Murray-Darling Basin Aquatic Ecosystem Classification

Abstract

This dataset and its metadata statement were supplied to the Bioregional Assessment Programme by a third party and are presented here as originally supplied.

This database contains an interim application of the Australian National Aquatic Ecosystem (ANAE) classification framework applied to the rivers, floodplains, wetlands and estuarine areas of the Murray-Darling Basin. The ANAE framework is a 'top down' (rules-based) approach to classification that uses attributes of aquatic ecosystems to assign them into specific types. The database consists of separate feature Layers: watercourse centrelines and polygons, wetlands, NSW RERP floodplain areas, MDB v2 "Kingsford" maximum extent floodplains.

Purpose

This classification of aquatic ecosystems was developed for the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Australia, and Murray-Darling Basin Authority to support the management of environmental water in the Murray-Darling basin.

Dataset History

The Commonwealth engaged Peter Cottingham & Associates to undertake a two-stage project to: 1. In collaboration with the Commonwealth and state jurisdictions confirm the feasibility of implementing a classification framework that is relevant to environmental water management, and depending on the outcomes of this stage 2. Implement the preferred classification framework across the Murray-Darling Basin on an interim basis. The outcomes of Stage 1 are reported in Cottingham P., Brooks S., Butcher R. and Hale J. (2012). Murray-Darling Basin aquatic ecosystem classification: Stage 1 report. Peter Cottingham & Associates report to the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office, Canberra. The data outputs and work in Stage 2 are reported in Brooks S., Cottingham P., Butcher R. and Hale J. (2013). Murray-Darling Basin aquatic ecosystem classification: Stage 2 report. Peter Cottingham & Associates report to the Commonwealth Environmental Water Office and Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Canberra. Feature layers (rivers, floodplain, wetlands and estuary) were obtained from contributing jurisdictions. Applying the ANAE framework to classify the aquatic ecosystems in the MDB required the following steps:

*Identification of the aquatic ecosystems that are to be classified and assigning them to a system class (estuarine, lacustrine, palustrine, riverine, floodplain). The attributes of the ANAE framework differ according to ecosystem class so identifying which system class an ecosystem belongs in is a necessary first step.

*Assignment of the relevant Level 1, 2 and 3 attributes to each aquatic ecosystem.

*Development and application of a typology that classifies the aquatic ecosystems into distinct classes such that systems within a type class share common attributes, but in combinations that differ from other type classes.

*Validation of classes to confirm utility and accuracy.

Dataset Citation

"Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities" (2014) Murray-Darling Basin Aquatic Ecosystem Classification. Bioregional Assessment Source Dataset. Viewed 11 December 2018, http://data.bioregionalassessments.gov.au/dataset/a854a25c-8820-455c-9462-8bd39ca8b9d6.