2007 Wetland Inventory for the Eyre Peninsula

Research is required towards developing these indicators. Yen and Butcher (1997) suggest research in thefollowing areas: The link between invertebrate biodiversity and ecosystem functioning The value of using guilds or functional groups to monitor ecosystem processes Identifying keystone taxa The existence of redundant species.The interaction between invertebrate composition and water chemistry also requires much research.Without an understanding of the dynamics between these two parameters, interpretation of ecologicalchange will be hindered.An example of how the invertebrate monitoring program can be applied to detect change in ecologicalcharacter is to study the trophic dynamics or functional groups. The presence of both invertebrate grazersand predators indicates functional invertebrate dynamics. The loss of either group quickly indicates changein the ecological character of the wetland.The development of keystone indicator species requires further research especially within saline lakesystems. However, as a starting point there are several families that can be used in starting to developthese indicators. Representative grazers and predators are important to include as indicators due to theirimportance in the trophic chain.Keystone species to monitor include:Grazers: zooplankton, including cladocera, copepods, Calanoida and Cyclopoida.Predators: dragonfly larvae (Odonata) and families Dytiscidae, Coleoptera.30.3 Other considerationsMonitoring also is required for many other parameters. Programs need to include whole of catchmentparameters that cause change in the ecological character of wetlands. Monitoring of threats to wetlandsuch as land clearance, drainage, land ownership changes and land use changes all need to bedocumented and included in the monitoring program. Ideally an action plan to alleviate and manage threatsshould be developed for nominated wetlands in conjunction with a monitoring program.31.0 RECOMMENDED WETLANDS TO MONITORThose wetlands that received a high to moderate wetland score (refer to Section Two – WetlandAssessment) are used as the first criteria for inclusion. The second criteria is the management authority.Those wetlands that are under public ownership are targeted as preferential sites to monitor unlesssignificant wetland values are identified on private lands. The reasoning behind this is that wetlands withinthe community land classification or under State government ownership may be easier to access andmanage a monitoring program. At this early stage of developing a monitoring program these sites will assistin refining techniques and develop monitoring protocols.Once monitoring techniques have been developed and tested, the opportunity to expand monitoring toother wetlands with high value on private property is feasible. Other protection measures can be developedfor wetlands on private property before monitoring occurs. Actions such as buffering wetlands withrevegetation, fencing, removing rubbish and the development of wise use of wetland programs forlandowners are currently required to manage wetland threats. The recording of baseline data before suchactions is necessary to assist in the development of an on-going monitoring program in the future.54