Appendix 2D: Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes Ramsar Site threats The table below provides a summary of threats to the ecological character of the Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes Ramsar Site; their impact, likelihood and timing. Summary of main threats (as detailed in Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes Ramsar Site Ecological Character Description Hale, J. and Butcher, R., 2011 for Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities).
Actual or likely threat
Potential impact(s) to wetland components, processes and/or service
Likelihood1
Increased water resource development
Reduced frequency and duration of inundation leading to loss of habitat and diversity of hydrological regimes. Impacts on waterbirds, fish and aquatic macrophytes are likely.
Low
Climate change
Declining rainfall and increased summer rainfall intensity will alter flood behaviour, but catchment conditions at the time of each rainfall event (soil moisture conditions and levels in major water storages) will affect the degree of change. Water quality may decline due to lower flows and higher temperatures, with a likely increase in the incidence of algal blooms.
Certain
Long term
Grazing
Uncontrolled grazing from native and introduced herbivores has the potential to change vegetation community structure and affect recruitment of woody vegetation such as river red gum.
Certain
Current
Invasive species
Increased numbers of invasive fish species leading to loss of value of site as having a high proportion of native fish. Increased predation on waterbirds. Disruption of sediment by pigs leading to loss of species and increased weed invasion. River red gum encroachment leading to change in habitat.
Certain
Current
Timing Current
Certain is defined as known to occur at the site or has occurred in the past; Medium is defined as not known from the site but occurs at similar sites; and Low is defined as theoretically possible, but not recorded at this or similar sites. 1
Appendix 2E: Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes Ramsar Site monitoring needs The table below provides an overview of monitoring required at the Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes Ramsar Site to set baselines for key components and processes and to assess against Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC). Monitoring needs for Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes Ramsar Site (as detailed in Hattah-Kulkyne Lakes Ramsar Site Ecological Character Description Hale, J. and Butcher, R., 2011 for Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities).
Component/ Process
Purpose
Indicator Daily flow at Euston. Number of events of specified magnitude and duration
Hydrology
Assessment against LAC Number of filling events (from abovethreshold flows and/or environmental watering) within the Lakes
Waterbirds
Assessment against LAC
Lake bed herbland vegetation
Assessment against LAC Extent
Abundance and species identifications, breeding observations
Abundance, species richness, young of year
Fish
Assessment against LAC
Threatened species
Assessment against LAC Location, abundance
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Mallee Waterway Strategy 2014 - 22
Locations Euston gauge Murray River
Frequency
Priority
Continuous
High
Entire Ramsar site.
Event based or as per TLM monitoring guidelines.
High
Entire Ramsar site.
Once every five years.
High
Entire Ramsar site.
As per TLM monitoring guidelines and opportunist surveys of irregularly filled wetlands
High
Targeted within Ramsar site
Targeted surveys for each species
Low
Lakes within Ramsar site