State of the Environment

2006

Indicator: IW-40 Benthic metabolism case studies

Data

Results of Benthic Metabolism from the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program across southeast Queensland, Autumn 2003

Results of Benthic Metabolism from the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program across southeast Queensland, Autumn 2003

Source: Dr Christy Fellows 2003, Unpublished, Benthic Metabolism from the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program across southeast Queensland, Autumn 2003, Australian School of Environmental Studies, Griffith University.

What the data mean

As part of the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program (EHMP) of the Moreton Bay Waterways and Catchments Partnership, streams in South East Queensland have been classified into a range of stream types based on physical features (Lowland, Upland, North and South Coastal). Ecosystem health guidelines have been derived for each stream type, for example, upland streams should fall below 0.25 and 0.15 g C per metre per day for gross primary production (GPP) and community respiration (CR) respectively.

Benthic metabolism results for the 2003 autumn sampling round of the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program for southeast Queensland show that of the 108 sites tested, 33% of streams had high values for either GPP or CR (or both) and failed to meet ecosystem health guideline limits.

Data Limitations

The application of benthic metabolism as a measure of stream health and the consequent management responses to high values requires an understanding of the major environmental factors that influence these indicators. GPP and CR integrate stream ecosystem processes that are being influenced by a combination of environmental variables and should not be considered as spot measures.

Issues for which this is an indicator and why

Inland Waters — Response of biota - Stream metabolism 

Benthic metabolism refers to the rates of gross primary production (GPP) and community respiration (CR) occurring at, and just below, the sediment-water interface in streams. Measurement of these rates indicates the vigour of the basic carbon cycling processes in aquatic ecosystems - the fundamental base of the aquatic food web, and is therefore an important indicator for the stream metabolism as a whole.

Further Information

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