DARLING RIVERINE PLAINS BIOREGION Background Report

16/08/02 Darling Riverine Plains Bioregion Background Report
6.3 SUMMARY AND PROPOSED FURTHER WORK
6.3.1 Summary
The knowledge of invertebrate biodiversity within the DRP is extremely limited but it is
essential for a variety of reasons. In addition to their own contribution to the biodiversity of
the ecosystem, invertebrate species are fundamental to the survival of many vertebrate species
as a food resource, can be used as indicator species for land health and are an essential
component of ecosystem function. It is also important to recognise that the impact of land
management on invertebrate populations is not necessarily restricted to the DRP for example,
the bogong moths which breed in the floodplains of the DRP are an essential food source for
the threatened mountain pygmy possum (Burramys parvus) when they migrate to the alpine
regions prior to winter and also have important cultural significance to Aboriginal people in
the alpine regions.
Although more information is available about the diversity of aquatic invertebrates than
terrestrial invertebrates in the DRP, this information is still insufficient to classify aquatic
habitats such as wetlands as critical habitats for waterbirds. Like the bogong moth, many of
the aquatic invertebrates can have an impact on vertebrate biodiversity beyond the DRP
bioregion.
The health of fish populations can also affect the conservation of terrestrial vertebrates.
Research into the distribution, abundance and status of fish in New South Wales is primarily
the responsibility of NSW Fisheries, but as the DRP is a fluvial environment the health of the
rivers and the fish fauna is an essential component of the overall conservation of this
bioregion.
6.3.2 Proposed further work
Further work related to the full range of fauna in the DRP includes the following:
continued survey of aquatic invertebrates across the variety of wetlands in order to
determine the significance of each wetland for the maintenance of waterbird populations;
collation of existing information about terrestrial invertebrates and determination of
priorities for further work, especially in relation to terrestrial vertebrate conservation
strategies;
assessment of terrestrial invertebrates critical for the survival of threatened vertebrate
species;
assessment of information relating to the fish fauna and determination of priorities for
further work, especially in relation to terrestrial vertebrate conservation strategies; and
further research into the relationship between invertebrate diversity and abundance and
flood events in the various river catchments within the DRP.
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