Issue: Response of biota - Waterbirds
This is an issue under the Inland waters theme of the Data Reporting System.
Why we need to know about this issue
Waterbirds play a range of vital roles ecosystems. Different functional waterbird groups also provide some indication of potential changes to other aquatic biodiversity, the aquatic food web and nutrient cycles. They also provide an opportunity to indirectly explore potential effects of river management and degradation on entire ecosystems.
Different waterbird species feed on a wide range of aquatic fauna and flora that form part of the food web of an aquatic system. There are the ducks (e.g. blue-billed duck Oxyura australis, grey teal i;Anas gracilisi;) that feed predominantly on small invertebrates, herbivores (e.g. black swans Cygnus atratus, Eurasian coot Fulica atra), piscivores (fish feeders, e.g. Australian pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus and cormorants Phalacrocorax sp.), small wading birds (Charadriformes) and large wading birds (Ciconiiformes).
The distribution and abundance of waterbirds is closely connected to the occurrence of floods and wetland inundation during wet years. Severe reductions in wetland extent in Australia have reduced the available habitat as well as the numbers and breeding success of native waterbirds.
Indicators
- IW-27 Extent of significant wetlands (incl. Ramsar)
Waterbirds as wetland animals are vulnerable to changes in the extent and condition of wetlands and extent of wetlands may therefore be a surrogate indicator for the condition of waterbird populations. - IW-33 Abundance and distribution of waterbirds
Waterbirds are important culturally, socially, scientifically and as a food resource. Different functional waterbird groups provide some indication of potential changes to other aquatic biodiversity, the aquatic food web and nutrient cycles. They also provide an opportunity to indirectly explore potential effects of river management and degradation on entire ecosystems. Different waterbird species feed on a wide range of aquatic fauna and flora that form part of the food web of an aquatic system. There are the ducks (e.g. blue-billed duck Oxyura australis, grey teal Anas gracilis) that feed predominantly on small invertebrates, herbivores (e.g. black swans Cygnus atratus, Eurasian coot Fulica atra), piscivores (fish feeders, e.g. Australian pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus and cormorants Phalacrocorax sp.), small wading birds (Charadriformes) and large wading birds (Ciconiiformes). The abundance and distribution of species is indicative of the condition of individual species, and of water bird species collectively. - IW-48 Ramsar wetlands with implemented management plans
Ramsar wetlands are very important sites for many waterbird species. Effective management responses under Ramsar should result in a reduction of pressures currently impacting on wetlands and the waterbirds that inhabit them.
Related issues
- Inland Waters - Habitat scale influences- Riparian vegetation
- Inland Waters - Habitat scale influences- Wetlands
- Inland Waters - Human response - policy and management- Habitat management (including wetland management)
- Biodiversity - Species, habitats and ecological communities- Condition of freshwater biodiversity
- Biodiversity - Species, habitats and ecological communities- Condition of wetlands and riparian vegetation
- Inland Waters - Response of biota- Wetland and floodplain communities
Key
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