Wetland monitoring in the Wheatbelt of south-west Western Australia: site descriptions, waterbird, aquatic invertebrate and groundwater data

摘要: The Wheatbelt of south-west Western Australia contains a range wetland types with varying salinity, including many naturally saline lakes and playas. increase in salinity most wetlands during the last 50 years as result land-clearing is major threat to biodiversity. As part State Salinity Strategy, monitoring program began 1997 at 25 from locations throughout wheatbelt. aim was document trends biodiversity relate these physical conditons patterns surrounding landuse. This report summarizes existing information on provides, baseline conditions, results initial waterbird, aquatic invertebrate groundwater monitoring. It documents methods used highlights need for long-term program. There strong negative relationship between species richness salinity. A also existed waterbird richness, although other factors determined numbers being constraint maximum potential rather than determinant actual number species. Further salinization likely change detrimentally both communities. Such changes are apparent historical data some wetlands.