Soil Indicators of Queensland Wetlands Phase 1: Literature Review and Case Study 8 Summary of fi Ndings
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Soil Indicators of Queensland Wetlands Phase 1: Literature Review and Case Study Soil Indicators of Queensland Wetlands Phase 1: Literature Review and Case Study Authors Sue-Ellen Dear and Terri Svensson This is the fi nal report for the Soil Indicators of Wetlands: Status, Margins and History project (WL NRM 03) of the Queensland Wetlands Programme, a joint initiative of the Australian and Queensland governments. The Queensland Wetlands Programme was established in 2003 to protect and conserve Queensland’s wetlands. Acknowledgements The authors wish to thank Jon Burgess, John Ross, Jon Walton, Mark Sugars and Clinton Duncan of the Department of Natural Resources and Water, and Mike Grundy of CSIRO for their invaluable assistance and contributions towards this project. We also wish to thank Bernie Powell, Daniel Brough and Kelly Bryant for their comments and assistance in reviewing and editing this document. Disclaimer: The views expressed and the conclusions reached in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the persons consulted. The Queensland and Australian governments shall not be responsible in any way whatsoever to any person who relies in whole or part on the contents of this report. This publication is copyright. However, the Queensland and Australian governments encourage wide dissemination of its contents and research, providing the governments are clearly acknowledged. © The State of Queensland, Department of Natural Resources and Water 2007 This report may be cited as: Soil Indicators of Queensland Wetlands, Phase 1: Literature Review and Case Study, 2007. Enquiries regarding this document should be addressed to: Daniel Brough Department of Natural Resources and Water Block C, 80 Meiers Rd INDOOROOPILLY QLD 4068 Telephone: 07 3896 9333 iii Contents Executive summary ............................................................................................................................................. vi 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1 Background ............................................................................................................................................... 1 Objectives ................................................................................................................................................. 2 The defi nition of a wetland ........................................................................................................................ 2 Wetlands in Queensland ........................................................................................................................... 2 The function of wetland soils ..................................................................................................................... 3 The importance of wetland rehabilitation .................................................................................................. 5 2 Review of wetland hydrogeomorphology ...................................................................................................... 6 Hydrologic processes ................................................................................................................................ 6 Groundwater ............................................................................................................................................. 7 Using hydrogeology to measure wetland status ......................................................................................... 8 Geomorphic indicators ........................................................................................................................... 10 Classifi cation of the hydrogeomorphology of wetlands ............................................................................11 3 Review of wetland soils ............................................................................................................................... 12 The defi nition of wetland soils ................................................................................................................. 12 Chemical processes in submerged soils ................................................................................................... 12 Soil morphology as an indicator of hydromorphic soils ........................................................................... 13 Time periods required for a soil to become hydromorphic .......................................................................21 Monitoring as an indicator of hydromorphic soils .................................................................................... 22 Soil morphological generalisations for hydromorphic soils ...................................................................... 26 Soils with inconclusive or misleading indicators ...................................................................................... 28 4 Review of statutory and non-statutory measures for the protection of wetlands ......................................... 29 International conventions and agreements............................................................................................... 29 The protection of wetlands in Queensland .............................................................................................. 29 The protection of wetlands in the United States ....................................................................................... 30 5 Review of classifi cation and delineation of wetland soils ............................................................................ 32 Australia .................................................................................................................................................. 32 United States ........................................................................................................................................... 32 Europe .................................................................................................................................................... 34 South Africa ............................................................................................................................................ 35 International classifi cation ....................................................................................................................... 35 6 Case studies ................................................................................................................................................. 36 Green Swamp ......................................................................................................................................... 36 Deepwater National Park case study site ................................................................................................. 38 7 Research programme for wetland soils ........................................................................................................ 41 Knowledge gaps evident in Queensland .................................................................................................. 41 iv Soil Indicators of Queensland Wetlands Phase 1: Literature Review and Case Study 8 Summary of fi ndings .................................................................................................................................... 43 Findings from the literature review .......................................................................................................... 43 Findings from the case studies ................................................................................................................. 43 9 Glossary of terms ........................................................................................................................................ 44 10 Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................ 45 Appendix 1. Organic materials .......................................................................................................................... 51 Appendix 2. Redox potential .............................................................................................................................. 52 List of tables Table 1: Hydrogeomorphic classes of wetlands showing associated dominant water sources and hydrodynamics ........................................................................................................................... 11 Table 2: Four of the major reducing reactions related to morphological features of a hydromorphic soil .........23 Table 3: Summary of hydromorphic soil indicators for wetlands of relevance to Queensland conditions ......... 26 Table 4: A provisional three-class system for determining the degree of wetness of wetland soils based on soil morphology ........................................................................................................................... 34 Table 5: General site information — Green Swamp ........................................................................................ 36 Table 6: Hydromorphic soil indicators for wetlands as observed as Green Swamp ..........................................37 Table 7: General site information — Deepwater National Park ........................................................................ 39 Table 8: Hydromorphic soil indictaors for wetlands