A Major Physical and Biological Survey of the Wetlands of the River Murray.
Click here for a map and the Wetlands Survey Data List
When planning to manage a wetland it is important to understand the wetland, its physical characteristics, flora and fauna and the threats that may be affecting wetland health. Monitoring the condition of a wetland prior to undertaking management is known as a Baseline Survey. A Baseline Survey may include the collection of data for a number of environmental parameters including surface water salinity, groundwater, fish and vegetation.
The River Murray Wetlands Baseline Survey Projects undertaken in 2003/04 and 2005 collected data at 61 wetlands (39 and 22 respectively) along the River Murray in South Australia, from the NSW/Vic border to the Murray Mouth. A further 8 wetlands were surveyed in 2006.
At each wetland, data was collected on physical site characteristics, water quality, groundwater, vegetation, fish, birds, frogs and macro-invertebrates.
These major biological and physical surveys were undertaken in a bid to learn more about the River Murray and its wetlands, provide a snapshot of baseline condition, and inform community wetland management planning and on-ground works .