The freshwater macrophytes of - Fisheries Reports
The freshwater macrophytes of - Fisheries Reports
The freshwater macrophytes of - Fisheries Reports
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iv Summary<br />
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY<br />
Occurrence <strong>of</strong> <strong>freshwater</strong> <strong>macrophytes</strong> in the catchments <strong>of</strong> the Parramatta River, Lane<br />
Cove River and Middle Harbour Creek, 2007 – 2008<br />
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: R.J. Williams<br />
ADDRESS: NSW Department <strong>of</strong> Primary Industries<br />
Cronulla <strong>Fisheries</strong> Research Centre <strong>of</strong> Excellence<br />
PO Box 21<br />
Cronulla, NSW, 2230<br />
Telephone: 02 9527 8411 Fax: 02 9527 8576<br />
OBJECTIVES:<br />
(a) Create a methodology by which to assess the extent and type <strong>of</strong> <strong>freshwater</strong> macrophytic<br />
vegetation in the coastal rivers <strong>of</strong> NSW;<br />
(b) Conduct an assessment <strong>of</strong> the macrophytic vegetation <strong>of</strong> the <strong>freshwater</strong> portion <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Parramatta River <strong>of</strong> 2007;<br />
(c) Create ArcView shapefiles and associated data tables to indicate the area <strong>of</strong> cover;<br />
(d) Provide a report to the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority.<br />
NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY:<br />
<strong>The</strong> distribution <strong>of</strong> the <strong>freshwater</strong> <strong>macrophytes</strong> <strong>of</strong> NSW has been little studied, and an acceptable<br />
methodology by which to undertake such a task has not been devised. This project adapted<br />
techniques used to determine the cover <strong>of</strong> estuarine vegetation for the purpose <strong>of</strong> assessing cover <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>freshwater</strong> vegetation. <strong>The</strong> locations <strong>of</strong> interest were the three main tributaries <strong>of</strong> the Parramatta<br />
River: Middle Harbour Creek, the Lane Cove River, and the upstream portion <strong>of</strong> the Parramatta<br />
River. Auxiliary tributaries <strong>of</strong> these main components were also assessed.<br />
Observations were made at 386 sites. Freshwater aquatic vegetation was present at 175 sites and<br />
was categorised as ‘submerged’, ‘emergent’, or ‘floating’, and differentiated as native or exotic<br />
species. <strong>The</strong> underlying substrata was recorded at all sites, as was flow and turbidity. To provide an<br />
indication <strong>of</strong> the extent <strong>of</strong> the complexity <strong>of</strong> the drainage system, as well as indicate the extent <strong>of</strong><br />
fieldwork, inspection sites are shown in a series <strong>of</strong> maps.<br />
Initiation <strong>of</strong> the project was hampered by a lack <strong>of</strong> accuracy in maps; more specifically, many<br />
small tributaries were not shown on the standard digital map <strong>of</strong> streams for the Sydney<br />
metropolitan area. For example, the standard digital map showed 17 tributaries entering Middle<br />
Harbour Creek, but examination <strong>of</strong> other maps and field inspection revealed 47 small creeks<br />
flowing into this major tributary. Similar situations prevailed for the Lane Cove River and to a<br />
smaller extent the Upper Parramatta River. It was therefore necessary to initiate the project by<br />
creating an accurate stream network. This new network will be <strong>of</strong> use in monitoring the distribution<br />
<strong>of</strong> native and introduced species, and in weed eradication projects. While the presence <strong>of</strong> aquatic<br />
weeds was surprisingly low compared to the Hawkesbury River (the only other location in NSW<br />
coastal catchment for which aquatic vegetation has been surveyed), steps should be taken to<br />
contain or eradicate these weeds before their distribution increases.<br />
(Williams and Thiebaud) Freshwater <strong>macrophytes</strong> <strong>of</strong> the Parramatta Catchment