Pearson, Richard G., Davis, Aaron M., and Birtles, R.Alastair (2022) The Burdekin River: a review of its ecology, conservation and management. Report. James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland.

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Abstract

We outline current knowledge of the ecology of the streams, rivers and floodplain wetlands of the Burdekin River system, examine the impacts of actual and proposed development, and consider the conservation status of the system and its management. The Burdekin River occupies a large catchment in north-eastern Australia, which overlaps several bioregions and has diverse aquatic habitats and biota. The taxonomic make-up and ecology of the biota is limited, with some patchy detail of invertebrate and fish assemblages and food webs. Water resource development, land clearing, weed invasion, agricultural pollution and climate change are all actual or potential factors negatively affecting the habitats and biota. Effective management needs to integrate multiple uses via governance of activities and interactions of stakeholders, recognising basic hydrogeomorphic, water quality and ecological needs for adequate conservation. While complete ecological protection is impractical amidst current and future water-resource and land-use development, we aim to develop a simple approach to conservation classification of all streams, rivers and associated wetlands, using the Burdekin River as a model system.

Item ID:	76253
Item Type:	Report (Report)
Copyright Information:	© James Cook University, 2022.
Date Deposited:	18 Oct 2022 23:56
FoR Codes:	31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3103 Ecology > 310304 Freshwater ecology @ 50% 41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4104 Environmental management > 410404 Environmental management @ 25% 41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4104 Environmental management > 410401 Conservation and biodiversity @ 25%
SEO Codes:	18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1803 Fresh, ground and surface water systems and management > 180301 Assessment and management of freshwater ecosystems @ 40% 18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1803 Fresh, ground and surface water systems and management > 180303 Fresh, ground and surface water biodiversity @ 40% 18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1802 Coastal and estuarine systems and management > 180203 Coastal or estuarine biodiversity @ 20%
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