Abstract: |
This project aims to undertake vegetation surveys that include the collection and vouchering of specimens that occur within the established monitoring sites on the Katarapko floodplain, Riverland region, South Australia.
METHODOLOGY:
Surveys to be conducted by Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) include annual condition monitoring and intervention monitoring during watering events throughout the duration of the South Australian River Infrastructure Improvement Project (SARFIIP) to 2020.
Vegetation-condition monitoring survey baseline-data was collected on the Katarapko floodplain in the Riverland region for the first time in 2015.
Surveys are to continue to be undertaken on the Katarapko floodplain in conjunction with the delivery of SARFIIP to ensure that sufficient baseline data is collected prior to the successfully delivery of the program in 2020.
DEWNR is to provide ecological monitoring to support the ongoing management of the site in response to managed artificial watering events. This information will provide evidence for future watering events at the site, and ultimately provide information on the Katarapko floodplain regarding the response to broad scale inundation under SARFIIP.
Surveys proposed to be undertaken are aimed at capturing the response of vegetation including trees and understorey.
The broadly adopted The Living Murray (TLM) tree condition and understorey vegetation surveys are proposed to be undertaken at each of the established sites.
OUTCOMES:
Research undertaken at the site will assist in developing a robust baseline data set, as well as assist in predicting the response of key vegetation species (including long-lived and temporary) to inundation, including timing and duration.
Documenting responses at these key wetland areas will provide valuable information as to how similar areas of the floodplain will respond to the implementation of structures (environmental regulators) in the delivery of the larger SARFIIP and the future management of Katarapko floodplain.
Data collected will also contribute to statewide environmental reporting including Matter 8 under the Murray-Basin Plan.
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