We collect two samples of macroinvertebrates, one from riffle
(or flowing water) habitat and one from edge (still water) habitat.
The diversity of the macroinvertebrate community is used to describe
ecological health as being in good,
moderate or poor
condition.
Ecological health assessment for December 2005
| Habitat |
Ecological health
|
| Edge |
Good
|
| Riffle |
Good
|
These ratings are consistent with previous results.
Ecological health assessment for May 2005
| Habitat |
Ecological health
|
| Edge |
Good
|
| Riffle |
Habitat not present
|
The indicators measured in the South Para River are nutrients
(nitrogen and phosphorus), turbidity and salinity.
The concentrations of these indicators are used to classify the
water chemistry as being in good,
moderate or poor
condition, according to the needs of aquatic ecosystem protection.
Water chemistry classification for October 2005 to March 2006
|
Indicator
|
Classification
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Poor
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Good
|
The amount of total nitrogen can be increased by fertilisers
or animal wastes being washed off farms during storms. These classifications
are consistent with previous results. The nutrients and turbidity
levels tend to vary according to creek flows, with high concentrations
most often recorder in winter months. The Adelaide
and Mt Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board has
embarked on delivering a regional NRM Plan, which is related to
its responsibility to manage the water quality within the South
Para River and it will build on the catchment water management
plans prepared previously.
Water chemistry classification for April to September 2005
|
Indicator
|
Classification
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Moderate
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Good
|
The amount of total nitrogen can be increased by fertilisers
or animal wastes being washed off farms during storms or due to
effluent outfalls. The elevated total nitrogen results for the
recent samples are consistent with previous results.
