COPYRIGHT NOTICE FedUni ResearchOnline https://researchonline.federation.edu.au This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in the Marine and Freshwater Research 70(3): 322-344. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Copyright © 2019, CSIRO. All rights reserved. Developing a Wetland Indicator Plant List DEVELOPMENT OF A WETLAND PLANT INDICATOR LIST TO INFORM THE DELINEATION OF WETLANDS IN NEW SOUTH WALES Ling, J. E. a*, Casanova, M. T. b, Shannon, I. and Powell, M. ac a Water and Wetlands, Science Division, Office of Environment and Heritage, PO Box A290 Sydney South NSW 1232 Australia b Charophyte Services, PO Box 80, Lake Bolac, Vic. 3351 and Federation University Australia, Mt Helen, Vic. Australia. c Macquarie University, North Ryde, 2112 NSW Australia. *Corresponding Author:
[email protected] Tel: +612 9995 5504 Abstract Wetlands experience fluctuating water levels, and so their extent varies spatially and temporally. This characteristic is widespread and likely to increase as global temperatures and evaporation rates increase. The temporary nature of wetlands can confound where a wetland begins and ends, resulting in unreliable mapping and determination of wetland areas for inventory, planning or monitoring purposes. The occurrence of plants that rely on the presence of water for part-or-all of their life-history can be a reliable way to determine the extent of water-affected ecosystems. A wetland plant indicator list (WPIL) could enable more accurate mapping, and provide a tool for on-ground validation of wetland boundaries.