Integrity of inland aquatic ecosystems: river condition
Indicator Status: For Advice
Department of the Environment and Heritage
PDF file
Attachments A and B contain the river condition index, river condition indicator table and the framework for a river condition monitoring program. All of the recommended indicators listed under the river condition heading are covered in Attachment A.
About this document
- River condition index; river condition indicator table
- Framework for a River Condition Monitoring Program
Why do we need to measure river condition?
Measuring river condition can assist regions in setting natural resource management (NRM) targets for river condition and for reporting on national natural resource condition Matters for Targets under the NAP and the NHT II. These Matters for Targets and associated NRM objectives include:
- NRM Monitoring and Evaluation/Standards and Targets: Inland aquatic ecosystems' integrity;
- protecting and restoring significant freshwater, marine and estuarine ecosystems;
- protecting and restoring the habitat of threatened species, threatened ecological communities and migratory birds; and
- that the extent, diversity and condition of native ecosystems is maintained or rehabilitated.
How will measuring river condition help in meeting natural resource management targets?
Measuring river condition provides regions with a way to establish objective river condition targets and to develop associated monitoring systems. The indicator also provides communities, regional organisations and governments with quantitative assessments of the comparative and relative state or condition of river reaches within NAP and NHT II regions. These broad spatial-scale assessments of river condition can be used to help guide river protection, restoration and rehabilitation activities. regionally and nationally, and to assess the effectiveness of intervention over time.
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