cfev assessment of the macquarie river catchment finaldpipwe.tas.gov.au/documents/macquarie river...

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Water Assessment Aquatic Ecology Report Series

Assessment of freshwater ecosystem values

in the Macquarie River catchment

W at er A ss essm ent B r a nch

W a t e r R eso u rc es D i v i s i on

D epa r tm en t o f P r im ar y I ndu s t r i e s a nd W at e r

October 2008 ISSN: 1835-9523

Report No. WA 08/51

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Copyright Notice:

Material contained in the report provided is subject to Australian copyright law. Other than in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968 of the Commonwealth Parliament, no part of this report may, in any form or by any means, be reproduced, transmitted or used. This report cannot be redistributed for any commercial purpose whatsoever, or distributed to a third party for such purpose, without prior written permission being sought from the Department of Primary Industries and Water, on behalf of the Crown in Right of the State of Tasmania.

Disclaimer:

Whilst DPIW has made every attempt to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information and data provided, it is the responsibility of the data user to make their own decisions about the accuracy, currency, reliability and correctness of information provided. The Department of Primary Industries and Water, its employees and agents, and the Crown in the Right of the State of Tasmania do not accept any liability for any damage caused by, or economic loss arising from, reliance on this information.

Prepared by:

Justine Latton and Scott Hardie, with assistance from John Gooderham, Tom Krasnicki and Chris Bobbi (all from DPIW).

Preferred Citation:

DPIW (2008). Assessment of freshwater ecosystem values in the Macquarie River catchment. Water Assessment Aquatic Ecology Report Series, Report No. WA 08/51. Water Resources Division. Department of Primary Industries and Water, Hobart, Tasmania.

Contact Details:

Department of Primary Industries and Water Water Assessment 13 St Johns Avenue, New Town. Phone: 03 6233 6833 Web: www.dpiw.tas.gov.au Email: [email protected]

Cover Page Image:

Barton Broadwater, Macquarie River at Barton, August 2008 (a priority geomorphic feature in the CFEV database).

The Department of Primary Industries and Water

The Department of Primary Industries and Water provides leadership in the sustainable management and development of Tasmania’s resources. The Mission of the Department is to advance Tasmania’s prosperity through the sustainable development of our natural resources and the conservation of our natural and cultural heritage for the future.

The Water Resources Division provides a focus for water management and water development in Tasmania through a diverse range of functions including the design of policy and regulatory frameworks to ensure sustainable use of the surface water and groundwater resources; monitoring, assessment and reporting on the condition of the State’s freshwater resources; facilitation of infrastructure development projects to ensure the efficient and sustainable supply of water; and implementation of the Water Management Act 1999, related

legislation and the State Water Development Plan.

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Summary

This report details an aquatic environmental values assessment that was undertaken for freshwater-dependent ecosystems in the Macquarie River catchment (upstream of the confluence with the Lake River) to support the development of a Water Management Plan. The environmental values were almost entirely derived from an interrogation of the Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystem Values (CFEV) database. This database objectively identifies important environmental values which can be used to guide the development of a priori objectives for environmental flows assessments.

Freshwater-dependent ecosystems in the Macquarie River catchment include rivers, wetlands, waterbodies and a single karst system. Generally, freshwater ecosystems in the upper reaches of the Macquarie catchment, notably upstream of the Tooms River confluence and in the headwaters of the Glen Morriston Rivulet, are in reasonable condition. Conversely, freshwater ecosystems in the remainder of the catchment, which includes basically all of the lowland areas, are in poor condition.

This assessment shows that although many freshwater-dependent ecosystems in the Macquarie River catchment have been highly modified hydrologically and physically, several unique ecosystems support a wide variety of flora and fauna of high conservation value. The main environmental values that were identified by the CFEV database relate to the distinctive riverine geomorphic characteristics of the catchment, as well as remnant riparian tree assemblages, particularly in the upper reaches of the Macquarie and Elizabeth catchments. Significant plant species include a number of endemic threatened flora species and shrubby Eucalyptus ovata and Eucalyptus rodwayi forests. Endemic, and in some instances threatened, fish (Swan galaxias), frogs (green and gold frog and southern toadlet) and invertebrates (including two caddisflies and the South Esk freshwater mussel) occur in various rivers and wetlands within the catchment. The wetlands and waterbodies that make up the Ellinthorpe Plains Lagoon Complex (in the upper Isis catchment) are all listed as important bird sites in the CFEV database.

Catchment overview

The Macquarie River catchment is located in central eastern Tasmania. This assessment focuses on the region of the catchment above the confluence with the Lake River, which covers an area of approximately 2697 km2. The main tributaries of the Macquarie River in this region include the Blackman River, Isis River, Elizabeth River and Glen Morriston Rivulet. From its headwaters just south of Lake Leake in the Eastern Tiers, the Macquarie River flows south through dolerite hills to the confluence with the Tooms River. This section of the river contains largely intact riparian vegetation (mostly dry sclerophyll forest communities) and, generally, is in good condition. Downstream of this area, the river has a low-gradient, often meandering channel as it flows north-west over Launceston Tertiary Basin sediments to the confluence with the Lake River. In this region, extensive agriculture has led to highly degraded riparian areas, with floodplains often being cleared of most native vegetation to the river bank. Where there is riparian vegetation, it is often composed of exotic weeds (such as European gorse and willow trees), and erosion is common where riparian vegetation is non-existent.

Currently, there are more than 300 water allocations on the Macquarie River above the Lake River confluence; these are used for irrigation and small-scale stock and domestic supplies, as well as the municipal needs of the townships of Ross and Campbell Town. Currently, the Elizabeth Macquarie Irrigation Trust manages the water in the main channels of the Elizabeth and Macquarie rivers to the confluence of the Lake River, which is primarily supplied by the impoundments in the headwaters of the

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catchment, Lake Leake and Tooms Lake. Blackman Water Pty Ltd is currently being established to manage the water in the main stem of the Blackman River between the Blackman Dam and the confluence of the Blackman River and the Macquarie River, including that stored in the Blackman Dam. The Department of Primary Industries and Water (DPIW) manages the licensing of off-stream storages in the region (i.e. farm dams), direct takes from tributaries of the Macquarie River and the high flow water in the region. Trout fishing is the principal recreational activity in the riverine environments of this region.

Methodology

Water Management Regions

After consultation with the Water Management and Water Policy and Planning Branches of DPIW, the Macquarie catchment was divided into five Water Management Regions (WMRs) for management purposes (Figure 1). These regions have been used throughout the report as spatial units for examining environmental values in the catchment, and were determined using a combination of the following:

• Existing water management areas (e.g. irrigation districts and old water districts)

• Practical and logical management areas based on experience of managing water resources in this catchment

• Confluence of streams (nodes), as these form the basis of water trading zones

• Areas with similar riverine geomorphology

Therefore, based on the above considerations, the five WMRs that will be referred to in this report are as follows (Figure 1):

1. Upper Macquarie River including Tooms Lake and all tributaries upstream of the confluence with the Elizabeth River except the Blackman River and its tributaries.

2. Blackman River and its tributaries.

3. Isis River and its tributaries.

4. Macquarie River downstream of Elizabeth River, including all tributaries down to the confluence with Lake River.

5. Elizabeth River and its tributaries, including Lake Leake.

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Figure 1. The Macquarie River catchment upstream of the confluence with the Lake River, Tasmania, showing Water Management Regions (WMRs). The main channel of the Macquarie River is indicated by a thick line, and wetlands and waterbodies are also included. For clarity, first-order streams have been excluded. Base data by the LIST, © State of Tasmania.

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CFEV database interrogation

Conservation values in the Macquarie River catchment were examined by interrogating the Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystem Values (CFEV) database (CFEV, 2005). The CFEV database provides an objective means to identify the ecological values in a catchment (DPIW, 2008a) and, therefore, helps to define the objectives of water management activities and the aims of environmental flows that may be provided under a Water Management Plan.

The CFEV framework includes condition as Naturalness, which is an index of the ecosystem’s departure from modelled pre-European settlement condition. Ecosystems are given a Naturalness score (N-score), which is assigned a category, so a High N-score corresponds to a relatively unmodified ecosystem. Two ratings of conservation value are provided by the CFEV database, both of which were used to identify values within the Macquarie catchment. The Representative Conservation Value (RCV) is a value based on the rarity and condition of the ecosystem and the important biophysical class associated with it. The Integrated Conservation Value (ICV) is a value based on the RCV combined with the presence of any Special Values (SVs; such as threatened species) (DPIW, 2008a).

To provide details of the freshwater-dependent ecosystems of greatest conservation value (i.e. best examples of biophysical classes), only A-band RCV and High or Very High ICV ecosystems were examined in this assessment. Other ecosystems that have B- or C-band RCV in the Macquarie River catchment may also be of conservation value, but, according to the CFEV database, may not be the best examples of biophysical classes; therefore, these were not included in the assessment. The values of all river sections in the catchment (i.e. all stream orders) were assessed, as some SVs and unique biophysical classes may be found only in headwater streams, and it was considered relevant to provide details on all freshwater ecosystem values within the catchment. Further aquatic values, primarily relating to flora and fauna species which are listed under State (Tasmanian Threatened Species Protected Act 1995) and federal (Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) threatened species legislation, were identified by interrogating the Natural Values Atlas (DPIW, 2008b) and the threatened species lists of DPIW (http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/SJON-58E2VD?open; accessed on 8 August 2008).

It is important to note that in the CFEV database, biophysical classes are largely modelled to represent pre-European settlement conditions. As such, it is acknowledged that the identified biophysical classes should be accompanied by field studies to verify their presence and condition. To assist with this in the Macquarie catchment, a validation study, which focused on selected biophysical classes in the catchment, has recently been undertaken (Davies et al., 2007); the results of the validation study should be cross-referenced with this report.

The current report uses a number of terms that are specific to the CFEV Project; definitions of these terms are provided in Appendix 7. For further information about the CFEV database and how it was developed see the CFEV website (http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/ThemeNodes/CGRM-7JH6CM?open; accessed on 15 October 2008).

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Freshwater ecosystem values in the Macquarie catchment

Freshwater-dependent ecosystems in the Macquarie River catchment include rivers, wetlands, waterbodies and a single karst system. Generally, freshwater ecosystems in the upper reaches of the Macquarie catchment, notably upstream of the Tooms River confluence and in the headwaters of the Glen Morriston Rivulet, have High N-scores and, hence, are in reasonable condition (Figure 2). Additionally, in other regions of the catchment, the headwaters of several tributaries of the Macquarie River, such as the Blackman River, the Isis River and Blanchards Creek, also have High N-scores (Figure 2). Freshwater ecosystems in the remainder of the catchment, which includes basically all of the lowland areas, have Low N-scores; thus, are in poor condition. It should be noted, that any man-made ecosystem (such as an impounded natural wetland or lake) will be assigned a Low N-score, as it has been heavily modified from its natural condition. Hence, both Lake Leake and Tooms Lake have Low N-scores (Figure 2).

Freshwater ecosystems of A-band RCV are mostly concentrated in the upper Macquarie catchment, particularly in the Macquarie River above Tooms Lake and in the Elizabeth catchment above Chimney Hill (Figure 3). Additionally, relatively small river reaches, waterbodies or wetlands in the upper regions of the Blackman River, the Isis River and Blanchards Creek catchments, are also A-band RCV (Figure 3). If an ecosystem’s associated important biophysical class is the best example of its type in Tasmania (despite being in poor condition) then the RCV may be elevated to A-band. Examples of this can be seen in the waterbodies Tooms Lake and Lake Leake, and also in the mid-reaches of the Macquarie River downstream of the township of Ross (Figure 3). Freshwater ecosystems in the remainder of the catchment, which includes basically all of the lowland areas, have B- or C-band RCV.

Similar to the patterns of RCV across the Macquarie catchment, freshwater ecosystems of Very High ICV mostly occur in the upper reaches of the Macquarie and Elizabeth rivers, with additional isolated river sections in the mid-reaches of the Macquarie River and in the upper reaches of the Blackman River (Figure 4). Wetlands and waterbodies of Very High ICV occur mainly in the mid-reaches of the Upper Macquarie WMR and in the upper reaches of the Isis WMR (Figure 4). The presence of SVs in an ecosystem will increase its ICV in comparison to its RCV. Examples of this in the Macquarie catchment occur on the main stem of the Elizabeth River, where some B- and C-band RCV ecosystems have been elevated to Very High ICV with the inclusion of SVs (Figure 4). Despite there being some ecosystems of High ICV across the catchment, most of the remaining freshwater ecosystems have Low or Medium ICV.

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Figure 2. Naturalness in the Macquarie River catchment upstream of the confluence with the Lake River, Tasmania according to the CFEV database. For clarity, first-order streams have been excluded. Base data by the LIST, © State of Tasmania and CFEV, © State of Tasmania.

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Figure 3. Representative Conservation Value (RCV) in the Macquarie River catchment upstream of the confluence with the Lake River, Tasmania according to the CFEV database. For clarity, first-order streams have been excluded. Base data by the LIST, © State of Tasmania and CFEV, © State of Tasmania.

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Figure 4. Integrated Conservation Value (ICV) in the Macquarie River catchment upstream of the confluence with the Lake River, Tasmania according to the CFEV database. For clarity, first-order streams have been excluded. Base data by the LIST, © State of Tasmania and CFEV, © State of Tasmania.

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Freshwater ecosystem values in water management regions

A summary of the freshwater-dependent ecosystem values of the five WMRs in the Macquarie catchment above the Lake River confluence is provided in Table 1. Ecosystem values, which were derived from an interrogation of the CFEV database, may describe the important biophysical class of an ecosystem, or SVs present within the ecosystem. Complete CFEV output tables for each WMR are presented in Appendices 1-5.

Upper Macquarie WMR

The important biophysical class associated with the A-band RCV riverine ecosystems in this region is a fluvial geomorphic river type found in dolerite country in the Midlands area (Figure 5). This biophysical class makes up approximately 18% of the river sections in the region (Appendix 1). Important biophysical classes associated with wetlands are mostly tree assemblages (Figure 5), particularly wet and dry sclerophyll vegetation.

High numbers of SVs occur in this WMR, including the Swan galaxias and green and gold frog, the endemic South Esk freshwater mussel, two endemic threatened flora species (and several other threatened flora species and communities), and a priority geomorphic feature (Long Marsh “den sequence”) (Appendix 1).

Blackman River WMR

The river sections of A-band RCV are restricted to a small area in the upper catchment, where the Blackman River flows off the Western Tiers (Figure 6). In this area, the important biophysical class is a fluvial geomorphic river type. The important biophysical classes associated with wetlands of A-band RCV are mostly tree assemblages (Figure 6).

The presence of SVs in the Blackman WMR has elevated a number of ecosystems to High or Very High ICV (Appendix 2). These SVs include two macroinvertebrates (isopods) of conservation significance: the threatened salt lake slater and the phylogenetically distinct phreatoicid isopod. Threatened flora species and communities are also present, including an endemic threatened flora species (Tunbridge buttercup), and the lagoons near the Isis catchment (Ellinthorpe Plains Lagoon Complex) are listed as important bird sites on the CFEV database (Appendix 2).

Isis River WMR

A small portion of the upper catchment is A-band RCV and High or Very High ICV (Figure 7). Important biophysical classes include a geomorphic river class and a tree assemblage associated with the wetlands. A karst system in the west of the region is rated as A-band RCV and High ICV (Figure 7), having no associated SVs (Appendix 3). SVs associated with the High and Very High ICV ecosystems in the upper catchment include threatened flora species and communities, and a number of wetlands and waterbodies in the Ellinthorpe Plains Lagoon Complex are listed as important bird sites (Appendix 3).

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Macquarie downstream of Elizabeth WMR

Relatively high numbers of important biophysical classes associated with freshwater ecosystems of A-band RCV occur in Macquarie downstream of Elizabeth WMR (Figure 8). These include a native fish assemblage and a macrophyte assemblage associated with broadwater habitats, as well as some tree classes and the geomorphic class which characterizes the catchment. Ecosystems of A-band RCV are mostly confined to the Blanchards Creek catchment, where a number of river sections with Low N-scores have A-band RCV, indicating that, although the area may be highly modified, it contains river sections that are among the most representative of these important biophysical classes in Tasmania.

SVs in the region include, amongst others, Swan galaxias, southern toadlet the priority geomorphic feature “The Broadwater” at Barton, a threatened caddis fly, South Esk freshwater mussel, and two endemic flora species (clasping-leaf heath and Midlands wattle) (Appendix 4).

Elizabeth River WMR

Freshwater ecosystems of A-band RCV occur almost exclusively in the upper reaches of the Elizabeth WMR, in the river sections and wetlands upstream of the Hortons Creek confluence at Chimney Hill (Figure 9). These are mostly tree assemblages and the geomorphic class typical of the Macquarie catchment (G17), but also include a first-order stream macroinvertebrate assemblage. SVs include endemic flora species, a threatened caddis fly and the green and gold frog (Appendix 5). As illustrated in the RCV and ICV maps (Figures 3 and 4), river sections of B-and C-band RCV along the main stem of the Elizabeth River have often been elevated to Very High ICV in the CFEV database. This indicates the presence of outstanding and/or multiple SVs in these river sections.

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Table 1. Summary of freshwater-dependant ecosystem values in the Macquarie River catchment upstream of the confluence with the Lake River, Tasmania according to the CFEV database (CFEV, 2005). Ecosystem values may represent important biophysical classes or Special Values. For full CFEV output tables refer to Appendices 1-5.

Water management subregion

Ecosystem types

Ecosystem values Example values

Upper Macquarie River

Wetland

Waterbody

Native fish and frogs Swan galaxias (Galaxias fontanus)

Green and gold frog (Litoria raniformis)

Macroinvertebrates Caddis fly (Oxyethira mienica)

South Esk freshwater mussel (Velesunio moretonicus)

Geomorphic features Long Marsh “den sequence”

Riparian and wetland vegetation

Tasmanian bertya (Bertya tasmanica subsp. tasmanica)

Tunbridge buttercup (Ranunculus prasinus)

Aquatic macrophytes Mud dock (Rumex bidens)

Blackman River River

Wetland

Waterbody

Macroinvertebrates Phreatoicid isopod (Paraphreatoicus relictus)

Salt lake slater (Haloniscus searlei)


Curly sedge (Carex tasmanica)

Tunbridge buttercup (Ranunculus prasinus)

Important bird sites Pump Lagoon 2 and Bell Lagoon (Ellinthorpe Plains Lagoon Complex)

Isis River River

Wetland

Waterbody

Karst


Swamp wallaby grass (Amphibromus neesii)

Important bird sites Mrs Teddys Lagoons 1and 2, Clarks, Silo, Weedy, Reedy, Bar, Folly, Forest and Little Lagoons (Ellinthorpe Plains Lagoon Complex)

Macquarie d/s Elizabeth

River

Wetland

Native fish Swan galaxias (Galaxias fontanus)

Assemblage including Gadopsis marmoratus and Nannoperca australis

Macroinvertebrates Caddis fly (Ecnomina vega)

South Esk freshwater mussel (Velesunio moretonicus)

Geomorphic features “The Broadwater”, Barton (Macquarie River)


Clasping-leaf heath (Epacris acuminata)

Midlands wattle (Acacia axillaris)

Melaleuca ericifolia coastal swamp forest

Aquatic macrophytes Species-rich, dense assemblage including Myriophyllum sp., Potamogeton sp.

Elizabeth River River

Wetland

Waterbody

Frogs Green and gold frog (Litoria raniformis)

Southern toadlet (Pseudophryne semimarmorata)

Macroinvertebrates Caddis fly (Oxyethira mienica)


Melaleuca ericifolia coastal swamp forest

Hill hovea (Hovea tasmanica)

Clasping-leaf heath (Epacris acuminata)

Midlands wattle (Acacia axillaris)

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Figure 5. Important biophysical classes associated with freshwater ecosystems with A-band RCV in the Upper Macquarie WMR. Descriptions of biophysical classes are shown in Appendix 6. Base data by the LIST, © State of Tasmania and CFEV, © State of Tasmania.

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Figure 6. Important biophysical classes associated with freshwater ecosystems of A-band RCV in the Blackman River WMR. Descriptions of biophysical classes are shown in Appendix 6. Base data by the LIST, © State of Tasmania and CFEV, © State of Tasmania.

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Figure 7. Important biophysical classes associated with freshwater ecosystems of A-band RCV in the Isis River WMR. Descriptions of biophysical classes are shown in Appendix 6. Base data by the LIST, © State of Tasmania and CFEV, © State of Tasmania.

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Figure 8. Important biophysical classes associated with freshwater ecosystems of A-band RCV in the Macquarie downstream of Elizabeth River WMR. Descriptions of biophysical classes are shown in Appendix 6. Base data by the LIST, © State of Tasmania and CFEV, © State of Tasmania.

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Figure 9. Important biophysical classes associated with freshwater ecosystems of A-band RCV in the Elizabeth River WMR. Descriptions of biophysical classes are shown in Appendix 6. Base data by the LIST, © State of Tasmania and CFEV, © State of Tasmania.

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Lake ecosystem values

The artificial impoundments Tooms Lake (Figure 10) and Lake Leake (Figure 11) were created in the 1830s and 1880s, respectively. Prior to its impoundment, Tooms Lake was a natural lagoon, whereas Lake Leake was a ‘bog’ or wetland. These waterbodies now support unique freshwater ecosystems. The CFEV database provides six biological and physical classes which characterise waterbodies across Tasmania (DPIW, 2008a). These classes represent: the physical attributes of the waterbody, crayfish assemblages, native fish assemblages, native tree assemblages and the Tyler corridor (which reflects biochemical regionalisations). The important biophysical class of a waterbody is that of which the waterbody is considered to be the most representative. The important biophysical class in both Lake Leake and Tooms Lake is the waterbody physical class Wb15 (Table 2), which describes the surface area, depth, and shoreline development of the lakes. Other than the important biophysical class, all other biophysical classes are the same in both lakes, except the native fish assemblage class. According to the CFEV database, Tooms Lake contains no native fish, or has few species at very low densities (F0), whereas Lake Leake contains short-finned eels (Table 2). Special Values in both lakes are threatened flora species and priority flora communities associated with the riparian vegetation. Additionally, both lakes contain platypus (Ornithorynchus anatinus) (Table 2).

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Figure 10. Integrated Conservation Value (ICV) of Tooms Lake and surrounding freshwater-dependent ecosystems in the Upper Macquarie WMR. Base data by the LIST, © State of Tasmania and CFEV, © State of Tasmania.

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Figure 11. Integrated Conservation Value (ICV) of Lake Leake and the surrounding freshwater-dependent ecosystems in the Elizabeth River WMR. Base data by the LIST, © State of Tasmania and CFEV, © State of Tasmania.

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Table 2. Freshwater-dependent ecosystem

values of Lake Leake and Tooms Lake according to the CFEV database (C

FEV, 2005). Except the fish class, the

biophysical classes of Tooms Lake, including the important biophysical class, are the same as those of Lake Leake.

Waterbody

RCV*

ICV*

Biophysical classes

Biophysical class species composition

Special Values§

Lake L

eake

A b

and

Very

Hig

h

Waterbody Physical Class Wb15**:

Larg

e

are

a,

deep t

o v

ery

deep a

rtific

ial w

ate

rbody,

with s

imple

shore

line d

evelo

pm

ent.

NA

T

hre

ate

ned f

lora

specie

s:

austr

al pill

wort

(pilularia novae-hollandiae)

(OS

)

Thre

ate

ned f

lora

specie

s:

pla

in q

uill

wort

(Isoetes drummondii subsp. drummondii)

(OS

)

Priority

flo

ra c

om

munitie

s: m

arg

inal

herb

field

/gra

ssla

nd (

OS

)

Phylo

genetically

dis

tinct fa

una s

pecie

s:

pla

typus (Ornithorynchus anatinus)

(NS

)

Crayfish Class C3: Astacopsis franklinii

pre

sent.

Astacopsis franklinii

Fish Class F55:

Assem

bla

ge w

here

only

the

short

-fin

ned e

el exis

ts,

with t

hre

e s

epara

te

dis

trib

utions;

east of T

am

ar,

centr

al pla

teau

(west of

Gre

at Lake)

and s

outh

-east

Tasm

ania

, exte

ndin

g a

cro

ss t

he M

idla

nds

are

a.

Anguilla australis

Frog Class FR11:

Easte

rn H

ighla

nds

assem

bla

ge.

Assem

bla

ge c

hara

cte

rised b

y h

igh p

robabili

ty o

f occurr

ence o

f: Limnodynastes tasmaniensis,

Limnodynastes dumerili insularis, Litoria ewingi, Crinia

signifera, Pseudophryne semimarmorata, Crinia

tasmaniensis

Tree Assemblage Class T39:

South

ern

M

idla

nds w

et

scle

rophyll,

dry

scle

rophyll

and

gra

ssy w

oodla

nds.

Much o

f th

is a

ssem

bla

ge

has b

een c

leare

d f

or

farm

ing. M

ain

ly o

n

rolli

ng t

opogra

phy w

ith f

rost

hollo

ws a

nd

mars

hes,

on s

edim

enta

ry s

ubstr

ate

s.

Acacia dealbata, Banksia marginata, Beyeria viscosa,

Eucalyptus amygdalina, Eucalyptus dalrympleana,

Eucalyptus delegatensis, Eucalyptus ovata, Eucalyptus

pauciflora, Eucalyptus pulchella, Eucalyptus rodwayi,

Eucalyptus rubida, Eucalyptus viminalis, Exocarpos

cupressiformis, Notelaea ligustrina, Olearia argophylla,

Pomaderris apetala, Pomaderris elliptica

Tyler Corridor Class TY1:

“Cle

arw

ate

r”

wate

rbodie

s. W

ate

rbody m

ost lik

ely

to h

ave

blu

e-g

reen o

ptical environm

ent

(‘gilv

in

dom

inate

d’); E

ast of T

yle

r corr

idor.

NA

Toom

s L

ake

A b

and

Very

Hig

h

Fish Class F0:

Native fis

h a

bsent or

low

pro

babili

ty o

f occurr

ence a

nd/o

r at very

low

densitie

s.

NA

P

riority

flo

ra c

om

munitie

s: sedge/r

ush

wetland (

OS

)

Priority

flo

ra c

om

munitie

s: m

arg

inal

herb

field

/gra

ssla

nd (

OS

)

Phylo

genetically

dis

tinct fa

una s

pecie

s:

pla


(NS

)

*RC

V a

nd I

CV

refe

r to

Repre

senta

tive C

onserv

ation V

alu

e a

nd I

nte

gra

ted C

onserv

ation V

alu

e r

espectively

.

**T

he im

port

ant

bio

physic

al cla

ss o

f th

e e

cosyste

m a

ccord

ing t

o t

he C

FE

V d

ata

base.

§O

S,

U a

nd N

S r

efe

r to

outs

tandin

g, undiffe

rentiate

d a

nd n

on-o

uts

tandin

g s

pecia

l valu

es r

espectively

.

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References

CFEV (2005). Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystem Values Project Database. Water Resources Division, Department of Primary Industries and Water, Hobart, Tasmania.

Davies, P.E., Cook, L.S.J., Sloane, T., Koehnken, L., & Barker, P. (2007). Macquarie River Catchment: High Conservation Value Assets Descriptions Report. Report to the Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystem Values Project. Department of Primary Industries and Water, Hobart, Tasmania.

DPIW (2008a). Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystem Values (CFEV) Project Technical Report. Department of Primary Industries and Water, Hobart, Tasmania.

DPIW (2008b). Natural Values Atlas. Resource Management and Conservation, Department of Primary Industries and Water, Hobart, Tasmania. https://www.naturalvaluesatlas.dpiw.tas.gov.au/pls/apex/f?p=200:1: (Accessed on 8 August 2008).

24

Appendix 1. Important biophysical classes and Special Values of freshwater-dependent ecosystem

s in the Upper M

acquarie W

MR according to the CFEV

database (C

FEV, 2005). Biophysical class species compositions are presented in Appendix 6.

Ecosystem type Important biophysical classes (A-band RCV)

Extent of biophysical

class (% length or area

of ecosystem type)

Special Values*

Riv

er

Flu

via

l geom

orp

hic

riv

er

type (

G17)

18

Thre

ate

ned fauna s

pecie

s: S

wan g

ala

xia

s (Galaxias fontanus)

(OS

)

caddis

fly

(Oxyethira mienica)

(OS

)

Thre

ate

ned flo

ra s

pecie

s:

dro

opin

g s

edge (Carex longebrachiata

) (O

S)

alp

ine w

inte

r bent (Agrostis propinqua)

(OS

)

narr

ow

leaf

pom

aderr

is (Pomaderris phylicifolia subsp.

Phylicifolia

) (O

S)

sle

nder

twig

rush (Baumea gunnii) (

OS

)

w

ate

r w

oodru

ff (Asperula subsimplex)

(OS

)

dagger

watt

le (Acacia siculiformis

) (O

S)

T

asm

ania

n b

ert

ya (Bertya tasmanica subsp. tasmanica)

(OS

)

bitte

r cry

pta

ndra

(Cryptandra amara

) (O

S)

m

ud d

ock (Rumex bidens)

(OS

)

austr

al pill

wo

rt (Pilularia novae-hollandiae

) (O

S)

sle

nder

knotw

eed (Persicaria decipiens)

(OS

)

m

ounta

in s

edge (Carex gunniana)

(OS

)

Thre

ate

ned flo

ra c

om

munitie

s: shru

bby Eucalyptus ovata f

ore

st

(OS

)

Eucalyptus rodwayi fo

rest

(OS

)

Priority

fauna s

pecie

s: S

outh

Esk fre

sh

wate

r m

ussel (Velesunio moretonicus)

(OS

)

Priority

flo

ra c

om

munitie

s: m

arg

inal herb

field

/gra

ssla

nd (

OS

)

low

land Poa g

rassla

nd (

NS

)

riparian (

NS

)

Phylo

genetically

dis

tinct fa

una s

pecie

s: pla


(NS

)

Fauna s

pecie

s r

ichness s

ite: M

acquarie R

iver

at W

ildern

ess T

rack (

OS

)

25

Priority

geom

orp

hic

featu

res:

Long M

ars

h “

den s

equence”

(NS

)

Wetland

Tre

e a

ssem

bla

ge (

T20)

Tre

e a

ssem

bla

ge (

T28)

Tre

e a

ssem

bla

ge (

T34)

Tre

e a

ssem

bla

ge (

T39)

Tre

e a

ssem

bla

ge (

T41)

Wetlands p

hysic

al cla

ss (

WLP

25)

Dom

inant

wetland v

egeta

tion type (

Dv-G

I)

<1

1

<1

<1

4

1

3

Thre

ate

ned fauna s

pecie

s: gre

en a

nd g

old

fro

g (Litoria raniformis

) (U

)

Thre

ate

ned flo

ra s

pecie

s:

Tunbridge b

utt

erc

up (Ranunculus prasinus)

(OS

)

gold

en d

odder

(Cuscuta tasmanica)

(OS

)

sle

nder

twig


OS

)

dro

opin

g s


) (O

S)

mars

h c

lub-r

ush (Bolboschoenus medianus)

(OS

)

Thre

ate

ned flo

ra c

om

munitie

s: shru


ore

st

(OS

)


rest

(OS

)

Priority

fauna s

pecie

s: south

ern

toadle

t (Pseudophryne semimarmorata

) (O

S)

Priority

flo

ra c

om

munitie

s: sedge/r

ush w

etland (

OS

)

marg

inal herb

field

/gra

ssla

nd (

OS

)

low

land Poa g

rassla

nd (

NS

)

Phylo

genetically

dis

tinct fa

una s

pecie

s: pla


(NS

)

Wate

rbody

Wate

rbody p

hysic

al cla

ss (

Wb15)

100

Priority

flo

ra c

om

munitie

s: sedge/r

ush w

etland (

OS

)

marg

inal herb

field

/gra

ssla

nd (

OS

)

Phylo

genetically

dis

tinct fa

una s

pecie

s: pla


(NS

)

*OS

, U

and N

S r

efe

r to

outs

tandin

g, u

ndiffe

rentiate

d a

nd n

on-o

uts

tandin

g s

pecia

l valu

es r

espectively

.

26


s in the Blackman River W


database (C


Ecosystem

type

Important biophysical classes (A-band RCV)



of ecosystem type)

Special Values*

Riv

er

Flu

via

l geom

orp

hic

riv

er

type (

G17)

4

Thre

ate

ned flo

ra s

pecie

s:

dro

opin

g s


) (O

S)

wate

r w

oodru

ff (Asperula subsimplex)

(OS

)

dagger

wattle

(Acacia siculiformis

) (O

S)

bitte

r cry

pta

ndra

(Cryptandra amara

) (O

S)

mounta

in s

edge (Carex gunniana

) (O

S)

long-n

osed s

wam

p w

alla

by g

rass (Amphibromus macrorhinus)

(OS

)

shru


ore

st (O

S)


rest (O

S)

Priority

flo

ra c

om

munitie

s: m

arg

inal herb

field

/gra

ssla

nd (

OS

)

hig

hla

nd Poa g

rassla

nd (

NS

)

lo

wla

nd Poa g

rassla

nd (

NS

)

rip

arian (

NS

)

Phylo

genetically

dis

tinct fa

una s

pecie

s:

phre

ato

icid

isopod (Paraphreatoicus relictus)

(OS

)

pla


(NS

)

Wetland

Tre

e a

ssem

bla

ge (

T20)

Tre

e a

ssem

bla

ge (

T39)

Tre

e a

ssem

bla

ge (

T41)

Wetlands p

hysic

al cla

ss (

WLP

25)

Wetlands p

hysic

al cla

ss (

WLP

30)

7

<1

<1

3

3

Thre

ate

ned flo

ra s

pecie

s: curly s

edge (Carex tasmanica)

(OS

)

Tunbridge b

utterc

up (Ranunculus prasinus)

(OS

)

gold

en d

odder

(Cuscuta tasmanica)

(OS

)

Thre

ate

ned flo

ra c

om

munitie

s: Eucalyptus rodwayi fo

rest

(OS

)

Priority

flo

ra c

om

munitie

s: sedge/r

ush w

etland (

OS

)

marg

inal herb

field

/gra

ssla

nd (

OS

)

27

hig

hla

nd Poa g

rassla

nd (

NS

)

lo

wla

nd Poa g

rassla

nd (

NS

)

Phylo

genetically

dis

tinct fa

una s

pecie

s:

pla


(NS

)

Import

ant bird s

ite: P

um

p L

agoon 2

(E

llinth

orp

e P

lain

s L

agoon C

om

ple

x)

(NS

)

Wate

rbody

Tyle

r C

lass -

Low

land s

alt lakes a

nd p

ans (

TY

5)

Wate

rbody p

hysic

al cla

ss (

Wb11)

7

5

Thre

ate

ned fauna s

pecie

s: salt lake s

late

r (Haloniscus searlei) (

OS

)

sea c

lub-r

ush (Bolboschoenus caldwellii) (

OS

)

Phylo

genetically

dis

tinct fa

una s

pecie

s:

pla


(NS

)

Import

ant bird s

ite: B

ell

Lagoon (

Elli

nth

orp

e P

lain

s L

agoon C

om

ple

x)

(OS

)

*OS

, U

and N

S r

efe

r to

outs

tandin

g, u

ndiffe

rentiate

d a

nd n

on-o

uts

tandin

g s

pecia

l valu

es r

espectively

.

28


s in the Isis River W

MR according to the CFEV database

(CFEV, 2005). Biophysical class species compositions are presented in Appendix 6.

Ecosystem

type




of ecosystem type)

Special Values*

Riv

er

Flu

via

l geom

orp

hic

riv

er

type (

G17)

5

Thre

ate

ned flo

ra s

pecie

s:

dro

opin

g s


) (O

S)

sw

am

p w

alla

by g

rass (Amphibromus neesii)

(O

S)

sm

all

wrinkle

wort

(Siloxerus multiflorus)

(OS

)

lo

ng-n

osed s

wam

p w

alla

by g


(OS

)

pois

on lobelia

(Lobelia pratioides)

(U)

Priority

fauna s

pecie

s: S

outh

Esk fre

shw

ate

r m


(OS

)

Priority

flo

ra c

om

munitie

s: m

arg

inal herb

field

/gra

ssla

nd (

OS

)

hig

hla

nd g

rassy s

edgela

nd (

NS

)

lo

wla

nd Poa g

rassla

nd (

NS

)

rip

arian (

NS

)

Phylo

genetically

dis

tinct fa

una s

pecie

s:

pla


(NS

)

Wetland

Tre

e a

ssem

bla

ge (

T20)

Tyle

r C

lass –

low

land s

alt lakes a

nd p

ans (

TY

5)

21

7

Thre

ate

ned flo

ra s

pecie

s: sw

am

p w

alla

by g

rass (Amphibromus neesii) (

OS

)

pois

on lobelia

(Lobelia pratioides)

(U)

Priority

flo

ra c

om

munitie

s: m

arg

inal herb

field

/gra

ssla

nd (

OS

)

sedge/r

ush w

etland (

OS

)

hig

hla

nd g

rassy s

edgela

nd (

NS

)

Phylo

genetically

dis

tinct fa

una s

pecie

s:

pla


(NS

)

Import

ant bird s

ite: M

rs T

eddys L

agoon 1

(E

llinth

orp

e P

lain

s L

agoon C

om

ple

x)

(U)

Mrs

Teddys L

agoon 2

(E

llinth

orp

e P

lain

s L

agoon C

om

ple

x)

(U)

Cla

rks L

agoon (

Elli

thorp

e P

lain

s L

agoon C

om

ple

x)

(U)

Silo

Lagoon (

Elli

nth

orp

e P

lain

s L

agoon C

om

ple

x)

(U)

29

Weedy L

agoon (

Elli

nth

orp

e P

lain

s L

agoon C

om

ple

x)

(U)

Wate

rbody

Wate

rbody p

hysic

al cla

ss (

Wb11)

27

Thre

ate

ned flo

ra s

pecie

s: sw

am

p w

alla

by g

rass (Amphibromus neesii) (

OS

)

long-n

osed s

wam

p w

alla

by g


(OS

)

Priority

flo

ra c

om

munitie

s: m

arg

inal herb

field

/gra

ssla

nd (

OS

)

Phylo

genetically

dis

tinct fa

una s

pecie

s:

pla


(NS

)

Import

ant bird s

ite:

Reedy L

agoon (

Elli

nth

orp

e P

laiin

s L

agoon C

om

ple

x)

(U)

B

ar

Lagoon (

Elli

nth

orp

e P

lain

s L

agoon C

om

ple

x)

(U)

F

olly

Lagoon (

Elli

nth

orp

e P

lain

s L

agoon C

om

ple

x)

(U)

F

ore

st

Lagoon (

Elli

nth

orp

e P

lain

s L

agoon C

om

ple

x)

(U)

Little L

agoon (

Elli

nth

orp

e P

lain

s L

agoon C

om

ple

x)

(U)

Kars

t K

ars

t physic

al ty

pe (

K34)

86

NA

*OS

, U

and N

S r

efe

r to

outs

tandin

g, u

ndiffe

rentiate

d a

nd n

on-o

uts

tandin

g s

pecia

l valu

es r

espectively

.

30

Appendix 4.: Im

portant biophysical classes and Special Values of freshwater-dependent ecosystem

s in the Macquarie downstream

of Elizabeth River W

MR

according to the CFEV database (C


Ecosystem

type




of ecosystem type)

Special Values*

Riv

er

Flu

via

l geom

orp

hic

riv

er

type (

G17)

Native fis

h a

ssem

bla

ge (

F56)

Macro

phyte

assem

bla

ge (

M6)

Tre

e a

ssem

bla

ge (

T20)

Tre

e a

ssem

bla

ge (

T41)

10

1

2

<1

<1

Thre

ate

ned f

auna s

pecie

s: S

wan g

ala

xia

s (Galaxias fontanus)

(OS

)

caddis

fly

(M

acquarie r

iver)

(Ecnomina vega)

(OS

)

Thre

ate

ned f

lora

specie

s: cla

spin

g-leaf

heath

(Epacris acuminata

) (O

S)

Mid

lands w

att

le (Acacia axillaris)

(OS

)

sle

nder

twig


OS

)

Thre

ate

ned f

lora

com

munitie

s: shru

bby Eucalyptus ovata fore

st (O

S)

Melaleuca ericifolia c

oasta

l sw

am

p f

ore

st

(OS

)

Priority

fauna s

pecie

s: south

ern

toadle


) (O

S)

South

Esk fre

shw

ate

r m


(OS

)

Priority

flo

ra c

om

munitie

s: sedge/r

ush w

etland (

OS

)

low

land Poa g

rassla

nd (

NS

)

Phylo

genetically

dis

tinct fa

una s

pecie

s:

pla


(NS

)

Priority

geom

orp

hic

featu

res:

“The B

road

wate

r”,

Bart

on (

Macquarie R

iver)

(N

S)

Fauna s

pecie

s r

ichness s

ites: M

acquarie/M

orn

ingsid

e B

rook (

OS

)

Wetland

Tre

e a

ssem

bla

ge (

T20)

Wetlands p

hysic

al cla

ss (

WLP

3)

Dom

inant

wetland v

egeta

tion t

ype (

Dv-G

I)

1

<1

2

Thre

ate

ned f

lora

specie

s: sle

nder

twig


OS

)

Thre

ate

ned f

lora

com

munitie

s: Melaleuca ericifolia

coasta

l sw

am

p fore

st (O

S)

Priority

flo

ra c

om

munitie

s: sedge/r

ush w

etland (

OS

)

low

land Poa g

rassla

nd (

NS

)

Phylo

genetically

dis

tinct fa

una s

pecie

s:

pla


(NS

)

*OS

, U

and N

S r

efe

r to

outs

tandin

g, u

ndiffe

rentiate

d a

nd n

on-o

uts

tandin

g s

pecia

l valu

es r

espectively

.

31


s in the Elizabeth River W


database (C


Ecosystem

type




of ecosystem type)

Special Values*

Riv

er

Flu

via

l geom

orp

hic

riv

er

type (

G17)

Tre

e a

ssem

bla

ge (

T26)

Tre

e a

ssem

bla

ge (

T39)

Macro

invert

ebra

te a

ssem

bla

ge (

BC

2C

5f)

7

6

5

<1

Thre

ate

ned fauna s

pecie

s: caddis

fly

(Oxyethira mienica)

(OS

)

Thre

ate

ned flo

ra s

pecie

s:

hill

hovea (Hovea tasmanica)

(OS

)

cla

spin

g-leaf

heath

(Epacris acuminata

) (O

S)

m

idla

nds w

att

le (Acacia axillaris)

(OS

)

alp

ine c

lub r

ush (Isolepis habra

) (O

S)

Thre

ate

ned flo

ra c

om

munitie

s: shru


ore

st

(OS

)


rest (O

S)

Melaleuca ericifolia

coasta

l sw

am

p f

ore

st

Priority

flo

ra c

om

munitie

s: m

arg

inal herb

field

/gra

ssla

nd (

OS

)

lo

wla

nd Poa g

rassla

nd (

NS

)

rip

arian (

NS

)

Phylo

genetically

dis

tinct fa

una s

pecie

s:

pla


(NS

)

Wetland

Tre

e a

ssem

bla

ge (

T20)

Tre

e a

ssem

bla

ge (

T26)

Tre

e a

ssem

bla

ge (

T28)

Tre

e a

ssem

bla

ge (

T39)

Wetlands p

hysic

al cla

ss (

WLP

25)

Dom

inant

wetland v

egeta

tion t

ype (

Dv-G

I)

<1

4

<1

8

<1

<1

Thre

ate

ned fauna s

pecie

s:

gre

en a

nd g

old

fro

g (Litoria raniformis

) (U

)

south

ern

toadle


) (O

S)

Thre

ate

ned flo

ra s

pecie

s: curly s

edge (Carex tasmanica)

(OS

)

pla

in q

uill

wort

(Isoetes drummondii subsp. drummondii) (

OS

)

Thre

ate

ned flo

ra c

om

munitie

s: shru


ore

st

(OS

)


rest (O

S)

Melaleuca ericifolia coasta

l sw

am

p f

ore

st

Priority

flo

ra c

om

munitie

s: m

arg

inal herb

field

/gra

ssla

nd (

OS

)

lo

wla

nd Poa g

rassla

nd (

NS

)

Phylo

genetically

dis

tinct fa

una s

pecie

s:

pla


(NS

)

32

Wate

rbody

Wate

rbody p

hysic

al cla

ss (

Wb15)

100

Thre

ate

ned flo

ra s

pecie

s: a

ustr

al pill

wort

(pilularia novae-hollandiae)

pla

in q

uill

wort

(Isoetes drummondii subsp. drummondii) (

OS

)

Priority

flo

ra c

om

munitie

s: m

arg

inal herb

field

/gra

ssla

nd (

OS

)

Phylo

genetically

dis

tinct fa

una s

pecie

s:

pla


(NS

)

*OS

, U

and N

S r

efe

r to

outs

tandin

g, u

ndiffe

rentiate

d a

nd n

on-o

uts

tandin

g s

pecia

l valu

es r

espectively

.

33

Appendix 6. D

escriptions of important biophysical classes in the Macquarie River catchment according to the CFEV database (C

FEV, 2005).

Biophysical class

Class description

Flora and fauna species composition

F56

Assem

bla

ge in a

ll river

sections w

ithin

the S

outh

Esk b

asin

. Anguilla australis, Gadopsis marmoratus, Nannoperca australis, Galaxias fontanus

BC

2C

5f

Head

wate

r str

eam

assem

bla

ge o

f str

eam

s o

f th

e c

entr

al E

ast

Coast.

Tw

o a

ssem

bla

ges p

ote

ntially

pre

sent.

Indic

ato

r ta

xa

(E

PT

C g

roups):

C2: Hellyethira simplex,

Apsilochorema gisbum, Notalina fulva, G

om

phid

ae, A

tyid

ae, G

yrinid

ae L

, Ulmerochorema lentum;

C5 Koornonga s

p. A

V1, Taschorema complex, A

eshnid

ae, Atalophlebia

albiterminata, S

ialid

ae,

Lectrides varians, Ethochorema nesydrion

, Cheumatopsyche s

p. A

V3, Eusthenia spectabilis,

Genus I s

p. A

V3, D

ixid

ae,

Tanypodin

ae

M6

Em

erg

ent and S

ubm

erg

ed p

lant com

ple

x in b

roadw

ate

r/pool

habitats

(dense,

exte

nsiv

e, sta

ble

/hig

hly

str

uctu

red).

5A

els

ew

here

; H

igh p

robabili

ty o

f m

acro

phyte

assem

bla

ge

occurr

ence,

often d

ense/e

xte

nsiv

e.

Dom

inants

: Myriophyllum

sp., Potamogeton s

p.

T20

Nort

hern

mid

lands d

ry s

cle

rophyll

vegeta

tion. T

his

assem

bla

ge

occupie

s the n

ort

hern

part

of th

e m

idla

nds g

raben s

outh

of th

e

Tam

ar

Riv

er.

It is e

xte

nsiv

ely

cle

are

d a

nd is c

hara

cte

rised b

y a

re

latively

lo

w t

ree d

ivers

ity, perh

aps r

eflecting t

he e

ssentially

re

mnant

natu

re o

f th

e r

em

ain

ing n

ative v

egeta

tion.

Acacia dealbata, Bursaria spinosa, Eucalyptus amygdalina, Eucalyptus ovata, Eucalyptus

viminalis, Exocarpos cupressiformis

T26

Wet scle

rophyll,

rain

fore

sts

and u

pla

nd m

ars

hes o

f th

e E

aste

rn

Tie

rs, W

ayatinah a

nd W

entw

ort

h H

ills. T

his

assem

bla

ge c

onta

ins

many o

f th

e s

am

e e

lem

ents

as 1

5 a

nd 2

3,

but is

dis

tinguis

hed b

y

the inclu

sio

n o

f exte

nsiv

e m

ars

hes a

nd s

cru

b c

om

munitie

s.

Acacia dealbata, Atherosperma moschatum, Beyeria viscosa, Eucalyptus amygdalina, Eucalyptus

dalrympleana, Eucalyptus delegatensis, Eucalyptus gunnii, Eucalyptus obliqua, Eucalyptus ovata,

Eucalyptus pauciflora, Eucalyptus regnans, Eucalyptus rodwayi, Eucalyptus rubida, Eucalyptus

viminalis, Exocarpos cupressiformis, Leptospermum lanigerum, Notelaea ligustrina, Nothofagus

cunninghamii, Olearia argophylla, Phebalium squameum, Phyllocladus aspleniifolius, Pittosporum

bicolor, Pomaderris apetala, Pomaderris pilifera, Zieria arborescens

T28

Dry

scle

rophyll

and d

am

p s

cle

rophyll

fore

sts

found o

n t

he P

erm

ian

and T

riassic

sedim

enta

ry r

ocks o

f th

e low

er

mid

land

s, and

Derw

ent valle

y, exte

ndin

g to the E

ast C

oast w

est

of

Bic

heno a

nd

Long P

oin

t.

Acacia dealbata, Acacia mearnsii, Allocasuarina littoralis, Allocasuarina verticillata, Banksia

marginata, Beyeria viscosa, Bursaria spinosa, Eucalyptus amygdalina, Eucalyptus globulus s

ubsp.,

Eucalyptus ovata, Eucalyptus pulchella, Eucalyptus rodwayi, Eucalyptus rubida, Eucalyptus

tenuiramis, Eucalyptus viminalis, Exocarpos cupressiformis, Leptospermum scoparium v

ar.,

Notelaea ligustrina, Olearia argophylla, Pomaderris apetala, Pomaderris elliptica, Pomaderris

pilifera

T34

Low

er

mid

lands g

rassla

nds,

dry

scle

rophyll

woodla

nd a

nd fore

st,

main

ly o

n T

riassic

sedim

enta

ry r

ocks in u

pla

nd a

reas a

nd fro

st

hollo

ws.

Many o

f th

e c

om

munitie

s p

resent are

sim

ilar

to those

found in 2

8,3

7 a

nd 4

6, but 34 is c

hara

cte

rised b

y t

he p

resence o

f E. delegatensis

, E pauciflora

and E rodwayi.

Acacia dealbata, Acacia mearnsii, Allocasuarina littoralis, Allocasuarina verticillata, Banksia

marginata, Beyeria viscosa, Bursaria spinosa, Callitris rhomboidea, Eucalyptus amygdalina,

Eucalyptus delegatensis, Eucalyptus globulus s

ubsp., Eucalyptus ovata, Eucalyptus pauciflora,

Eucalyptus pulchella, Eucalyptus rodwayi, Eucalyptus rubida, Eucalyptus tenuiramis, Eucalyptus

viminalis, Exocarpos cupressiformis, Leptospermum grandiflorum, Leptospermum scoparium v

ar.,


pilifera

T39

South

ern

Mid

lands w

et

scle

rophyll,

dry

scle

rophyll

and g

rassy

woodla

nds. M

uch o

f th

is a

ssem

bla

ge h

as b

een c

leare

d for

Acacia dealbata, Banksia marginata, Beyeria viscosa, Eucalyptus amygdalina, Eucalyptus

dalrympleana, Eucalyptus delegatensis, Eucalyptus ovata, Eucalyptus pauciflora, Eucalyptus

34

farm

ing. M

ain

ly o

n r

olli

ng t

opogra

phy w

ith f

rost h

ollo

ws a

nd

mars

hes,

on s

edim

enta

ry s

ubstr

ate

s.

pulchella, Eucalyptus rodwayi, Eucalyptus rubida, Eucalyptus viminalis, Exocarpos cupressiformis,

Notelaea ligustrina, Olearia argophylla, Pomaderris apetala, Pomaderris elliptica

T41

Dry

and w

et scle

rophyll

fore

st

and g

rassy w

oodla

nds o

f th

e lo

wer

mid

lands. T

his

assem

bla

ge c

onta

ins m

any o

f th

e s

am

e

com

munitie

s found in 3

9,

but als

o h

as s

om

e h

eath

y u

nders

tore

ys

on m

ore

sili

ceous s

ubstr

ate

s,

and the p

resence o

f specie

s s

uch a

s

E. tenuiramis

, E. globulus, Leptospermum scoparium

, Pomaderris

pilifera

. M

uch o

f th

is a

ssem

bla

ge h

as b

een c

leare

d.

Acacia dealbata, Banksia marginata, Beyeria viscosa, Bursaria spinosa, Eucalyptus amygdalina,

Eucalyptus dalrympleana, Eucalyptus delegatensis, Eucalyptus globulus s

ubsp., Eucalyptus ovata,

Eucalyptus pauciflora, Eucalyptus pulchella, Eucalyptus rodwayi, Eucalyptus rubida, Eucalyptus

tenuiramis, Eucalyptus viminalis, Exocarpos cupressiformis, Leptospermum scoparium v

ar.,


pilifera

G17

Hill

y,

pre

dom

inantly d

ole

rite

countr

y d

rain

ing into

Nort

hern

and

South

ern

Mid

land T

ert

iary

basin

s.

NA

WLP

25

Wetland locate

d e

ast of T

yle

r corr

idor,

in n

on-r

esp

onsiv

e

geom

orp

holo

gy,

1-1

0 h

a a

rea,

at

100-8

00 m

ele

vation.

NA

WLP

3

Wetland locate

d e

ast of T

yle

r corr

idor,

in r

esponsiv

e

geom

orp

holo

gy,

0-1

ha a

rea,

at

100-8

00 m

ele

vation.

NA

WLP

30

Wetland locate

d e

ast of T

yle

r corr

idor,

in n

on-r

esp

onsiv

e

geom

orp

holo

gy,

10-1

00 h

a a

rea,

at

>800 m

ele

vation.

NA

Wb11

Sm

all

to m

odera

te a

rea, shallo

w s

outh

ern

mid

land footh

ills a

nd

dra

inage w

ate

rbodie

s,

with s

imple

shore

line d

evelo

pm

ent.

NA

Wb15

Larg

e a

rea,

deep t

o v

ery

deep a

rtific

ial w

ate

rbody,

with s

imple

shore

line d

evelo

pm

ent.

NA

Dv-G

I Low

land Poa.

NA

K34

Kars

t unit is locate

d w

ithin

undiffe

rentiate

d P

erm

o-C

arb

onifero

us

limesto

nes o

f hill

fla

nk topogra

phy. It lie

s w

ithin

a p

recip

itation

regio

n w

hic

h c

overs

the B

ass S

trait isla

nds a

nd the

south

-east,

chara

cte

rised a

s g

enera

lly d

ry w

ith lo

w r

ain

fall

inte

nsity a

nd low

betw

een-y

ear

variabili

ty.

NA

TY

5

Lakes w

ith p

erm

anent or

periodic

natu

ral salin

e w

ate

r phase,

and/o

r occasio

nal dry

salin

e p

hase;

Mid

land low

lands,

east and

nort

h-w

est

of T

unbridge.

NA

35

Appendix 7. Terminology of the Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystem Values (CFEV) project (DPIW, 2008a).

CFEV project: The ‘Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystem Values’ project which has developed a planning and information tool (a database) to support the inclusion of freshwater values within a strategic framework for the management of Tasmania’s freshwater resources.

Biophysical class: Under the CFEV Project, biological and physical variables relating to freshwater dependent ecosystem were used to develop a ‘biophysical classification’ that is applicable at a State-wide level. For riverine ecosystems, the main biophysical classifications are for fish assemblages, geomorphic river types, aquatic plant assemblages, tree assemblages and crayfish assemblages.

Important biophysical class: The biophysical class that is the main driver for the selection and conservation value rating of an ecosystem spatial unit. This is the value of which the ecosystem spatial unit is considered to be most representative.

Naturalness: A measure of the departure from pre-European natural reference condition. This was derived for each ecosystem unit within the audit process as a single score based on a variety of sources of biophysical information. Also referred to as condition.

Representativeness: The conservation value of an ecosystem spatial unit expressed as the relative importance of that example of the particular representative component with a priority on spatial units of high naturalness. An ecosystem can be rated to be of High, Moderate or Low representativeness, where High is the first group of sites selected (highly representative), Moderate is the second (moderately representative) and Low is the remainder of sites selected (least representative).

Special Values: Unique or ‘distinctive’ conservation values other than those captured by the representativeness assessment process. These include values such as threatened flora and fauna species, threatened flora and fauna communities, priority geomorphic and limnological features and important bird sites.

Representative Conservation Value (RCV): The conservation value of an ecosystem spatial unit (e.g. river section) expressed as the relative importance of the important biophysical class with a priority on spatial units of high naturalness.

Integrated Conservation Value (ICV): The conservation value of an ecosystem spatial unit expressed as the relative importance of that unit where Representative Conservation Value has been combined with its Special Value rating.

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