Table : Summary of monitoring needs. Component /Process Purpose Indicator Locations Frequency Priority Hydrology Address knowledge gap and confirm baseline – depth to groundwater table at freshwater wetlands Depth to groundwater Freshwater wetlands Seasonal to establish baseline over several years, then less frequently High, to set baseline Hydrology Assess against LAC Estuary opening / closing Estuary mouth Weekly Medium Vegetation (freshwater) Assess against LAC and establishment of baseline for lake bed vegetation Extent by community type and baseline composition and cover All habitats for community extent. Freshwater Lakes for baseline of lake bed vegetation (Swan, Malseed, Bridgewater and Moniboeng) Establish baseline by quarterly monitoring over two years, then repeat annually every three to five years High Vegetation (saltmarsh) Assess against LAC Extent Glenelg Estuary and Oxbow Lake Every five years Medium Fish Assess against LAC Species and abundance Key locations in freshwater wetlands and Glenelg Estuary Annual Medium Waterbirds (abundance) Address knowledge gap related use of habitats within the site Assess against LAC Species and abundance Key locations in freshwater wetlands, Glenelg Estuary and Discovery Bay beach Bi-annual High Waterbird breeding Address knowledge gap Evidence of breeding (nests, breeding plumage, juveniles) Key locations in freshwater wetlands, Glenelg Estuary and Discovery Bay beach Annual (matched to known breeding timings) Medium Threatened species: Maroon leek-orchid, swamp greenhood Assess against LAC Targeted surveys for abundance Known locations Annual Medium Threatened species: Australasian bittern Assess against LAC Calls Emergent freshwater vegetation Annual Medium Threatened species: Hooded plover, Australian Assess against LAC Would be covered by the program for waterbird abundance (see above)
not occur beyond the river estuaries, making this species 'only marginally catadromous'. Many perish after spawning but some survive another year. Coastal populations have a marine juvenile stage. Spotted galaxias Galaxias truttaceus Am Spawn in freshwater but larvae swept out to sea – only found in coastal systems. Occurs in still or slow-flowing waters at low elevations close to the sea; most abundant along shore margins in rocky areas. Little galaxias Galaxiella toourtkoourt FS Frequently found among vegetation along the edge of still or slow-running waters like swamps, drainage ditches and backwaters of creeks. Adults live in both ephemeral and permanent habitats. A short-lived fish, reaching maturity in the first year of life and perishing shortly after spawning. Fish occupying ephemeral water possibly aestivate or shelter in crayfish burrows when surface water evaporates during summer. Geotriidae Pouched lamprey Geotria australis A Demersal. Typically found in mud burrows in upper reaches of coastal streams for the first four years of life, and then they migrate back to the sea. Adults inhabit the sea for an undetermined period and are parasitic on other fishes. Migrate upstream which may last for 16 months and spawn in freshwater. Adults are often found below weirs and dams during their spawning migration which may take them considerable distances upstream of the coast. Migration mostly takes place in rainy nights when water levels are rising, with temperatures between 12-14.5°C and when there is extensive cloud cover or during the dark phase of the moon. Sometimes they exit the water by wriggling up the bank to bypass obstacles to migration. Adults stop feeding while in freshwater and die shortly after spawning. Gobiidae Blue-spot goby (eastern Australia) Pseudogobius sp. 9 EF It is often found in muddy areas and seagrass beds in the upper reaches of estuaries. It is also known to penetrate upstream into freshwater and may remain there for extended periods of time. Bridled goby Arenigobius bifrenatus EM Found in muddy coastal areas to upper estuaries, rocky reefs, in sea grass beds and mangroves. Glass goby Gobiopterus semivestitus EF Found in quiet coastal estuaries, enters fresh water, usually in small to large schools Nesogobius sp MS Lagoon goby Tasmanogobius lasti EM Found in muddy areas of estuaries and bays.