2007 Wetland Inventory for the Eyre Peninsula

22.2 Aquatic floraThis records the abundance and diversity of aquatic vegetation. Low (1) indicates no or very little aquaticvegetation, moderate (3) indicates some aquatic vegetation cover either in the form of floating or rootedvegetation, high (5) indicates good diversity of aquatic vegetation with a range of rooted vegetation such asreeds and rushes and floating vegetation such as water ribbons.Eleven sites received a low score, 16 sites a moderate score and no sites received high scores.23.0 RIPARIAN VEGETATION RAPID ASSESSMENTRiparian native vegetation is assessed in three zones. These are the toe of bank (low water – high water),bank (high water mark – buffer) and buffer (top of the bank to the buffer which can extend between 10metres and 100 metres). The vegetation association for each zone consists of the dominant or co-dominantover storey species and understorey species. The vegetation association for each zone is scoredconsidering the level of disturbance and vegetation cover within each zone.The vegetation association scoring system consists of: Degraded or no vegetation (1) with less than 30% vegetation cover, with high level of disturbance, Natural (3) between 30 – 75% vegetation cover, with little disturbance Intact (5) over 75% vegetation cover with little or no disturbance.Table 3. Riparian vegetation Rapid Assessment.Degraded Natural IntactToe of bank 10 10 7Bank 11 8 8Buffer 13 11 524.0 WETLAND CONDITION SCOREThe wetland score reflects the previous rapid assessment scores for aquatic fauna, aquatic vegetation andriparian vegetation values. The combination of these values and the interpretation of others parametersrecorded during the survey (such as land degradation and water chemistry) form the basis of the wetlandcondition score.The wetland score consists of: Degraded (1) those sites that have a high level of disturbance and received low rapid assessmentscores. Natural (3) those sites that have little disturbance, received moderate to high rapid assessmentscores and that are sites usually protected within the reserve system or by privateconservation. Pristine (5) those sites with no obvious sign of disturbance, scored very highly in the rapid assessmentand are formally conserved within the State reserve system.Wetland condition scores are very subjective. Although 17 sites received a natural score, significantdisturbances are present at most sites. Nine sites scored as degraded and no sites received apristine score.42