Summary of watering actions with expected outcomes for the year relevant to the Basin Matter In 2014–15, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office (CEWO) contributed to 83 watering actions, with a total of 1041 GL delivered across the Basin. A total of 65 watering actions specifically targeted riverine and wetland vegetation (Appendix A). Of these, 15 watering actions had expected outcomes associated with vegetation within and/or immediately fringing river channels, including its maintenance and/or improvement as well as, in several cases, to prevent encroachment by terrestrial plants. A further 20 watering actions focused mainly on improving the condition or recruitment of particular species, mostly riparian trees (e.g. River Red Gum, Black Box) and Lignum. The remaining watering actions had expected outcomes relating to vegetation diversity in floodplain and wetland ecosystems. Seventeen of the watering actions conducted by CEWO in 2014–15 for which expected outcomes were identified for vegetation, occurred in the Selected Areas being considered by the Basin Matter evaluation for vegetation (i.e. Edward–Wakool, Goulburn, Gwydir, Lachlan, Murrumbidgee and Warrego–Darling; Table 1). Monitoring of vegetation diversity responses occurred with respect to eight of these watering actions (Table 1). Expected outcomes for these watering actions were mostly to maintain or promote the extent and diversity of wetland plant communities (Table 1).
Table 1. Summary of watering actions and expected outcomes related to vegetation at Selected Areas in 2014–15. Selected Area (Watering Action Reference)1 Water delivery dates (start– end)1 Flow component type1 Commonwealth environmental water volume delivered (GL)1 Expected ecological outcome 1 Monitored site(s)2 Expected outcome2 Observed ecological outcomes2 Influences 2 (10008-01) Base flow 34.563 In-stream aquatic vegetation condition, germination, recruitment and dispersal Sites in Yalkool River and Wakool River, zones 3 and 4 Maintain health of riparian, floodplain and wetland native vegetation communities Higher % cover of aquatic and riverbank vegetation on inundated edge in 2 out of 3 zones receiving Commonwealth environmental water More aquatic and riverbank taxa in all 3 zones receiving Commonwealth environmental water than in 1 zone that did not % cover of aquatic and riverbank vegetation correlated with wetted benthic area Goulburn (10002-01) Fresh 67.460 Improve condition and cover of native in-channel vegetation; discourage terrestrial vegetation encroachment Riverbank transects at Loch Garry, McCoys Bridge Provide opportunities for germination and growth of inundation-adapted native species Several hydrophytic native species only appeared on banks subject to spring freshes Distribution of some native species, e.g. Poa labillardierei, confined to areas not subject to inundation Hotter and drier conditions than average may have limited observed responses Vegetation cover on banks subject to freshes declined in relation to duration and frequency of inundation, i.e. lower elevations Fresh 14.472 Improve condition and cover of native in-channel vegetation Not stated 11/11/14 30/11/14 09/01/15
Fresh 13.321 Improve condition and cover of native in-channel vegetation Not monitored Fresh 65.444 Improve condition and cover of native in-channel vegetation; discourage terrestrial vegetation encroachment Not monitored Gwydir (10016-01) Base flow; fresh; wetland Inundation 30.000 Maintain vegetation condition and reproduction Sites along Gwydir and Gingham watercourses Maintain extent and improve condition of wetland vegetation communities Decline in % bare ground in sites receiving Commonwealth environmental water Greater cover of hydrophytic natives (e.g. water couch, flat spike rush) in inundated plots Reduced cover of the exotic lippia in inundated plots Lower overall species richness in inundated plots except for single inundated plot in coolibah woodland Antecedent vegetation influenced by wildfires in March 2014 Seasonal conditions also found to influence vegetation diversity 12/04/15 30/06/15 07/03/15
Gwydir (10016-02) Wetland inundation 9.667 Support further recovery of vegetation extent and condition Not monitored Lachlan (10013-01) Fresh 5.000 Support vegetation condition and reproduction Not monitored Murrumbidgee (10023-01) Wetland inundation; floodplain inundation 40.000 Protect, maintain and improve condition and extent of floodplain, riparian and wetland native vegetation Not monitored Murrumbidgee (10023-02) Wetland inundation; floodplain inundation 74.512 Protect, maintain and improve condition and extent of floodplain, riparian and wetland native vegetation Yanga National Park — Mercedes Swamp, Two Bridges Swamp, Waugorah Lagoon and Piggery Lake – Avalon Swamp, Nap Nap Swamp, Eulimbah Swamp, Telephone Creek Promote germination, growth and flowering of aquatic and semi-aquatic vegetation Contribute to the re-establishment and maintenance of diverse native aquatic and vegetation communities Promoted germination, growth and flowering of aquatic and vegetation Promoted growth in spike rush Promoted establishment of aquatic and species Maintained the presence of the culturally significant Centipeda cunninghamii Rapid response in spike rush from perennial rhizomes in good condition The rate of change in vegetation responses between surveys was influenced by water depth (increases in the cover of aquatic vegetation was slower at larger, deeper sites) dependent 20/01/15 10/04/15
Provide habitat to support breeding and recruitment of wetland species, including frogs, small-bodied fish, waterbirds Murrumbidgee (10023-03) Wetland inundation; floodplain inundation 20.000 Protect, maintain and improve condition and extent of floodplain, riparian and wetland native vegetation Not monitored Murrumbidgee (10023-04) Wetland inundation 1.150 Protect and maintain wetland and riparian native vegetation Yarradda Lagoon Promote germination, growth and flowering of aquatic and semi-aquatic vegetation Contribute to the reestablishment and maintenance of diverse native aquatic and vegetation communities Promoted germination, growth and flowering of aquatic and vegetation Promoted emergence and growth of Persicaria decipiens, Pseudoraphis spinescens, Eleocharis acuta Seeds or fragments of Pseudoraphis spinescens may have originated in irrigation canals Murrumbidgee (10023-05) Wetland inundation 0.250 Protect and maintain wetland Not monitored 22/01/15 01/04/15
and riparian native vegetation Murrumbidgee (10023-06a) Wetland inundation 5.688 Inundate river red gum floodplain and riparian native vegetation Not monitored Murrumbidgee (10005-02) Base flow; fresh; wetland inundation 2.462 Protect, maintain and improve condition and extent of floodplain, riparian and wetland native vegetation Not monitored Murrumbidgee (10023-06b) Wetland inundation 8.498 Inundate fringing aquatic vegetation communities Not monitored Warrego– Darling 02/15– 03/15 Floodplain inundation* None stated Sites on western floodplain Maintain wetland vegetation and waterbird habitat (Warrego Western Floodplain) Increases in species richness, particularly terrestrial damp type species, over time in sites inundated by Commonwealth environmental water prior to first survey but not in those that were not stressed 27/06/15
Table 2. Vegetation diversity monitoring data collected from Selected Areas in 2014–15. Selected Area Sampling design Vegetation diversity metrics Survey times No. of sites No. of quadrats/ transects per site Quadrat/transect description Sampling unit description % Cover by species % Canopy cover (>5 m tall) % Understorey cover (1–5 m tall) % Groundcover (<1 m tall) % Litter cover % Wood cover % Bare ground Monthly between Oct 2014 and Jun 2015 16 (across 4 zones) 1 Transects perpendicular to channel, sampling from 5 permanent markers along 25 m transects parallel to water, points every 50 cm along % cover values calculated for each elevation on each transect (point-intercept method) ✓ (Note: taxa only) Goulburn Sep–Oct 2014, Dec 2014 2 10 Transects perpendicular to channel, sampling every 1 m along 2 m lengths, points every 10 cm % cover values calculated for each elevation on each transect (point-intercept method) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Gwydir Nov 2014, Mar 2015 12 (across 2 zones) 1–4 0.04 ha plots Entire 0.04 ha plot ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Lachlan Nov/Dec 2014, May 2015 10 2–4 100 m transects 1 m2 quadrats every 10 m along transect ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 12 2–4 0.1 ha plots (trees) with nested 0.04 ha plots (understorey) % cover values for 0.04 ha plot (Note: canopy cover recorded for 0.1 ha plot) ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Sept 2014, Nov 2014, Jan 2015, Mar–May 2015 12 3–5 Transects, 90 – 250 m long depending on wetland bathymetry and area 3 – 5 1 × 10 m2 quadrats along transect ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Warrego Feb 2015, May 2015 8 3 0.04 ha plots Entire 0.04 ha plot ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Wakool
Selected Area Survey 3 Survey 4 Dry Wet Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry Dry Murrumbidgee (Surveys 1–4: 33 transects across 12 sample points) 6 transects (across 2 sample points) 7 transects (across 3 sample points) 1 transect (across 1 sample point) 9 transects (across 5 sample points) 4 transects (across 2 sample points) 6 transects (across 4 sample points) 6 transects (across 2 sample points) 7 transects (across 3 sample points) 1 transect (across 1 sample point) 3 transects (across 2 sample points) 6 transects (across 3 sample points) 4 transects (across 2 sample points) 3 transects (across 2 sample points) 3 transects (across 3 sample points)
Table 5. Plant species with distributions affected by wetting in the Gwydir Selected Area in 2014–15. Species restricted to Wet plots in November 2014 Species restricted to Dry–Wet plots in March 20151 Species present in March 2015 only in plots with some wetting (i.e. Dry–Wet) Species limited to Dry plots in March 2015 (i.e. Wet–Dry, Dry–Dry) Ludwigia octovalvis Ammannia multiflora Cycnogeton dubium Cyperus bifax Glyceria spp. Soliva anthemifolia* Lemna disperma Myriophyllum crispatum Nymphoides crenata Persicaria lapathifolia Chenopodiaceae Crinum flaccidum Cyperus concinnus Dysphania ambrosioides* Echinochloa inundata Eriochloa pseudoacrotricha Helichrysum luteoalbum Landoltia punctata Oxalis spp. Physalis minima* Senecio spp. Carex appressa Paspalum dilatatum* Azolla filiculoides Marsilea drummondii Duma florulenta Acacia stenophylla Amyema quandang var. quandang Ottelia ovalifolia subsp. ovalifolia1 Persicaria hydropiper1 Spirodela polyrhiza1 Panicum decompositum Juncus spp. Eichhornia crassipes1* Rumex crispus1* Marsilea spp. Azolla filiculoides Myriophyllum crispatum Typha domingensis Juncus usitatus Lemna disperma Persicaria orientalis Nymphoides crenata Sesbania cannabina var. cannabina Carex appressa Cycnogeton dubium Lachnagrostis filiformis Rorippa palustris* Lobelia concolor Oxalis thompsoniae Paspalum dilatatum* Conyza bonariensis* Solanum nigrum* Malva parviflora* Cullen tenax Xanthium spinosum* Sonchus oleraceus* Medicago polymorpha* Portulaca oleracea Cynodon dactylon 1 Indicates species not present in November 2014 Note: asterisks (*) indicate exotic species. Wet,
(Basin Plan S. 8.05) inundation but dependent on Selected Area. Mortality, reduced establishment and spread of xeric taxa Exotic taxa mostly constrained by Commonwealth environmental water inundation but a few cases where exotic cover promoted by short-duration inundation. Ecosystem diversity Vegetation Greater vegetation diversity Increased richness and productivity of wetland vegetation communities Mostly, but not consistently, increased diversity and cover of vegetation communities. Highly dependent on timing of survey and community type (e.g. wetland versus floodplain). Shifts in composition of floodplain and wetland vegetation communities Consistently shifted vegetation composition towards dominance by range of hydrophilic species (often emergent grasses and sedges) and reduced cover of exotic forbs. Increased heterogeneity of vegetation communities at landscape scales Consistently increased heterogeneity of vegetation at landscape scales. Resilience (Basin Plan S. 8.07) Ecosystem resilience Vegetation Greater plant species resilience to drought Enhanced resilience to drought among plant taxa benefitting from Commonwealth environmental water Species with presence/extent/abundance positively influenced by Commonwealth environmental water will have greater resilience to drought over next 1–5 years and should exhibit greater responses to further wetting. Greater vegetation resilience to drought Enhanced resilience to drought among vegetation assemblages from Commonwealth environmental water Vegetation communities influenced by Commonwealth environmental water will have greater resilience to drought over next 1–5 years and should exhibit greater responses to further wetting. References Brock MA, Capon SJ, Porter JL (2006) Disturbance of plant communities dependent on desert rivers. In: Kingsford RT (ed) Ecology of desert rivers. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 100–132.
Daucus glochidiatus Apiaceae (Labill.) Fisch., C.A.Mey. & + + 4 Daucus spp. Apiaceae L. + 1 Dichanthium sericeum Poaceae (R.Br.) A.Camus + 1 Digitaria ammophila Poaceae (Benth.) Hughes + 1 Digitaria spp. Poaceae Haller + 1 Dissocarpus paradoxus Chenopodiaceae (R.Br.) Ulbr. + 1 Dodonaea visosa subsp. angustissima Sapindaceae (DC.) J.G.West + 2 Duma florulenta Polygonaceae (Meisn.) + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 204 Dysphania ambrosioides* Chenopodiaceae (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants + + 2 Dysphania melanocarpa Chenopodiaceae Mosyakin & Clemants + + 21 Dysphania pumilio Chenopodiaceae (R.Br.) Mosyakin & Clemants + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 115 Echinochloa colona Poaceae (L.) Link + + + + + + + + + + 41
Lysiana spp. Loranthaceae Tiegh. + 2 Lysimachia spp.* Primulaceae L. + 1 Lythrum hyssopifolia Lythraceae L. + + + + + + + + + 33 Maireana appressa Chenopodiaceae (Benth.) Paul G. Wilson + 1 Maireana brevifolia Chenopodiaceae (R.Br.) Paul G. Wilson + + 4 Maireana decalvans Chenopodiaceae (Gand.) Paul G. Wilson + + 4 Maireana spp. Chenopodiaceae Moq. + + + 39 Malva parviflora Malvaceae L. + + + + + + + + 28 Malva preissiana Malvaceae Miq. + 17 Malva spp. Malvaceae L. + 1 Malvastrum americanum* Malvaceae (L.) Torr. + + + 12 Marrubium vulgare* Lamiaceae L. + + + + + + + + + + + + + 35 Marsilea costulifera Marsileaceae D.L.Jones + + + + 9 Marsilea drummondii Marsileaceae A.Braun + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 144 Marsilea hirsuta Marsileaceae R.Br. + + + + + 9 Marsilea spp. Marsileaceae L. + + + + + 33 Medicago lupulina* Fabaceae L. + 3 Medicago minima* Fabaceae (L.) L. ex Bartal. + 3
Medicago polymorpha* Fabaceae L. + + + + + + + + + 214 Medicago praecox* Fabaceae DC. + 21 Medicago spp.* Fabaceae L. + + 4 Medicago truncatula* Fabaceae Gaertn. + 1 Melilotus spp.* Fabaceae Mill. + 1 Mentha australis Lamiaceae R.Br. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 80 Mentha spp. Lamiaceae L. + 1 Mimulus gracilis Phrymaceae R.Br. + + + + + + 9 Modiola caroliniana* Malvaceae (L.) G.Don + 2 Myoporum acuminatum Scrophulariaceae R.Br. + 2 Myoporum montanum Scrophulariaceae R.Br. + 1 Myosurus australis Ranunculaceae F.Muell. + + + 7 Myriophyllum crispatum Haloragaceae Orchard + + + + + + 22 Myriophyllum papillosum Haloragaceae Orchard + + + + + + + + + + 30 Myriophyllum spp. Haloragaceae L. + + 6 Myriophyllum verrucosum Haloragaceae Lindl. + + + + + + + 17 Nymphoides crenata Menyanthaceae (F.Muell.) Kuntze + + + + 7 Oenothera spp.* Onagraceae L. + 1 Osteocarpum acropterum Chenopodiaceae (F.Muell. & Tate) Volkens + 1 Ottelia ovalifolia subsp. ovalifolia (R.Br.) Rich. + + 9
Persicaria orientalis Polygonaceae (L.) Spach + + + + + + 14 Persicaria prostrata Polygonaceae (R.Br.) Sojak + + + + + + + + + + + 126 Persicaria spp. Polygonaceae Mill. + 1 Phyla canescens* Verbenaceae (Kunth) Greene + + + + + + 49 Phyla nodiflora Verbenaceae (L.) Greene + + + + + 14 Phyllanthus lacunarius Phyllanthaceae F.Muell. + + + 5 Physalis angulata* Solanaceae L. + + 8 Physalis minima* Solanaceae L. + 1 Piptatherum miliaceum* Poaceae (L.) Coss. + 5 Plantago cunninghamii Plantaginaceae Decne. + 1 Plantago lanceolata* Plantaginaceae L. + 1 Pluchea dentex Asteraceae Benth. + 1 Poa infirma* Poaceae Kunth + 2 Poa labillardierei Poaceae Steud. + 50 Poaceae Poaceae + + + + + + + + + + + + + 182 Polycarpon tetraphyllum* Caryophyllaceae (L.) L. + 1 Polygonum arenastrum* Polygonaceae Jord. ex Boreau + + + + + 10 Polygonum aviculare* Polygonaceae L. + + + + + + + + + + + + + 57 Polygonum plebeium Polygonaceae R.Br. + + + + + 14 Polygonum spp. Polygonaceae L. + + 7
Sclerolaena glabra Chenopodiaceae (F.Muell.) Domin + 3 Sclerolaena intricata Chenopodiaceae A.J.Scott + + 2 Sclerolaena muricata Chenopodiaceae (Moq.) Domin + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 134 Sclerolaena spp. Chenopodiaceae R.Br. + + + 17 Sclerolaena stelligera Chenopodiaceae (F.Muell.) + 1 Sclerolaena tricuspis Chenopodiaceae (F.Muell.) Ulbr. + + 5 Senecio cunninghamii var. cunninghamii Asteraceae DC. + + + + 42 Senecio glossanthus Asteraceae (Sond.) Belcher + 4 Senecio hispidulus Asteraceae A.Rich. + 1 Senecio magnificus Asteraceae F.Muell. + + + 5 Senecio quadridentatus Asteraceae Labill. + + + + + + + 43 Senecio runcinifolius Asteraceae J.H.Willis + + + + + + + + + + + + + 30 Senecio spp. Asteraceae L. + + + + + + + 100 Sesbania cannabina var. cannabina Fabaceae (Retz.) Poir. + + + + + + 14 Sida cunninghamii Malvaceae C.T.White + 1 Sida fibulifera Malvaceae Lindl. + + + + 14 Sida intricata Malvaceae F.Muell. + 1
Sporobolus spp. Poaceae R.Br. + 1 Stellaria angustifolia Caryophyllaceae Hook. + + + + + + + 34 Stellaria media* Caryophyllaceae (L.) Vill. + + 6 Stemodia florulenta Plantaginaceae + + 31 Taraxacum spp. Asteraceae F.H.Wigg. + 6 Tecticornia triandra Chenopodiaceae (F.Muell.) & Paul G. Wilson + 1 Tetragonia tetragonioides Aizoaceae + + 2 Teucrium racemosum Lamiaceae R.Br. + + 4 Thellungia advena Poaceae Stapf + 1 Themeda spp. Poaceae Forssk. + 1 Themeda triandra Poaceae Forssk. + 2 Tragopogon porrifolius* Asteraceae L. + + + + + + + 16 Tragus australianus Poaceae S.T.Blake + 2 Trianthema triquetrum Aizoaceae Willd. + 1 Tribulus terrestris* Zygophyllaceae L. + 1 Trifolium arvense* Fabaceae L. + 14 Trifolium campestre* Fabaceae Schreb. + 1 Trifolium spp.* Fabaceae L. + 3 Trifolium subterraneum* Fabaceae L. + 2
Wahlenbergia communis Campanulaceae Carolin + 1 Wahlenbergia fluminalis Campanulaceae E.Wimm. ex H.Eichler + + 5 Wahlenbergia gracilenta Campanulaceae Lothian + 1 Wahlenbergia spp. Campanulaceae Schrad. ex Roth + + + 12 Xanthium spinosum* Asteraceae L. + + + + + + 16 Xanthium strumarium* Asteraceae L. + + + + + + 6 Zygophyllum apiculatum Zygophyllaceae F.Muell. + + 52 Zygophyllum spp. Zygophyllaceae L. + + 4 Note: asterisks (*) indicate exotic species.