Wetlands and Stream Ecology
Wetlands are an intrinsic element of the global landscape. In their many manifestations, they are centres of biodiversity, are crucial to communities reliant upon their natural functions, and also provide an aesthetic quality to our standard of living. In the past, wetlands have been treated with disregard and have suffered from being drained, filled and polluted. The ACTFR conducts research which is utilised in the management and rehabilitation of these wetland systems, as well as research which is designed to determine wetland process, structure and function.
Specific capabilities and areas of expertise include:
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Restoration of wetlands and watercourses;
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Wetland classification;
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Conservation significance and condition assessment for wetland habitat;
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Water resource planning and irrigation and dam development;
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Management of aquatic ecosystems in grazing and agricultural settings;
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Environmental Impact Assessment;
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Environmental management and implementation planning;
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Potential and actual Acid Sulfate Soils;
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Wetland monitoring; and
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Research program design and implementation
Equipment & resources
The ACTFR is equipped with 4WD vehicles, an off-road box trailer, a lightweight flat-bottomed punt, an outboard motor suitable for shallow water bodies, multi-probe dataloggers and a full range of flora, fauna and water quality sampling equipment. The ACTFR also provides full office, computing and telecommunications support for all aspects of its research and reporting and is well equipped with camping gear for long-term field survey.
The ACTFR also has close ties with the Botany, Zoology and Engineering Departments of James Cook University and often uses post-graduate students and staff as expert field assistants and sub-consultants.
Projects
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Townsville Field Training Area: Biological, Water Resource and Hydrological Surveys (project outline)
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Coastal Catchments Initiative (project outline)
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Freshwater Inventory in the Northern Gulf (project outline)
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Aquatic monitoring Tully Training Area (project outline)
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Prioritising Wetland Management in the Southern Gulf Region (project outline)
