Semi-Arid wetland conceptual modelling

1. Semi-Arid wetland conceptual modelling Ben Gawne & Amina Price

2. MDBA Adjust Evaluate Assess Monitor Design Implement Adapted from Nyberg 1999

3. MDBA Objectives • Key questions; • What is condition of Basin? • What is condition of key environmental assets? • Answering these questions requires a monitoring program that; • Can be integrated with other monitoring programs being undertaken by MDBA • Is consistent across MDB

4. Collaborative Approach • Nation Land & Water Resources Audit • National Water Commission • Dept. of Environment, Water, Heritage and Arts • NRM Ministerial Council • Wetlands and Waterbirds Taskforce • State Governments

5. Conceptual Models • Foundation for development of monitoring • States in process of developing models for all climatic regions except semi-arid region • MDBA took lead in semi-arid wetlands • Facilitate consistent approach across the northern basin • Models provide a tool for directing investment in wetland monitoring and research across the MDB

6. Model Objectives • Design Condition Assessment • Underpin indicator selection • Synthesise current knowledge and identify knowledge gaps • Key Components • Key Drivers • Key Processes • Communication Tool • Explain wetland ecology • Justify indicator selection

7. Process • Based on Queensland EPA typology, 9 wetland types identified in Semi-Arid region. • Consultation with States, reduced to 7 • Draft models developed by Amina Price and Lana Heydon (saline swamps) • Information pulled from a variety of sources • Draft models presented to expert workshop • Conceptual Models finalised

8. Typology Character Description Process Conceptual Model Generic Threat Model Pressure-Response Model Stress Indicators Condition Indicators

9. Wetland Types • Saline lakes • Saline swamps • Commonly wet freshwater lakes • Periodically-inundated floodplain freshwater lakes • Periodically-inundated depressional freshwater lakes • Floodplain freshwater swamps • Depressional freshwater swamps

10. Approach Type Character Hydrology Type Character 1 Type Character 2 Type Character 3 Type Character 4 Vegetation Vegetation Vegetation Vegetation Primary Production High Organic Primary Production High Organic Primary Production High Organic Primary Production High Organic Invertebrates Invertebrates Invertebrates Invertebrates Low DO Low DO Low DO Low DO Fish Fish Fish Fish Birds Birds Birds Birds

11. Climate Topography Catchment Area Morphology River River Connection Groundwater Depth Land Use Soil Depth Soil Grazing Complexity Water Source Morphology Extent duration, depth, frequency, seasonality Time since inundation Water Quality Nutrients Primary Production Vegetation Invertebrates Fish Birds Nest sites

12. Response • Complexity • Inundation Models • Component Models Initial Inundation Inundation Water receding Dry

13. Water Source Morphology Extent duration, depth, frequency, seasonality Time since inundation Water Quality Nutrients Primary Production Vegetation Invertebrates Fish Birds Nest sites Component Models

14. Typology Character Description Component Models System Understanding Generic Threat Model Key Driver Models Pressure-Response Model Key Driver Inundation Models Stress Indicators Condition Indicators

15. Character Description Models • Character description models have been completed for • Permanent freshwater lakes • Temporary freshwater floodplain lakes • Shrub/Lignum swamps • Eucalypt swamps • Sedgeland/Grassland swamps • Temporary freshwater non-floodplain lakes. • Saline lakes • Saline swamps

21. Typology Character Description Component Models System Understanding Generic Threat Model Key Driver Models Pressure-Response Model Key Driver Inundation Models Stress Indicators Condition Indicators

22. Component Models • Component Models have been completed for • Hydrology – water source, duration of inundation, frequency of inundation, summarised into an inundation regime model • Geomorphology • Water Quality - pH, turbidity, DO, temperature and salinity • Dissolved nutrient loads • Microbial Community • Dominant vegetation • Dominant form of primary production • Invertebrates • Frogs • Fish • Waterbirds

25. Typology Character Description Component Models System Understanding Generic Threat Model Key Driver Models Pressure-Response Model Key Driver Inundation Models Stress Indicators Condition Indicators

26. Key Driver Models • Key Driver models have been completed for • Permanent freshwater lakes • Temporary freshwater floodplain lakes • Freshwater floodplain swamps • Freshwater non-floodplain swamps • Temporary freshwater non-floodplain lakes. • Saline lakes • Saline swamps

29. Typology Character Description Component Models System Understanding Generic Threat Model Key Driver Models Pressure-Response Model Key Driver Inundation Models Stress Indicators Condition Indicators

30. Driver Inundation Models • Character description models have been completed for • Permanent freshwater lakes • Temporary freshwater floodplain lakes • Freshwater floodplain swamps • Freshwater non-floodplain swamps • Temporary freshwater non-floodplain lakes. • Saline lakes • Saline swamps

34. Workshop Recommendations • Scale: • Conceptual models are of individual wetlands. • Experts believe that models of wetland complexes need to be developed • Key Driver Models: • Experts hoped that generic model could be modified for different wetland types. • Diversity of wetland types at this level of classification made this difficult.

35. Design Process Typology Character Description Process Conceptual Model Generic Threat Model Pressure-Response Model Stress Indicators Condition Indicators

36. Questions?