Pressures affecting riverine ecosystems
Key Finding
Sediment, nutrients, pesticides and the loss of riparian forests are the major catchment pressures that broadly impact Queensland’s freshwater rivers but vary in their relative importance between regions.
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- Healthy Land and Water South East Queensland report card
- Reef Water Quality report card
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- Gladstone Harbour report card
- Mackay–Whitsunday–Isaac report card
- Wet Tropics Waterways report card
- Townsville Dry Tropics report card
- QCatchment Archer
- QCatchment Bulloo
- QCatchment Burdekin
- QCatchment Coleman
- QCatchment Ducie
- QCatchment Endeavour
- QCatchment Holroyd
- QCatchment Jacky Jacky
- QCatchment Jardine
- QCatchment Jeannie
- QCatchment Lake Eyre
- QCatchment Lockhart
- QCatchment Nebine
- QCatchment Normanby
- QCatchment Olive–Pascoe
- QCatchment Paroo
- QCatchment Queensland Eastern Murray Darling
- QCatchment Stewart
- QCatchment Warrego
- QCatchment Wenlock
Water Quality report card area (select locations to filter information)
(Townsville Dry Tropics boundary is indicative only)
Queensland
Pressures on Queensland's waterways vary between regions and are generally linked to catchment land uses.
Overall, sediment, nutrients, pesticides, and the loss of riparian forests are the major catchment pressures that broadly impact Queensland rivers, but these also vary in their relative importance between regions.
Healthy Land and Water South East Queensland report card
The Healthy Land and Water South East Queensland (SEQ) Report Card helps us understand the pressures affecting ecosystem health in freshwater areas.
Dry conditions have been a major pressure for freshwater fish and macroinvertebrates (crayfish, snails, insects) in the upper and western catchments.
Much of the natural riverbank vegetation has been cleared for agriculture and urban development in SEQ. This is a major pressure affecting the health of region’s freshwater ecosystems.
- Riparian vegetation provides shade for rivers, helping regulate temperature to support habitat for freshwater creatures.
- Riverbank vegetation provides bank stability, and filters nutrients and sediments that pollute waterways.
Sediments and run-off from urban activities, particularly construction, and agriculture are a significant pressure.
- Sparsely vegetated riverbanks are highly sensitive to storm events, as erosion releases large amounts of sediment to waterways.
Nutrients from agricultural run-off and sewage treatment effluent also impact waterways. A major program of sewage treatment plant upgrades and stream rehabilitation has significantly reduced the adverse role of effluent in waterways’ health over the past 15 to 20 years, and agricultural best management practice programs aim to reduce nutrient run-off.
More information:
Reef Water Quality report card
Coastal freshwater wetlands are exposed to a range of cumulative pressures such as increased nutrient and sediment loads, loss of connectivity and changes in hydrology. The main source of excess nutrients, fine sediments and pesticides in the Great Barrier Reef catchments is from agriculture.
Catchment modifications have led to secondary impacts such as weed infestations, poor water quality and algal blooms.
Wetland pressure is assessed based on physical integrity, hydrology, connectivity and biotic integrity.
Reef Water Quality Report Card 2017 and 2018 found that freshwater floodplain wetlands in the Great Barrier Reef catchments remain, on average, under moderate pressure from catchment land use. Loss of connectivity and pest species are the key pressures on wetlands.
The loss of riparian woody vegetation is primarily caused by land clearing, often for agricultural uses. Vegetation in riparian areas is important for water quality as it increases streambank stability and helps intercept overland flows, preventing sediment and nutrient generation from erosion.
The ground cover assessment focusses on late dry season ground cover levels across grazing lands, recognising that water quality risk is generally highest at the onset of the wet season. Research supports that a ground cover level of 70% is needed to minimise erosion.
The Paddock to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting program (Paddock to Reef program) was reviewed and updated in 2018 to reflect the new targets set in the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan 2017–2022. Due to the changed targets, some of the 2017–2018 results are not directly be comparable to previous years’ reporting.
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Fitzroy Basin report card
The Fitzroy Basin is home to several rare and threatened species, and internationally significant wetlands. It has the greatest diversity of native freshwater fish in Australia and supports commercial and recreational fisheries significant to Queensland.
Water quality in the Fitzroy River is heavily influenced by activities in the catchment and rainfall patterns.
Fitzroy Partnership for River Health identified the following as key sources of pressure on freshwater ecosystem health in the region:
- mining and natural gas extraction
- cropping
- grazing
- water extraction.
The region is a mineral-rich area and mining/extraction activities can lead to increases in the levels of certain toxicants in waterways if not managed effectively. Proposed increases in agricultural development, more mining operations and increasing coal seam gas extraction have the potential to further impact freshwater ecosystem health.
The combination of low rainfall and poor grazing practices can lead to low levels of ground cover, which can result in increased sediment run-off during rainfall events.
If not managed effectively, water extraction in ephemeral stream areas can lead to permanent refugial waterholes drying out and/or increases in salinity in those waterholes to levels of concern.
In addition to these pressures, flow in the Fitzroy Basin is regulated with 28 dams and numerous weirs. This has resulted in the modification of riverine habitat to lacustrine (lake) habitat and flow variation that is different from its natural state. Dams and weirs also act as fish passage barriers. These pressures have altered, or have the potential to alter, the ecology of Fitzroy Basin freshwater ecosystems.
Report card naming in the Queensland State of the Environment report refers to the year of report card release, which may differ from the year given in the report card title or the year data group shown on regional report card partnership websites. Only data for regional report cards released before June 30 2020 are included.
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Gladstone Harbour report card
Freshwater ecosystems are not analysed in this report card area.
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Mackay–Whitsunday–Isaac report card
Mackay–Whitsunday–Isaac Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership identified the following as key drivers affecting freshwater ecosystems in the region:
- climate (including climate change and variability)
- population growth
- economic growth.
The current pressures in the Mackay–Whitsunday–Isaac region range from those occurring on an international level, to Reef-wide and localised regional pressures, including:
- urban and industrial development
- cyclones and episodic events (including drought and flood events)
- agricultural development
- tourism and recreational use
- litter
- diffuse source pollution (agriculture and urban)
- point source pollution (urban and industrial)
- changes to natural freshwater flow regimes
- invasive species (flora and fauna).
Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie heavily impacted the region in early 2017. This led to severe bank erosion and removal of riparian vegetation in freshwater ecosystems. Bank stabilisation, re-profiling and re-vegetation measures have been put in place to reduce long term, cumulative impacts.
Report card naming in the Queensland State of the Environment report refers to the year of report card release, which may differ from the year given in the report card title or the year data group shown on regional report card partnership websites. Only data for regional report cards released before June 30 2020 are included.
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Wet Tropics Waterways report card
Wet Tropics Waterways Partnership identified the following as key drivers and pressures affecting freshwater ecosystems in the Wet Tropics Waterways region:
- climate change and variability
- population growth
- economic growth
- cyclones and episodic events (including drought and flood events)
- agricultural activities and development
- urban development
- tourism and recreational use
- litter
- water resource development and alteration of natural flow regimes
- invasive species (e.g. aquatic weeds and fish).
The Wet Tropics region is characterised by high value freshwater ecosystem assets.
About 35% of land in the region is within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, which provides some protection to the integrity of catchment waterways. Despite this protection, a large proportion of catchment waterways are impacted by agricultural and urban land uses including coastal and inland areas.
Other pressures that contribute to aquatic ecosystem disturbance include:
- in-stream barriers
- impoundments
- invasive pests and weeds
- fishing
- water extraction.
Land use development has reduced the extent of wetlands, floodplains and riparian communities which provide a range of functions, including improvement of water quality by reducing nutrients, pollutants and suspended solids.
Report card naming in the Queensland State of the Environment report refers to the year of report card release, which may differ from the year given in the report card title or the year data group shown on regional report card partnership websites. Only data for regional report cards released before June 30 2020 are included.
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Townsville Dry Tropics report card
The pressures on freshwater ecosystem health in the Townsville Dry Tropics Region differ between the region’s 2 main basins.
Pressures in the Ross Basin include:
- urban and industrial contaminants
- hardening of the catchment (increase in impervious surfaces resulting in higher stormwater run-off velocities and erosion in local waterways)
- modification of waterways
- litter
- invasive aquatic weeds and pest fish.
In the Black Basin, pressures include:
- land clearing and urban development
- agricultural practices and associated pollutant run-off
- ground water extraction (leading to rising water tables and increased salinity).
Major flooding affected the area in 2019. While the full impact of this event on freshwater ecosystems is not fully known, significant amounts of sediments, nutrients and litter were transported through and into freshwater ecosystems. Habitat degradation and fish kills also occurred.
Although the flood removed a significant quantity of aquatic weeds from freshwater reaches of the Ross River, a lot of this material ended up in adjoining estuarine reaches. This weed material was removed as a management response to prevent further habitat degradation.
Report card naming in the Queensland State of the Environment report refers to the year of report card release, which may differ from the year given in the report card title or the year data group shown on regional report card partnership websites. Only data for regional report cards released before June 30 2020 are included.
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QCatchment Archer
Field-collected data was used to assess identified key threats, rating the overall threat to Archer catchment’s riverine ecosystems as ‘moderate’.
Key current threats for the Archer catchment were:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. feral pigs, unfenced stock) — moderate
- introduced riparian flora (e.g. rubbervine, sicklepod) — severe
- introduced aquatic fauna — low.
Introduced riparian fauna, such as stock and feral pigs, accessing the riparian zone, river bank and channel pose the main threat.
While introduced riparian flora condition was ranked as ‘minor disturbance’, the threat is ‘severe’ as only 1 of 4 sites was weed-free.
Introduced aquatic fauna pose a ‘low’ threat. Neither cane toads nor their tadpoles were sighted at any sites but are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the threat scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)
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QCatchment Bulloo
Conceptual models are used to determine catchment specific condition indicators based on the relevant pressures in the catchment.
The main threats for the Bulloo catchment were:
- introduced aquatic fauna — low
- deposited sediment — slight
- introduced riparian fauna — moderate.
The overall rating for the Bulloo catchment in 2012 was ‘slightly disturbed’.
Introduced aquatic fauna such as European carp, goldfish, eastern mosquitofish and red claw crayfish pose the highest potential risk to riverine ecosystems in the Bulloo catchment, but currently represent a ‘low’ threat.
Deposited sediment was identified as a ‘high’ potential risk to riverine ecosystems in the Bulloo catchment, but only a ‘slight’ current threat.
Activities such as vegetation clearing and introduced animals in riparian zones can increase the chances of sediment entering waterholes.
Introduced riparian fauna, such as feral pigs and unfenced cattle, were identified as a ‘moderate’ risk and ‘moderate’ current threat to riverine ecosystems of the Bulloo catchment, which can cause erosion via physical damage to banks and thus subsequent water quality issues.
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QCatchment Burdekin
An ecological risk assessment of threats to waterways in the Burdekin catchment identified 5 threats for further investigation.
- introduced aquatic fauna — high
- introduced riparian fauna — high
- introduced riparian flora — moderate
- increased nutrients — high
- deposited sediment — high.
Introduced aquatic fauna such as tilapia species and Eastern gambusia were identified as a ‘high’ risk threat in the Burdekin catchment.
Introduced riparian fauna such as feral pigs and cattle were identified as a ‘high’ risk threat in the Burdekin catchment.
Introduced riparian flora was identified as a ‘moderate’ risk threat in the Burdekin catchment, with a high presence of riparian weeds in intensively developed areas.
Increased levels of nutrients from coastal agriculture and sewage treatment plant discharge was identified as a ‘high’ risk threat to the Burdekin’s riverine ecosystems.
Deposited sediment, primarily from erosion due to grazing, was identified as a ‘high’ risk threat across the Burdekin catchment.
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QCatchment Coleman
The Coleman catchment is on the western coast of Cape York, and includes several river systems including the Coleman and Edward rivers.
Field-collected data was used to assess identified key threats, rating the overall threat to Coleman catchment’s riverine ecosystem as ‘moderate’.
Key current threats identified for the Coleman catchment were:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. feral pigs, unfenced stock) — moderate
- introduced aquatic flora — low
- introduced aquatic fauna — low
- introduced riparian flora (e.g. rubbervine, sicklepod) — moderate.
Cattle and feral pigs accessing the riparian zone, bank and channel pose the main threat to Coleman catchment riverine ecology.
Introduced riparian flora were found at ‘low’ levels of infestation: conditions can change rapidly, hence cause for concern.
The potential for spread of pest fish species into the region is ‘high’, and remains a risk. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the threat scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)
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QCatchment Ducie
The Ducie catchment is on the north-west coast of Cape York, and drains to the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Field collected data was used to assess identified key threats, rating the overall threat to Ducie catchment’s riverine ecosystem as ‘moderate’.
Key current threats identified for the Ducie catchment were:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. feral pigs, unfenced stock) — moderate
- introduced riparian flora — low
- introduced aquatic flora — low
- introduced aquatic fauna — low.
The assessment concluded that while the catchment was in ‘good’ condition, feral pigs and cattle accessing the riparian zone posed the main threat to riverine ecology.
The current threat of introduced fish species was assessed as ‘low’ however potential for spread of pest fish species and cane toads is high, and therefore remains a ‘moderate’ risk. Cane toads or their tadpoles were not sighted at any sites but are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the threat scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)
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QCatchment Endeavour
The Endeavour catchment is on the eastern coast of Cape York, and includes the Endeavour and Annan river systems.
Field-collected data was used to assess key threats, rating the overall threat to Endeavour catchment’s riverine ecosystem as ‘moderate’.
Identified key threats for the Endeavour catchment were:
- introduced riparian fauna — moderate
- introduced riparian flora — high
- introduced aquatic fauna — low
- introduced aquatic flora — low.
Introduced riparian flora, including infestations of lantana, rubbervine and sicklepod, posed a ‘high’ current threat.
Despite the ‘low’ current threat identified for introduced aquatic fauna, they present a ‘high’ risk. Tilapia have been sampled in the Endeavour previously; confirmation of continued existence would impact on current threat and condition. Cane toads or their tadpoles were not sighted at any sites but are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the threat scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)
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QCatchment Holroyd
The Holroyd catchment is on the west coast of Cape York, and drains into the Gulf of Carpentaria. It includes the Holroyd and Kendall river systems and many smaller creeks.
Field-collected data was used to assess key threats, rating the overall threat to Holroyd catchment’s riverine ecosystems as ‘moderate’.
Key threats identified for the Holroyd catchment were:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. feral pigs, unfenced stock) — moderate
- introduced riparian flora — severe
- introduced aquatic fauna — low.
Introduced riparian fauna and flora pose the greatest threats. Impacts from feral pigs and cattle were observed at all sites. The current threat rating for riparian flora was ‘severe’, with 2 sites having sicklepod. While introduced aquatic fauna were ranked as a ‘low’ current threat, cane toads were sighted and are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the threat scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)
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QCatchment Jacky Jacky
The Jacky Jacky catchment is on the north-east coast of Cape York. It includes the Jacky Jacky and Harmer creeks, Escape River and numerous smaller coastal streams.
Field-collected data was used to assess key threats, rating the overall threat to Jacky Jacky catchment riverine ecosystems as ‘moderate’.
Key threats identified for the Jacky Jacky catchment were:
- introduced riparian fauna (feral pigs) — moderate
- introduced riparian flora — low
- introduced aquatic fauna — low.
Feral pigs accessing the riparian zone, river bank and channel pose the main current threat to riverine ecology in the Jacky Jacky catchment. This assessed threat was higher than initial risk assessments. Other than moderate levels of feral pig damage, excellent scores were recorded in all other field measurements.
While no pest fish species have been found to date, there is an ongoing risk of spread into the catchment from the north (via Torres Strait) and from catchments to the south of Cape York.
Cane toads or their tadpoles were not sighted but are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the threat scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)
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QCatchment Jardine
The Jardine catchment is the northern-most catchment on the Australian mainland, at the tip of Cape York. It drains in a north-westerly direction into Torres Strait.
Field-collected data was used to assess identified key threats, rating the overall threat for Jardine catchment’s riverine ecosystem as ‘moderate’.
Key threats identified for the Jardine catchment were:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. feral pigs) — moderate
- introduced riparian flora — low
- introduced aquatic fauna — low.
With damage evident at all sites, feral pigs were deemed the main current threat to Jardine catchment riverine ecology.
The absence of priority weed infestations at assessment sites led to a ‘low’ current threat.
The lack of any pest fish species in the assessment resulted in a ‘low’ current threat rating however the risk is ongoing from the north (via Torres Strait) and from catchments to the south of Cape York.
Cane toads or their tadpoles were not sighted but are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the threat scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)
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QCatchment Jeannie
The Jeannie catchment is on the east coast of Cape York and includes the Jeannie and Starcke river systems.
Field-collected data was used to assess key current threats, rating the overall threat to Jeannie catchment riverine ecosystems as ‘minor’.
Key threats identified for the Jeannie catchment were:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. feral pigs) — minor
- introduced riparian flora — low
- introduced aquatic fauna — low
From the single site assessed, feral pigs accessing the riparian zone, river bank and channel were deemed the main current threat to riverine ecology.
While riparian weeds were not recorded at the assessment site, they have been identified as a risk as expanding tourism could enable weed spread via 4WD vehicles.
Although no pest fish species were found, there remains an ongoing risk of spread into the catchment from the north (via Torres Strait) and from catchments to the south of Cape York.
Cane toad eggs were found at the site. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the threat scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)
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QCatchment Lake Eyre
An ecological risk assessment of threats to waterways in the province identified 3 threats for further investigation:
- introduced riparian fauna — moderate
- introduced aquatic fauna — moderate
- introduced riparian weeds — moderate.
No overall condition score was provided for the Lake Eyre and Bulloo Province.
Introduced riparian fauna (feral pigs and cattle) was assessed as a ‘moderate’ risk, as pigs and cattle have access to the riparian zone. Slightly higher risks (in the high end of the ‘moderate’ range) were observed in the Georgina and Diamantina catchments. Overall, cattle impact was more severe than pig impact at surveyed sites across the Province.
The province as a whole was ranked at ‘moderate’ risk from introduced aquatic fauna, based on the Georgina and Cooper being at ‘moderate’ risk. However the Bulloo and Diamantina were at ‘no risk’.
Risk to ecosystem condition from introduced riparian weeds was assessed to be ‘slight’ in the Bulloo catchment, ‘moderate’ in the Diamantina and Cooper Creek catchments and ‘high’ in the Georgina catchment. Risk overall from riparian weeds was ‘moderate’.
The highest numbers of targeted weed species were recorded in the Cooper and Georgina catchments.
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QCatchment Lockhart
The Lockhart catchment is on the east coast of Cape York and includes the Lockhart, Claudie and Nesbit rivers.
Field-collected data was used to assess current identified key threats, rating the overall threat to Lockhart catchment’s riverine ecosystems as ‘moderate’.
Key threats identified for the Lockhart catchment were:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. feral pigs) — moderate
- introduced riparian flora — low
- introduced aquatic fauna — low.
Introduced riparian fauna (i.e. feral pigs and cattle) accessing the riparian zone, river bank and channel pose the main current threat to riverine ecology in the Lockhart catchment
While there was no evidence of priority weed species present at the assessment sites, weeds (e.g. sicklepod, grader grass, pond apple) are known to be in the catchment.
No pest fish species were found, however an ongoing risk of spread remains from the north (via Torres Strait) and from catchments to the south of Cape York. A cane toad was sighted at one of the sites.
(The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the condition scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.).
More information:
QCatchment Nebine
Conceptual models are used to determine catchment specific condition indicators based on the relevant pressures in the catchment.
Main threats for the Nebine catchment were:
- introduced aquatic fauna — moderate
- deposited sediment — low
- introduced riparian fauna — slight.
Introduced fauna such as European carp, goldfish, eastern mosquitofish and red claw crayfish pose the highest potential risk of the risks considered and a ‘moderate’ current threat to riverine ecosystems in the Nebine catchment.
Deposited sediment was identified as a ‘high’ potential risk to riverine ecosystems in the Nebine catchment, but a ‘low’ current threat.
Activities such as vegetation clearing and introduced animals in riparian zones can increase the chances of sediment entering waterholes.
Introduced riparian fauna, such as feral pigs and unfenced cattle, were identified as a ‘moderate’ risk but only a represent a ‘slight’ current threat to riverine ecosystems of the Nebine catchment.
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QCatchment Normanby
The Normanby catchment is located in the south-east of Cape York.
Field-collected data was used to assess identified key threats, rating the overall threat to Normanby catchment’s riverine ecosystem as ‘moderate’.
Key current threats identified for the Normanby catchment were:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. cattle, feral pigs) — moderate
- introduced riparian flora — moderate
- introduced aquatic flora — low
- introduced aquatic fauna — slight.
Introduced riparian flora and fauna pose the highest risk to Normanby catchment riverine ecosystems.
Cattle and feral pigs are likely to be having a negative impact on waterholes by destroying habitat, increasing erosion and contributing contaminants to water.
The presence of significant and widespread infestations of weeds among monitoring sites (including lantana, rubber vine and sicklepod) indicated a ‘moderate’ current threat.
Goldfish were identified at 1 isolated site and the area is a ‘high’ risk for other introductions, especially tilapia.
Cane toads or their tadpoles were identified at most assessment sites. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the threat scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.
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QCatchment Olive–Pascoe
The Olive–Pascoe catchment is located on the east coast of Cape York, and includes the Olive, Pascoe and Claudie rivers.
Field-collected data was used to assess identified key threats to riverine ecosystem, rating the overall threat the Olive–Pascoe catchment as ‘severe’.
Key threats identified for the Olive–Pascoe catchment were:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. cattle, feral pigs) — minor
- introduced riparian flora — severe
- introduced aquatic fauna — low.
Introduced riparian flora poses the main threat to riverine ecology in the Olive–Pascoe catchment.
While weeds (including rubbervine and sicklepod) were recorded at low levels of abundance, their widespread presence implies ecosystem condition could change quickly. Tourism is expanding in Cape York, increasing the chance of weed spread via 4WD vehicles.
No pest fish species were found in this or previous surveys, however a risk of spread remains from the north (via Torres Strait) and from catchments to the south of Cape York.
Cane toads are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the threat scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)
More information:
QCatchment Paroo
Conceptual models are used to determine catchment specific condition indicators based on the relevant pressures in the catchment.
The main threats for the Paroo catchment were:
- introduced aquatic fauna — moderate
- deposited sediment — slight
- introduced riparian fauna — moderate.
The overall rating for the Paroo catchment in 2012 was ‘moderately disturbed’.
Introduced aquatic fauna such as European carp, goldfish, eastern mosquitofish and red claw crayfish pose the highest potential risk to riverine ecosystems in the Paroo catchment and currently represent a ‘moderate’ threat.
Deposited sediment was identified as a ‘high’ potential risk to riverine ecosystems in the Paroo catchment but only represents a ‘slight’ current threat.
Activities such as vegetation clearing and introduced animals in riparian zones can increase the chances of sediment entering waterholes.
Introduced riparian fauna, such as feral pigs and unfenced cattle, were identified as a ‘moderate’ risk and ‘moderate’ current threat to riverine ecosystems of the Paroo catchment, which can cause physical damage to banks and water quality issues.
More information:
QCatchment Queensland Eastern Murray Darling
Conceptual models are used to determine catchment specific indicators based on the relevant pressures in the catchment.
Main threats identified for the Queensland Eastern Murray–Darling (QEMD) catchments were:
- introduced aquatic fauna — moderate
- deposited sediment — minor
- introduced riparian fauna — moderate
- introduced riparian flora — minor.
Introduced aquatic fauna such as European carp, goldfish, and Eastern gambusia pose a ‘high’ risk and a ‘minor’ current threat to riverine ecosystems across the QEMD except for the Moonie River catchment, which currently has a ‘high’ current threat status for introduced aquatic fauna. Thus, on average introduced aquatic fauna was assessed as a ‘moderate’ current threat for QEMD catchments.
Deposited sediment was identified as a ‘high’ risk and ‘minor’ current threat overall in the QEMD catchments with a ‘moderate’ current threat ranking in the Moonie River catchment. Thus, on average deposited sediment was assessed as a ‘minor’ current threat for QEMD catchments.
Introduced riparian fauna was identified as a ‘low’ risk and ‘moderate’ current threat overall for the QEMD catchments.
While, introduced riparian flora was identified as a ‘low’ risk and a ‘minor’ current threat overall for the QEMD catchments.
Climate change was also identified as a ‘high’ risk in the Condamine and Upper Balonne catchment, and ‘moderate’ risk in the remaining QEMD catchments. However no threat assessment was assigned.
It must be acknowledged that climate change is both current and future threat to aquatic ecosystems throughout the Queensland Murray–Darling Basin.
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QCatchment Stewart
The Stewart catchment is located on the east coast of Cape York.
Field-collected data was used to identify key current threats to riverine ecosystem components, rating the overall threat in the Stewart catchment as ‘minor’.
Key threats identified for the Stewart catchment were:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. cattle, feral pigs) — minor
- introduced riparian flora — low
- introduced aquatic fauna — low.
Based on evidence of minor impacts at sites (mainly from pigs), there is expected to be little change in instream flora and fauna community structure.
There were no infestations of priority weeds at the monitoring sites, hence a ‘low’ current threat was recorded for riparian flora.
No pest fish species were identified in this assessment (or in previous surveys), however the threat remains and would have serious consequences to aquatic ecosystems across Cape York if they establish.
While cane toad adults were sighted in very high numbers at 1 site, the presence of cane toads is not reflected in the threat scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.
The assessment also identified suspended and deposited sediments as posing a higher risk in the Stewart catchment than Cape York generally.
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QCatchment Warrego
Conceptual models are used to determine catchment specific condition indicators based on the relevant pressures in the catchment.
Main threats to the Warrego catchment were:
- introduced aquatic fauna — slight
- deposited sediment — moderate
- introduced riparian fauna — moderate.
The overall rating for the Warrego catchment in 2012 was ‘moderately disturbed’.
Introduced aquatic fauna such as European carp, goldfish, eastern mosquitofish and red claw crayfish pose the highest potential risk to riverine ecosystems in the Warrego catchment, but only a ‘slight’ current threat.
Deposited sediment was identified as a ‘high’ potential risk and ‘moderate’ current threat to riverine ecosystems in the Warrego catchment, with activities such as vegetation clearing and introduced animals in riparian zones increasing the chances of sediment entering waterholes.
Introduced riparian fauna, such as feral pigs and unfenced cattle, were identified as a ‘moderate’ risk and ‘moderate’ current threat to riverine ecosystems of the Warrego catchment, which can cause physical damage to banks and water quality issues.
More information:
QCatchment Wenlock
The Wenlock catchment is located on the west coast of Cape York.
Field-collected data was used to assess identified key current threats to riverine ecosystem, rating the overall threat the Wenlock catchment as ‘severe’.
Key threats identified were:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. cattle, feral pigs) — minor
- introduced riparian flora — severe
- introduced aquatic flora — low
- introduced aquatic fauna — low.
Introduced riparian flora pose the main threat to Wenlock riverine ecology, with infestations of rubbervine and sicklepod in evidence.
While introduced aquatic flora was assessed as having ‘low’ threat (no introduced aquatic flora infestations at sites), there are anecdotal reports of water hyacinth in this catchment and water lettuce has been identified in adjoining catchments.
Introduced aquatic fauna was considered a ‘low’ current threat with no pest fish species identified in this assessment. Potential remains for such spread into the region; exotic and translocated fish could have a devastating impact on the Wenlock, as it is one of the most diverse catchments in Australia in terms of freshwater fish.
Cane toads or their tadpoles were not sighted at any of the sites but are known to occur in the catchment.
More information:
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Pressures identified in various water quality report card areas across Queensland.