For detailed descriptions of the outputs for
this project for Year 4 (2009/2010) of the MTSRF Research
Programme, see the Annual Research
Plan.
In Years 1 and 2 (see Annual Research
Plans) the project team developed and field tested conceptual
biophysical models to identify (i) appropriate indicators of
waterway health, and (ii) probable thresholds of concern, in terms
of contaminant concentrations, ecological processes and
biodiversity, in order to develop monitoring systems as part of
Integrated Reporting. In Year 3 the team continued field and
laboratory work on Wet Tropics wetlands. The project also
planned to progress development of our program in the Dry Tropics,
dependent on supplementary/ partner funds and/or postgraduate
projects. The project has been building on the Catchment to
Reef program, which focussed on running waters, and now has a
well-developed understanding of the requirements of indicator
systems for tropical fresh waters. The team's ultimate aim is to
fully develop that indicator system for Great Barrier Reef
waterways, to be used by relevant government and other
agencies.
In Year 4 the team will finalise
field work in the Wet Tropics, and continue postgraduate work in
the Dry Tropics. Results of the Catchment to Reef and
subsequent research will be pulled together to produce reports on
the ecological health of selected waterways in the Great Barrier
Reef catchment, and on monitoring methods to determine ecosystem
health of these waterways. A workshop will be convened to
present the major findings to stakeholders and to refine the
reporting and protocol development.
Key objectives of this project are to:
-
Conduct field and laboratory research to develop physical,
chemical and ecological indicators of freshwater ecosystem health
in the wet and dry tropics as part of Integrated Water Quality
Reporting that meets end-user needs and objectives;
-
Identify thresholds of potential concern relating to land use,
water quality, riparian condition, habitat, biodiversity and food
web structure in freshwater ecosystems of the Wet and Dry
Tropics;
-
Train new researchers via postgraduate programs that will be
integral to the identification and testing of efficient and
effective freshwater condition indicators in the Wet and Dry
Tropics; and
-
Provide monitoring methods, manuals and guidelines of relevance
to a range of skills and end users.
