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 November 2005
| Habitat |
Ecological health
|
| Edge |
Moderate
|
| Riffle |
Habitat not present
|
Willochra Creek is a naturally saline stream. This site is usually
rated moderate as it contains only those animals that are able
to tolerate very high salinity levels. A riffle habitat has not
been present at this site during spring since sampling began in
2003.
Ecological health assessment for May 2005
| Habitat |
Ecological health
|
| Edge |
Moderate
|
| Riffle |
Habitat not present
|
Willochra Creek is a naturally saline stream. This site is rated
moderate as it contains only those animals that are able to tolerate
very high salinity levels.
The indicators that are measured in the Willochra Creek 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
|
|
|
IS
|
|
|
IS
|
|
|
IS
|
|
|
IS
|
|
|
IS
|
Notes IS = insufficient data available
for this period to allow classification
There was only one sample collected during this monitoring period
due to dry conditions. Previous results have indicated that the
amount of nutrients and turbidity can be elevated by animal wastes
being washed into the river during storms. Livestock and native
animals accessing the waterhole can also contribute nutrients
to the creek. This site is sampled every three months because
of its remote location.
A catchment study has been completed for the Willochra catchment
(Department
of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation). The Northern
and Yorke NRM Board are supporting landholders to restrict
stock access to the creek and encouraging revegetation with local
native species.
Water chemistry classification for April to September 2005
|
Indicator
|
Classification
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Poor
|
|
|
Good
|
|
|
Moderate
|
|
|
Good
|
The amount of total nitrogen and phosphorous can be elevated
as a result of animal wastes being washed off farms during storms.
The poor total nitrogen results for the recent samples are consistent
with previous results. This site is sampled every three months
because of its remote location.
