Ecological Responses of Aquatic Vegetation Communities to the Water Regime and Water Quality of Inland Ephemeral Lakes

Ecological Responses of Aquatic Vegetation Communities to the Water Regime and Water Quality of Inland Ephemeral Lakes
Researchers
Adrian Clements (Postgraduate student)
Supervisors: Prof Max Finlayson & Dr Daryl Nielsen
Project Dates
2012 - 2015
Contact
Adrian Clements Charles Sturt University – Albury aclements@csu.edu.au
Partners
State Water, Lachlan Catchment Management Authority & Faculty of Science, Charles Stuart University

Project Info

This project aims to investigate the ecological response of the aquatic vegetation communities to water quality changes and water regime. The main study site is Lake Brewster with comparisons also planned for Lake Cowal and Lake Cargelligo, all of which are situated in the mid section of the Lachlan river catchment, and each with differing levels of human use/impact. 
This project will establish whether water quality and water regime (either singularly or in combination) influence plant diversity, growth, biomass, seed viability and/or seed bank emergence, and if the species composition of a wetland has a significant effect on the water quality and chemical composition.

A combination of field vegetation surveys and controlled laboratory experiments will be used to determine what effect water quality and water regime have on aquatic plant communities and provide a basis for developing a conceptualised ecological model of Lake Brewster. This will take into account seasonal changes, known variability and ecological relationships as a means for identifying the hydrological and water quality requirements of the current vegetative communities in each lake.

Outcomes

Completion of this project will contribute to the current understanding of the importance and function of inland ephemeral lakes in the temperate regions of the world. Results from this project will also allow for more informed decision making when the use of constructed and modified wetlands is required to improve outflow water quality.

More specifically, this project also contributes to the monitoring and reporting of the environmental outcomes associated with the Lake Brewster Water Efficiency Project (LBWEP), a $13 million project to improve the operational efficiency, water quality and wetland environment of Lake Brewster.

Progress

In January 2013, a project proposal seminar was held with Charles Sturt University academic staff followed by a field visit to Lake Brewster. Field observations informed the development of methods for field vegetation surveys and controlled laboratory experiments.

 
Project News
Site visits in February 2013 indicated the outflow wetland was showing a vegetation response while the inflow wetland had dried down and was disconnected.

Related Info

Media
Related Links
References
  • Lachlan Catchment Management Authority, State Water and Lachlan Valley Water Users (2009), Lake Brewster: Land and Water Management Plan, Lachlan Catchment Management Authority, Forbes, NSW.
  • Lachlan Catchment Management Authority, State Water and Lachlan Valley Water Users (2009), Lake Brewster Water Efficiency Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, Lachlan Catchment Management Authority, Forbes, NSW.
  • Lachlan Catchment Management Authority (2009), Lake Brewster Water Efficiency Project Fish Management and Operations Plan, Lachlan Catchment Management Authority, Forbes, NSW.
  • OzArk Environmental and Heritage Management Pty Limited (2008), Archaeological Test Excavations Lake Brewster, Southwest of Lake Cargelligo, NSW, Report prepared by for State Water Corporation, Dubbo NSW.
  • Thurtell, L., McKenzie-McHarg, A., & Raisin G. (2003), Lachlan Lower Lakes Water Quality Investigation, NSW Department of Sustainable Natural Resources, Orange, NSW.
Related Projects
  • Lake Brewster Water Efficiency Project (LBWEP)
  • 2012 - 2015