Benthic macroinvertebrate survey 2016-2017: Coorong and Murray Mouth Icon Site

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Abstract

This report presents the findings from monitoring of macroinvertebrates and mudflats in the Murray Mouth and Coorong in the 12th year since the first surveys were carried out in 2004. This monitoring followed sampling and analytical procedures from previous years and as described in The Living Murray (TLM) LLCMM Icon Site Condition Monitoring Plan (Maunsell 2009) and the refinement of this plan (Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources 2017). The annual surveys are carried out in late spring/early summer before the arrival of migratory shorebirds. In 2016/17, the spring survey (November 2016) was undertaken prior to a flood peak with an accompanying blackwater event passing through the Murray-Darling river system. Water levels were already very high with no mudflats exposed. An additional survey in autumn (April 2017) was carried out to evaluate whether continuous flows have led to a recolonization of invertebrates in the southern reaches of the Coorong and assess the effects of the recent flood and blackwater event that passed through the system in spring/early summer. Water levels had dropped over summer and the extent of mudflats at the study sites was similar to earlier monitoring years. The following findings were made in relation to the monitoring targets...
Original languageEnglish
PublisherFlinders University
Commissioning bodyAustralian Government, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water
Number of pages62
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Keywords

  • Environmental monitoring
  • Murray River Mouth
  • Coorong
  • Macroinvertebrates

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