PROTECTING STREAM HEALTH A MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

摘要

In 2001, Pine River Shire Council commissioned a study to assess and manage the ecological health of freshwater streams throughout the shire using aquatic macroinvertebrates as environmental indicators. The study consisted of four steps: (1) identify aquatic resources of ecological significance by assessing the state of stream health, (2) identify risks and pressures affecting stream health, (3) identify management responses to reduce risks and pressures, and (4) specify a vision for the future state of stream health. The results of all steps were entered into the shire's geographic information system and translated into 'stream health management maps'. Habitat loss and eutrophication were found to be the principal types of impact on current stream conditions and six different management tools were identified to maintain and improve stream health. The strategy gives stream protection the highest management priority - compared to repair measures that often are more expensive and take longer to show any effect. A follow-up monitoring round in five years time will gauge the achieved outcomes against the vision. Stream health assessment proved to be an excellent tool for the planning scheme of local governments.