Riparian vegetation dominated by introduced grasses and blackberries
Moderately eroded banks due to recent flood and cattle damage
Area map
About the location
Paris Creek is a small stream in the southern Mount Lofty Ranges. It rises east of Meadows and flows in an easterly direction, where it eventually discharges into Middle Creek, and then Angas River. The major land use is cattle grazing with some areas of native vegetation located further upstream. The monitoring site was located on Paris Creek Road, about four kilometres south from Macclesfield.
The creek was given a poor rating because the site sampled showed evidence of major changes in ecosystem structure and moderate changes to the way the ecosystem functions. There was considerable evidence of human disturbance, including nutrient enrichment (eg high concentrations in the water, large algal growths, and anaerobicsediments), bank erosion, fine sediment deposition in the channel and highly degraded riparian zone.
Findings
A moderately diverse community of about 31 species of macroinvertebrates (16 in autumn and 27 in spring) was collected or seen from the non-flowing creek, 2.2-4.9 metres wide and up to 45 centimetres deep, in autumn and spring 2015. The community was dominated by species tolerant to poor water quality such as amphipods (Austrochiltonia australis) and snails (including native Glyptophysa and introduced Physiella and Potamopyrgus). It also included water mites (Diplodontus), freshwater shrimp (Paratya), yabbies (Cherax), several dytiscid beetles (Necterosoma), hydraenid and hydrophilid beetles, chironomids (including Chironomus, Dicrotendipes and Larsia), several waterbugs and leptocerid caddisflies(Triplectides australis). No sensitive, rare or habitat specialist species were recorded from the site.
The water was moderately fresh (2,614-2,882 mg/L salinity range), well oxygenated (73-82% saturation), clear but slightly coloured in autumn, with moderate to high concentrations of nutrients such as nitrogen (0.58-0.72 mg/L) and phosphorus (0.08-0.11 mg/L).
The sediments were dominated by detritus and filamentous algae in autumn and by clay, detritus and filamentous algae in spring; samples taken from below the surface were black and released sulfide when tested, indicating the sediments were anaerobic and enriched with an excessive amount of organic matter. Heavy siltation was evident at the site with up to 10 centimetres of silt covering the creekbed in spring. Over 10 metres of bank showed signs of erosion due to cattle and flood damage.
A large amount of phytoplankton was recorded during both autumn and spring (23-55 µg/L) and filamentous algae (Spirogyra in autumn and Cladophora in spring) covered nearly 10% of the site in both seasons sampled. Over 10% of the channel was covered by aquatic plants, including introduced watercress (Rorippa) and several other emergent species (Typha, Triglochin, Cyperus and Isolepis) and a submerged charophyte. The narrow riparian zone consisted of introduced and weedy blackberries, wild roses and grasses, and a few scattered gum trees. The surrounding vegetation was grazing land with a few scattered gum trees.
Special environmental values
The site lacked any notable features in 2015. Past sampling has recorded the presence of a sensitive leptophlebiid mayfly family from flowing habitats in 2010, and threatened Mountain Galaxias were collected from refuge pools in the upper catchment in 2004 (M. Hammer, Aquasave Consultants, 2009).
Pressures and management responses
Pressures
Management responses
Livestock have direct access to some creeks, causing sediment erosion and adding excessive nutrients (which leads to habitat disturbance, algal growth and aquatic weeds).
Natural Resources SA Murray–Darling Basin acknowledges the significant impacts that livestock have on aquatic environments and seeks to provide free technical advice and incentives to land managers for fencing and other works as funding permits. Funding incentives are limited in value and extent and require land managers to volunteer to be involved.
Limited riparian vegetation at some creeks, providing minimal buffer protection from catchment landuses (reducing habitat quality).
Natural Resources SA Murray–Darling Basin recognises that the management of riparian vegetation requires a long-term, integrated approach to achieve ecosystem benefits. The NRM Board therefore provides free technical advice on a range of topics for land managers and various incentives for works as funding permits.
Insufficient natural water flows resulting from water extraction and climate variability (reducing ecological integrity).
A water allocation plan that guides sustainable water use in the Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges has been developed by Natural Resources SA Murray–Darling Basin, working with the community and government (particularly the Department for Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR)). The plan aims to balance social, economic and environmental water needs and is implemented through a system of water licensing and permits for water affecting activities administered by DEWNR.
A key component of the water allocation plan is to provide water to sustain the environment at an acceptable level of risk. Securing low flows for the environment is a key environmental water provision in this area, and Natural Resources SA Murray–Darling Basin is working together with DEWNR, Natural Resources Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges and the community to develop a program to secure low flows across the Mount Lofty Ranges. For more information on water allocation planning and associated projects go to our Water Allocation Planning web page.
In addition, this site is located in an area where the total demand for water is higher than the sustainable limits set out in the water allocation plan. Natural Resources SA Murray–Darling Basin is monitoring the situation and will work with the community to develop solutions for managing high water demand where required.
Widespread introduced trees and weeds in riparian zones (reducing habitat quality).
Natural Resources SA Murray–Darling Basin recognises the limitations of available funds relative to the scale of the degradation caused by introduced trees and weeds. It provides free technical advice and community education to assist land managers in dealing with the integrated management of aquatic weeds. The NRM Board also has a targeted process, as directed by state government, to strictly prioritise its investment in weed control activities as funds are limited. It actively seeks funding opportunities for weed control; most opportunities are for locations where biodiversity outcomes can be achieved.
Observed Condition
Expected Condition
