A Framework for Identifying High Conservation Value Aquatic

Ecosystems

Chris Schweizer

© Andrew Tatnell

Overview

Paragraph 25 x of the National Water Initiative:

parties have agreed their water access entitlements and planning frameworks will ‘identify and acknowledge surface and groundwater systems of high conservation value and manage these systems to protect and enhance those values’.

Aquatic Ecosystems Task Group

Established under NRM Ministerial CouncilMembers from all jurisdictionsProvide a nationally coordinated approach to policy development for relevant cross-jurisdictional issues within the aquatic ecosystems context. Oversee development of a national policy framework for identification, classification and management of HCVAE

Principles and Purposes

Complement and build on existing jurisdictional initiatives.Nationally consistent approach to the identification, classification and management of HCVAEEnable identification of assets of local, regional and national importance, but differentiateGuide planning, investment and management decisionsImprove cross-jurisdictional coordination

Draft criteria for HCVAE

Representativeness

Diversity

Distinctiveness

Strategic habitat

Evolutionary history

Naturalness

International recognition (eg Ramsar)

RegionalisationAWRC Drainage Divisions

Classification

Developing classification system – Proposed hierarchical system based on nine high level

classes• marine, estuarine, coastal, riverine, palustrine, lacustrine,

nivean, subterranean and artificial water bodies

– Supported by several sub-classes that can be translated through to current jurisdictional systems

– Next step to undertake worked examples

Testing the Framework

AETG has trialled criteria in several areas– River reaches (Vic)

– Estuaries (NSW)

– Moundsprings (WA)

– Northern MDB• In partnership with Northern Murray-Darling Basin Program

to identify important ecological assets and refugia within northern Murray-Darling Basin

• Consistent approach to identification of HCVAE for MDB Plan and Australian Government investments

Murray-Darling Basin Plan

Water Act 2007 requires development of Basin Plan to provide for the integrated management of Basin water resources

Plan must Promote wise use of all the Basin water resources– Promote the conservation of Ramsar wetlands in MDB– Take account of ecological character descriptions

(ECD) of Ramsar wetlands and all other key environmental sites within the MDB [s.21(3) (a) – (c) refers]

Ecological Character Descriptions (ECDs) – Key elements

Description of components, processes & services/benefits

Conceptual models

Limits of acceptable change

Threats

Knowledge gaps

Changes in ecological character

Caring for Our Country

Aligned to HCVAE process to assist jurisdictions in management beyond water management

Coastal Environments and Critical Aquatic Habitats targets– Sustain environmental values of Ramsar sites and (non-

Ramsar) priority coastal and inland HCVAE including, as a priority, sites in the MDB

– Potential for large-scale project to maintain aquatic habitats in the northern MDB

Questions ?