 2.26 15.57 Procorticacaris 0.57 5.63 1.15 1.05 2.20 17.77 Dugesiidae 3.00 1.25 1.15 1.09 2.20 19.97 Lingora 0.86 3.75 1.12 1.05 2.15 22.12 Nematoda (Unidentified) 1.00 1.38 1.12 1.08 2.15 24.27

Groups 501 & 503

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 83 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Average dissimilarity = 69.67

Group 501 Group 503 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Edmundsiops 0.00 20.29 2.52 7.01 3.61 3.61 Coloburiscoides 0.00 29.29 2.52 7.01 3.61 7.23 Dinotoperla 11.00 0.14 2.13 2.25 3.06 10.29 Austrophlebiodes 0.33 53.57 1.82 1.37 2.61 12.90 Austroliminius 0.00 1.57 1.79 1.49 2.58 15.47 Austrosimulium 0.00 7.71 1.76 1.49 2.52 18.00 Austropeplea 0.67 0.00 1.63 1.33 2.34 20.34 Hydra sp. 2.67 0.00 1.58 1.34 2.27 22.61 Dicrotendipes 1.00 0.00 1.58 1.34 2.27 24.88 Nymphulinae 0.67 0.00 1.58 1.34 2.27 27.16

Groups 502 & 503

Average dissimilarity = 58.05

Group 502 Group 503 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Austroliminius 0.14 1.57 1.43 1.34 2.46 2.46 Dugesiidae 3.00 1.14 1.26 1.17 2.17 4.63 Cardiocladius 7.57 5.00 1.23 1.08 2.11 6.74 Archichauliodes 1.29 0.00 1.22 1.13 2.10 8.84 Asmicridea 8.43 0.14 1.21 1.09 2.09 10.93 Australiobates 0.14 4.43 1.20 1.08 2.06 13.00 Sclerocyphon 0.14 0.86 1.18 1.08 2.04 15.04 Thienemaniella 0.43 2.18 1.16 1.08 2.00 17.04 cf Antocha MDFRC sp 2 NMV sp 2 0.86 0.43 1.15 1.04 1.98 19.02 Notalina 0.29 1.43 1.15 1.04 1.98 21.00

Groups 504 & 503

Average dissimilarity = 51.73

Group 504 Group 503 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Tasmanocoensis 1.38 0.14 1.35 1.43 2.60 2.60 Dinotoperla 7.63 0.14 1.17 1.17 2.26 4.86 Nematoda (Unidentified) 1.38 0.29 1.16 1.18 2.25 7.11 Paratanytarsus 2.01 0.43 1.15 1.18 2.22 9.33 Sclerocyphon 0.13 0.86 1.11 1.09 2.15 11.48 Cardiocladius 2.53 5.00 1.11 1.05 2.14 13.63 Australiobates 2.00 4.43 1.09 1.05 2.10 15.73 Agapetus 1.38 3.71 1.08 1.06 2.09 17.82 Notalina 0.50 1.43 1.06 1.02 2.04 19.86 Illiesoperla 2.75 0.86 1.01 0.98 1.96 21.82

Groups 501 & 505

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 84 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Average dissimilarity = 74.38

Group 501 Group 505 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Austrosimulium 0.00 16.33 2.06 5.17 2.77 2.77 Coloburiscoides 0.00 16.78 2.06 5.17 2.77 5.54 Sclerocyphon 0.00 4.89 1.82 2.39 2.44 7.98 Austroliminius 0.00 11.22 1.82 2.39 2.44 10.43 Edmundsiops 0.00 19.22 1.78 2.45 2.39 12.81 Triplectides 0.00 1.44 1.67 1.71 2.24 15.05 Agapetus 0.00 6.44 1.60 1.68 2.15 17.20 Lingora 3.33 0.67 1.59 1.70 2.14 19.34 Athericidae 0.00 3.33 1.57 1.70 2.12 21.46 Helicopsyche 0.00 2.44 1.42 1.31 1.91 23.37

Groups 502 & 505

Average dissimilarity = 61.73

Group 502 Group 505 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Triplectides 0.00 1.44 1.46 1.76 2.36 2.36 Sclerocyphon 0.14 4.89 1.43 1.76 2.32 4.68 Austroliminius 0.14 11.22 1.43 1.76 2.32 6.99 Agapetus 0.00 6.44 1.41 1.74 2.28 9.27 Athericidae 0.00 3.33 1.39 1.75 2.25 11.51 Dugesiidae 3.00 0.00 1.26 1.50 2.05 13.56 Helicopsyche 0.00 2.44 1.24 1.35 2.01 15.57 Simsonia 0.00 2.00 1.17 1.36 1.90 17.48 Notalina 0.29 4.89 1.01 1.11 1.63 19.11 Leptoperla 0.00 1.78 1.01 1.09 1.63 20.74

Groups 504 & 505

Average dissimilarity = 58.09

Group 504 Group 505 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Triplectides 0.00 1.44 1.38 1.78 2.37 2.37 Sclerocyphon 0.13 4.89 1.36 1.84 2.34 4.71 Athericidae 0.00 3.33 1.31 1.77 2.26 6.97 Tasmanocoensis 1.38 0.00 1.25 1.66 2.16 9.13 Helicopsyche 0.00 2.44 1.17 1.36 2.02 11.15 Lingora 3.75 0.67 1.08 1.28 1.86 13.01 Nematoda (Unidentified) 1.38 0.00 1.05 1.25 1.80 14.81 Procorticacaris 5.63 1.78 1.04 1.15 1.79 16.60 Thienemaniella 1.70 0.00 1.04 1.25 1.78 18.39 Archichauliodes 0.38 1.78 1.00 1.15 1.72 20.10

Groups 503 & 505

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 85 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Average dissimilarity = 58.35

Group 503 Group 505 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Triplectides 0.00 1.44 1.43 1.78 2.45 2.45 Athericidae 0.00 3.33 1.36 1.77 2.33 4.78 Archichauliodes 0.00 1.78 1.17 1.36 2.01 6.79 Helicopsyche 0.14 2.44 1.13 1.23 1.93 8.72 Simsonia 0.14 2.00 1.07 1.24 1.84 10.56 Conoesucus 0.57 4.56 1.01 1.12 1.73 12.29 Thienemaniella 2.18 0.00 0.99 1.12 1.70 13.99 Cardiocladius 5.00 5.22 0.98 1.05 1.68 15.67 Agapetus 3.71 6.44 0.96 1.05 1.65 17.32 Lingora 1.57 0.67 0.96 1.05 1.64 18.96

Groups 507 & 505

Average dissimilarity = 58.19

Group 507 Group 505 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Hemigomphus 3.20 0.22 1.22 1.78 2.09 2.09 Athericidae 0.00 3.33 1.16 1.77 1.99 4.09 Helicopsyche 0.00 2.44 1.03 1.36 1.77 5.86 Nousia 17.30 0.56 1.01 1.36 1.74 7.60 Thienemaniella 1.40 0.00 0.93 1.18 1.59 9.19 Eusynthemis 3.40 0.22 0.93 1.22 1.59 10.78 Lingora 10.90 0.67 0.90 1.21 1.55 12.33 Tasmanocoensis 2.60 0.00 0.88 1.19 1.51 13.84 Polypedilum 1.60 0.00 0.87 1.19 1.50 15.34 Conoesucus 2.00 4.56 0.86 1.11 1.48 16.81 Groups 501 & 506

Average dissimilarity = 80.75

Group 501 Group 506 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Sclerocyphon 0.00 3.30 1.85 6.45 2.29 2.29 Austroliminius 0.00 13.50 1.85 6.45 2.29 4.58 Austrosimulium 0.00 3.20 1.85 6.45 2.29 6.86 Edmundsiops 0.00 26.60 1.85 6.45 2.29 9.15 Asmicridea 0.00 3.00 1.85 6.45 2.29 11.44 Archichauliodes 0.00 2.90 1.85 6.45 2.29 13.73 Costora 0.00 3.40 1.68 2.65 2.07 15.80 Lingora 3.33 0.30 1.66 2.64 2.06 17.86 Cosmioperla 0.00 6.40 1.66 2.64 2.06 19.92 Nousia 0.00 7.20 1.65 2.64 2.05 21.96

Groups 502 & 506

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 86 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Average dissimilarity = 67.68

Group 502 Group 506 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Costora 0.00 3.40 1.49 2.75 2.21 2.21 Taschorema 0.00 6.40 1.49 2.74 2.20 4.41 Cosmioperla 0.00 6.40 1.48 2.74 2.19 6.60 Tamasia 0.00 4.50 1.47 2.74 2.18 8.78 Sclerocyphon 0.14 3.30 1.44 2.32 2.13 10.91 Austroliminius 0.14 13.50 1.44 2.32 2.13 13.04 Trinotoperla 0.00 6.20 1.35 1.92 2.00 15.04 Simsonia 0.00 3.70 1.31 1.90 1.94 16.98 Triplectides 0.00 3.60 1.31 1.94 1.93 18.91 Byrrocyprus 0.00 4.20 1.30 1.90 1.93 20.84

Groups 504 & 506

Average dissimilarity = 62.45

Group 504 Group 506 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Costora 0.00 3.40 1.42 2.78 2.27 2.27 Cosmioperla 0.00 6.40 1.41 2.78 2.26 4.53 Nousia 0.00 7.20 1.40 2.78 2.24 6.77 Tamasia 0.00 4.50 1.40 2.78 2.24 9.02 Sclerocyphon 0.13 3.30 1.38 2.49 2.21 11.23 Asmicridea 0.13 3.00 1.37 2.49 2.20 13.43 Trinotoperla 0.00 6.20 1.28 1.93 2.06 15.49 Triplectides 0.00 3.60 1.24 1.95 1.99 17.49 Byrrocyprus 0.00 4.20 1.24 1.91 1.99 19.47 Archichauliodes 0.38 2.90 1.18 1.67 1.89 21.36

Groups 503 & 506

Average dissimilarity = 63.54

Group 503 Group 506 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Archichauliodes 0.00 2.90 1.62 8.82 2.55 2.55 Costora 0.00 3.40 1.47 2.80 2.31 4.85 Cosmioperla 0.00 6.40 1.46 2.79 2.29 7.15 Tamasia 0.00 4.50 1.45 2.79 2.28 9.43 Dinotoperla 0.14 6.00 1.38 2.33 2.17 11.59 Asmicridea 0.14 3.00 1.37 2.34 2.16 13.75 Triplectides 0.00 3.60 1.29 1.96 2.02 15.77 Byrrocyprus 0.00 4.20 1.28 1.92 2.02 17.79 Nousia 0.57 7.20 1.27 1.84 2.00 19.79 Trinotoperla 0.29 6.20 1.17 1.54 1.84 21.63

Groups 507 & 506

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 87 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Average dissimilarity = 61.31

Group 507 Group 506 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Hemigomphus 3.20 0.00 1.40 7.89 2.28 2.28 Cosmioperla 0.00 6.40 1.26 2.76 2.05 4.33 Trinotoperla 0.00 6.20 1.14 1.92 1.86 6.19 Tamasia 0.10 4.50 1.14 2.03 1.86 8.06 Dinotoperla 3.00 6.00 1.12 1.91 1.82 9.88 Byrrocyprus 0.00 4.20 1.11 1.91 1.81 11.69 Costora 1.30 3.40 1.06 1.63 1.72 13.41 Eusynthemis 3.40 0.00 0.98 1.49 1.60 15.01 Scirtidae 0.00 4.30 0.98 1.48 1.59 16.60 Austroneurorthus 0.00 2.80 0.95 1.49 1.54 18.14

Groups 505 & 506

Average dissimilarity = 52.15

Group 505 Group 506 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Costora 0.00 3.40 1.28 2.71 2.45 2.45 Cosmioperla 0.78 6.40 1.04 1.55 2.00 4.45 Nousia 0.56 7.20 1.02 1.54 1.95 6.39 Cardiocladius 5.22 2.00 0.96 1.37 1.84 8.24 Austroneurorthus 0.00 2.80 0.95 1.48 1.83 10.07 Byrrocyprus 0.22 4.20 0.95 1.36 1.83 11.89 Athericidae 3.33 0.20 0.95 1.37 1.81 13.71 Asmicridea 0.44 3.00 0.92 1.37 1.76 15.47 Podomonopsis 0.00 4.20 0.83 1.18 1.60 17.07 Scirtidae 1.67 4.30 0.82 1.11 1.57 18.64

Groups 501 & 507

Average dissimilarity = 72.92

Group 501 Group 507 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Hemigomphus 0.00 3.20 2.03 6.03 2.78 2.78 Sclerocyphon 0.00 7.10 1.82 2.60 2.49 5.27 Agapetus 0.00 5.10 1.80 2.61 2.47 7.75 Austroliminius 0.00 7.00 1.80 2.61 2.47 10.22 Coloburiscoides 0.00 7.40 1.80 2.61 2.47 12.70 Nousia 0.00 17.30 1.63 1.84 2.23 14.93 Dinotoperla 11.00 3.00 1.62 1.83 2.23 17.15 Triplectides 0.00 1.90 1.55 1.88 2.13 19.28 Eusynthemis 0.00 3.40 1.42 1.47 1.95 21.24 Edmundsiops 0.00 12.70 1.42 1.43 1.95 23.18

Groups 502 & 507

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 88 Mitta Mitta Monitoring Program – Project Report 2007

Average dissimilarity = 61.97

Group 502 Group 507 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Hemigomphus 0.00 3.20 1.79 7.22 2.88 2.88 Agapetus 0.00 5.10 1.59 2.72 2.57 5.46 Taschorema 0.00 12.80 1.43 1.89 2.31 7.77 Sclerocyphon 0.14 7.10 1.43 1.83 2.31 10.08 Austroliminius 0.14 7.00 1.42 1.83 2.30 12.38 Triplectides 0.00 1.90 1.38 1.92 2.22 14.60 Nousia 0.14 17.30 1.27 1.52 2.05 16.65 Eusynthemis 0.00 3.40 1.26 1.49 2.03 18.67 Dugesiidae 3.00 0.30 1.10 1.26 1.78 20.45 Thienemaniella 0.43 1.40 1.04 1.12 1.67 22.13

Groups 504 & 507

Average dissimilarity = 55.78

Group 504 Group 507 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Hemigomphus 0.00 3.20 1.69 7.97 3.03 3.03 Sclerocyphon 0.13 7.10 1.36 1.91 2.44 5.48 Nousia 0.00 17.30 1.36 1.91 2.43 7.91 Triplectides 0.00 1.90 1.31 1.93 2.34 10.25 Eusynthemis 0.00 3.40 1.19 1.50 2.13 12.39 Paratanytarsus 2.01 0.60 0.98 1.20 1.75 14.14 Atalophlebia 0.00 1.20 0.97 1.20 1.74 15.88 Taschorema 0.50 12.80 0.96 1.14 1.73 17.61 Dinotoperla 7.63 3.00 0.96 1.13 1.72 19.33 Notriolus 0.25 2.60 0.95 1.14 1.71 21.04

Groups 503 & 507

Average dissimilarity = 59.37

Group 503 Group 507 Species Av.Abund Av.Abund Av.Diss Diss/SD Contrib% Cum.% Triplectides 0.00 1.90 1.35 1.94 2.28 2.28 Nousia 0.57 17.30 1.26 1.53 2.12 4.40 Hemigomphus 0.29 3.20 1.24 1.53 2.10 6.50 Eusynthemis 0.00 3.40 1.23 1.50 2.08 8.57 Tanytarsus 0.00 3.20 1.01 1.20 1.71 10.28 Australiobates 4.43 0.00 1.01 1.13 1.70 11.97 Atalophlebia 0.00 1.20 1.01 1.20 1.69 13.67 Polypedilum 0.00 1.60 1.00 1.20 1.69 15.36 Agapetus 3.71 5.10 0.98 1.10 1.65 17.01 Parametriocnemus 0.14 2.60 0.98 1.13 1.65 18.66

Cook, R., Hawking, J. & Davey, C. 2007 89