Integrating biodiversity into regional planning - the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority pilot project

PDF files

• The Wimmera Catchment Management Authority pilot project report (excluding Appendices 5 and 6) (PDF - 1,111 KB)
• Appendix 5 - Bird species lists and reporting rates for Ecological Vegetation Class Groups of the WCMA Management Area (PDF - 78 KB)
• Appendix 6 - Atlas record forms - not available online

About the report

This report commences by describing the Commonwealth Government's plans for regional delivery (including for biodiversity planning), and the way in which the specific objectives of this study fulfils some of the Commonwealth's requirements. This is followed by an overview of the value of birds as indicators of the health of ecosystems, and a description of the first and second Birds Australia National Bird Atlas Surveys. A description of the survey methods and procedure for collecting habitat and management data involved in completing data sheets for the two atlases is also provided.

As part of this report, an analysis of the changes in bird distribution and abundances over the last 20 years within the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority's Management Area (WCMA boundary) has been undertaken. The analysis is used as a basis for:

1. identifying which species have changed reporting rate and therefore, what ecosystem processes and land management practices are operating;
2. identifying species that can potentially be targeted as indicators of environmental change within the WCMA boundary; and
3. general guidelines for a monitoring program which track indicator species to assess changes in ecosystem condition.