Contribution of floodplain wetland pools to the ecological functioning of the Fitzroy River Estuary

摘要: Coastal wetlands function as links between terrestrial and marine ecosystems throughout the world. They have vibrant diverse flora fauna, are crucial habitats for fish invertebrates, often providing critical nursery grounds major contributors of nutrients to coastal systems. However, our present understanding tropical subtropical estuarine floodplain is limited, particularly in areas. This lack understanding, together with their extensive ecological importance value so many user groups, makes detailed an important research priority. The delta Fitzroy River, Central Queensland, has clustered around its large estuary system. Except during flooding, aquatic environment restricted a number semi-permanent pools varying types sizes, which recognised fish, such barramundi. Unfortunately, way these provide juvenile how interact other animals plants associated (as prey or predators) is unknown. Similarly, there no knowledge influenced by type pool (eg. freshwater influenced), compositions and fates inhabitants degree regularity connection habitats. Thus current project aims extend, broaden refine investigating luence connectivity on faunal dynamics food webs Fitzroy Estuarine Floodplain Wetland Pools. study was conducted drought period, substantial wet season flows project. two consequences: (1) limited wetland pools, little ability generalise results whole wetland, (2) not necessarily representative situation years.