Australia is developing a national river health monitoring framework to standardize assessments across states. Trials of the Framework for Assessment of River and Wetland Health (FARWH) took place from 2005-2011. FARWH uses six indices - hydrology, physical form, catchment disturbance, fringing zone, aquatic biota, and water quality - to assess condition on a scale of 0 to 1. The trials found this approach was achievable but more work is needed to define reference conditions. A two-tiered assessment approach was proposed using broadscale desktop assessments followed by targeted field assessments. Five options were presented for national reporting ranging from the current jurisdictional approach to national reporting every 5 years with both broadscale and detailed field assessments
1) The document discusses river flow health in China using existing monthly flow volume data from Chinese rivers.
2) Graphs show flow volumes at different locations on the Yellow River have fluctuated over time, with decreases observed after the construction of major dams.
3) The document proposes an index to assess the degree to which actual river flows meet expected environmental flow needs, with scores based on measured flows compared to recommended flows.
This document outlines the guiding principles for river health assessment. It discusses identifying objectives, why monitoring is important, tools to quantify river health like macroinvertebrates and fish, conceptual models, river classification, testing indicators, and selecting benchmarks. The key steps are to identify objectives, suitable indicators, conceptual models, river types, refine sampling, select benchmarks, report, and implement management actions. Healthy rivers provide ecosystem services like drinking water and biodiversity. Monitoring helps protect important environmental values from threats like pollution and habitat loss.
This document discusses factors to consider when designing a river health assessment sampling program. It notes that the number of sites, sampling frequency, site locations, and sampling methods depend on the budget, objectives, variability in conditions, and reporting scale. A statistically-valid, randomized approach is best but more expensive. Standardized protocols should be followed at each site.
The International WaterCentre (IWC) Master of Integrated Water Management program is designed to equip future water leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to create innovative, ‘whole-of-water-cycle’ solutions to local and global water challenges. The degree is co-badged and co-taught by IWC's four founding member universities: The University of Queensland, Griffith University, Monash University and The University of Western Australia.
The document discusses the importance of monitoring river health by selecting meaningful indicators. Key points include:
- River health depends on human values and can be assessed similarly to human health.
- Rivers face threats from pollution, loss of floodplains, and dams that block flows.
- Monitoring is important to protect environmental assets like biodiversity and drinking water.
- Effective monitoring requires clear objectives, indicators linked to threats, conceptual models, river classification, and reporting to guide management actions.
This document summarizes key issues and lessons from water resources planning and governance in highly contested river basins:
1. In heavily used river basins, it is no longer possible to allocate water to meet all demands. Water resources planning must shift to view water as integrated into the economy, not separate from it.
2. Social and cultural values must be understood and incorporated into the planning process, as people's values matter greatly in contested basins.
3. Environmental protection arguments require strong evidence when water development offers clear social and economic benefits, especially in developing countries. Good science and monitoring are needed.
4. Challenges of water, food, and energy security are intricately linked and must
This document provides an overview of the Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee (B4C) and their efforts to preserve the Bulimba Creek catchment in Brisbane, Australia. B4C is a non-profit environmental group formed in 1997 that works with local communities and organizations on issues like habitat protection, erosion, weeds, and water quality. They lead revegetation efforts, weed control programs, environmental education initiatives in schools, and work with various partners and sponsors. B4C aims to involve the local community and raise awareness of threats to the local environment like urban development, land clearing, and inappropriate land uses.
Australia is developing a national river health monitoring framework to standardize assessments across states. Trials of the Framework for Assessment of River and Wetland Health (FARWH) took place from 2005-2011. FARWH uses six indices - hydrology, physical form, catchment disturbance, fringing zone, aquatic biota, and water quality - to assess condition on a scale of 0 to 1. The trials found this approach was achievable but more work is needed to define reference conditions. A two-tiered assessment approach was proposed using broadscale desktop assessments followed by targeted field assessments. Five options were presented for national reporting ranging from the current jurisdictional approach to national reporting every 5 years with both broadscale and detailed field assessments
1) The document discusses river flow health in China using existing monthly flow volume data from Chinese rivers.
2) Graphs show flow volumes at different locations on the Yellow River have fluctuated over time, with decreases observed after the construction of major dams.
3) The document proposes an index to assess the degree to which actual river flows meet expected environmental flow needs, with scores based on measured flows compared to recommended flows.
This document outlines the guiding principles for river health assessment. It discusses identifying objectives, why monitoring is important, tools to quantify river health like macroinvertebrates and fish, conceptual models, river classification, testing indicators, and selecting benchmarks. The key steps are to identify objectives, suitable indicators, conceptual models, river types, refine sampling, select benchmarks, report, and implement management actions. Healthy rivers provide ecosystem services like drinking water and biodiversity. Monitoring helps protect important environmental values from threats like pollution and habitat loss.
This document discusses factors to consider when designing a river health assessment sampling program. It notes that the number of sites, sampling frequency, site locations, and sampling methods depend on the budget, objectives, variability in conditions, and reporting scale. A statistically-valid, randomized approach is best but more expensive. Standardized protocols should be followed at each site.
The International WaterCentre (IWC) Master of Integrated Water Management program is designed to equip future water leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to create innovative, ‘whole-of-water-cycle’ solutions to local and global water challenges. The degree is co-badged and co-taught by IWC's four founding member universities: The University of Queensland, Griffith University, Monash University and The University of Western Australia.
The document discusses the importance of monitoring river health by selecting meaningful indicators. Key points include:
- River health depends on human values and can be assessed similarly to human health.
- Rivers face threats from pollution, loss of floodplains, and dams that block flows.
- Monitoring is important to protect environmental assets like biodiversity and drinking water.
- Effective monitoring requires clear objectives, indicators linked to threats, conceptual models, river classification, and reporting to guide management actions.
This document summarizes key issues and lessons from water resources planning and governance in highly contested river basins:
1. In heavily used river basins, it is no longer possible to allocate water to meet all demands. Water resources planning must shift to view water as integrated into the economy, not separate from it.
2. Social and cultural values must be understood and incorporated into the planning process, as people's values matter greatly in contested basins.
3. Environmental protection arguments require strong evidence when water development offers clear social and economic benefits, especially in developing countries. Good science and monitoring are needed.
4. Challenges of water, food, and energy security are intricately linked and must
This document provides an overview of the Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee (B4C) and their efforts to preserve the Bulimba Creek catchment in Brisbane, Australia. B4C is a non-profit environmental group formed in 1997 that works with local communities and organizations on issues like habitat protection, erosion, weeds, and water quality. They lead revegetation efforts, weed control programs, environmental education initiatives in schools, and work with various partners and sponsors. B4C aims to involve the local community and raise awareness of threats to the local environment like urban development, land clearing, and inappropriate land uses.
This document discusses adaptive management frameworks for river health improvement and ecosystem monitoring programs. It focuses on the need for programs to be adaptive, engage stakeholders, and assess all components of complex ecological systems.
The document discusses the development of an Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program (EHMP) for streams and rivers in southeast Queensland, Australia. It outlines the process used to design a cost-effective monitoring program, including developing conceptual models, classifying waterways, pilot testing indicators, and a major field trial to evaluate the response of indicators to disturbance gradients. Key indicators were selected for the EHMP based on their ability to detect various types of disturbance and their association with catchment characteristics.
The Healthy Waterways Partnership works collaboratively across government, industry, research and community groups to manage water quality and catchments in South East Queensland through programs that protect waterways, manage sources of pollution, and restore habitats. Modelling and monitoring are used to identify priority areas for managing sediment, nutrients and other pollutants from urban, rural and natural sources to achieve water quality objectives for estuaries and coastal waters. Progress is tracked through report cards using ecosystem health and biological indicators to guide ongoing management strategies and investments.
This document discusses the development of a wireless sensor network system for environmental monitoring and management support. The key points are:
1) The system would be smart, distributed, low-cost, robust, adaptable, scalable, and eco-friendly to provide continuous data collection across ecological scales from satellite to ground sensors.
2) It represents a new platform that takes a multidisciplinary approach through phased R&D to evolve viable sensor network products that are broadly applicable beyond just the environments being monitored.
3) Initial transmission trials of the sensor network in sea environments showed promise while also demonstrating limitations of very low frequency communication that require further development of the system.
The document outlines a river health indicator monitoring program that measures indicators of river health at various sites. It lists the names and locations of sites that are monitored, including Luggage Pt STP, and shows the years that monitoring occurred at each site.
1. Water reform in Australia is led by the National Water Commission and National Water Initiative, which aim to establish a nationally compatible system for managing water resources.
2. Water management is primarily a state responsibility, but the federal government is involved in coordination, funding, and planning for transboundary systems like the Murray-Darling Basin.
3. Key elements of reform include clearer water entitlements, statutory water planning, increased water trading, consumption-based pricing, and ensuring environmental water needs are met.
This document discusses the level at which water take would compromise key environmental assets, ecosystem functions, productive base, and environmental outcomes for a water resource. It suggests monitoring water levels to ensure take does not exceed this level. Maintaining water levels protects the environment while allowing controlled water use.
Jennifer Martin gave a presentation on November 23, 2009 about aquatic ecosystems policy to the Aquatic Ecosystems Policy Section. The presentation covered policies relating to aquatic ecosystems and was given on behalf of Di Conrick from the Australian government's environment department website. The presentation addressed aquatic ecosystem policies.
This document discusses Australia's National Water Quality Management Strategy and its goals of protecting water resources while allowing for economic and social development. It outlines the strategy's key elements which include defining environmental values and water quality objectives, establishing water quality guidelines, developing monitoring programs, and taking management responses to achieve the objectives. The strategy takes a catchment-based approach and uses tools like predictive models and monitoring to assess progress towards the objectives.
The Water Group has four key objectives for stakeholder engagement: 1) enhance their understanding of stakeholder views on water issues; 2) increase stakeholder understanding of current water policies and programs and get their input in development of new policies; 3) respond to stakeholder concerns about water reform through policies and programs; and 4) improve stakeholder support for government water initiatives through greater understanding. They plan to achieve these objectives through community information sessions, stakeholder reference panels, regional contacts, consultations, and briefings.
This document summarizes a visit to the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts in Canberra on November 23, 2009. It lists the host, Christine Schweizer, and presentation details from Seung-Hoon Baek on community water input, Bruce Gray on water quality, and Ben Docker on the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder initiative. Contact information is provided for further information or questions.
This document discusses priorities for ensuring adequate water resources for the future, including enhancing hydrological modeling, establishing water metering standards, setting water research priorities, and developing a water compliance and enforcement framework. It focuses on actions needed across modeling, infrastructure, research, and regulation to manage water sustainably over the long run.
The document summarizes environmental values (EVs), water quality objectives (WQOs), and aquatic ecosystem health reporting. It defines EVs as the qualities of water that support aquatic ecosystems and human uses. WQOs are measures of water quality indicators that protect EVs. The document provides diagrams showing reference site locations and environmental flow objectives, with the goal of minimizing deviation to prevent environmental degradation. It also includes a table explaining the ratings used to present averaged assessments in reports.
Queensland's water planning process has two parts: (1) a Water Resource Plan which involves technical assessments, community consultation, and public review; and (2) a Resource Operations Plan which implements the WRP through monitoring, assessment and 10-year reviews. The WRP considers factors like hydrology, water use, climate change and environmental values.
The document summarizes water usage in Australia. It states that total average annual water consumption is about 4,500 GL/a, with 67% of that used for agriculture. The largest agricultural use is for irrigation. The document also lists several acts related to water management in Queensland and outlines some key water conservation and research programs.
This document discusses adaptive management frameworks for complex socio-ecological systems. It focuses on three key areas: assessing system health, engaging stakeholders, and monitoring programs.
Paul McAntee of Brisbane City Council discusses transitioning Brisbane toward becoming a more water smart city. The document outlines Brisbane's journey from a water supply city to its current state and goals of a sustainable, healthy river and bay. It discusses key performance indicators and programs to improve water management, including creek rehabilitation, stormwater drainage projects, and a local waterway health assessment program.
1) The document discusses environmental flows and management scenarios for sustaining river ecosystems. It describes global declines in river health due to loss of flows and impacts of flow regime changes.
2) Two management scenarios are presented: determining environmental flows for a new reservoir, and prioritizing flows for multiple assets with limited water. Assessment methods ranging from rapid to comprehensive are discussed.
3) The ecological significance of natural flow regimes is explored, with flow identified as a master variable influencing physical/chemical characteristics and species distributions in rivers and floodplains.
The document discusses two methodologies for determining environmental flows: DRIFT and ELOHA. DRIFT is a rapid, scenario-based approach using an expert panel that focuses on alterations to flow volume. ELOHA is a more comprehensive, regional-scale approach that considers all ecologically relevant components of flow regimes. It classifies rivers and develops flow alteration-ecological response relationships specific to each river class. The document provides an example of using ELOHA to determine environmental flows for a new reservoir on a river like the Li Jiang by learning from rivers already altered.
The document discusses environmental flow methodologies for river ecosystem management. It provides a brief history of the development of various environmental flow methodologies from 1992 to the present. It then describes the DRIFT (Downstream Response to Imposed Flow Transformations) methodology in more detail. DRIFT is presented as a scenario-based approach that evaluates the biophysical, social, and economic consequences of changes to river flow regimes. The final sections provide examples of applying DRIFT to assess flow requirements for new dams as part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
This document discusses adaptive management frameworks for river health improvement and ecosystem monitoring programs. It focuses on the need for programs to be adaptive, engage stakeholders, and assess all components of complex ecological systems.
The document discusses the development of an Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program (EHMP) for streams and rivers in southeast Queensland, Australia. It outlines the process used to design a cost-effective monitoring program, including developing conceptual models, classifying waterways, pilot testing indicators, and a major field trial to evaluate the response of indicators to disturbance gradients. Key indicators were selected for the EHMP based on their ability to detect various types of disturbance and their association with catchment characteristics.
The Healthy Waterways Partnership works collaboratively across government, industry, research and community groups to manage water quality and catchments in South East Queensland through programs that protect waterways, manage sources of pollution, and restore habitats. Modelling and monitoring are used to identify priority areas for managing sediment, nutrients and other pollutants from urban, rural and natural sources to achieve water quality objectives for estuaries and coastal waters. Progress is tracked through report cards using ecosystem health and biological indicators to guide ongoing management strategies and investments.
This document discusses the development of a wireless sensor network system for environmental monitoring and management support. The key points are:
1) The system would be smart, distributed, low-cost, robust, adaptable, scalable, and eco-friendly to provide continuous data collection across ecological scales from satellite to ground sensors.
2) It represents a new platform that takes a multidisciplinary approach through phased R&D to evolve viable sensor network products that are broadly applicable beyond just the environments being monitored.
3) Initial transmission trials of the sensor network in sea environments showed promise while also demonstrating limitations of very low frequency communication that require further development of the system.
The document outlines a river health indicator monitoring program that measures indicators of river health at various sites. It lists the names and locations of sites that are monitored, including Luggage Pt STP, and shows the years that monitoring occurred at each site.
1. Water reform in Australia is led by the National Water Commission and National Water Initiative, which aim to establish a nationally compatible system for managing water resources.
2. Water management is primarily a state responsibility, but the federal government is involved in coordination, funding, and planning for transboundary systems like the Murray-Darling Basin.
3. Key elements of reform include clearer water entitlements, statutory water planning, increased water trading, consumption-based pricing, and ensuring environmental water needs are met.
This document discusses the level at which water take would compromise key environmental assets, ecosystem functions, productive base, and environmental outcomes for a water resource. It suggests monitoring water levels to ensure take does not exceed this level. Maintaining water levels protects the environment while allowing controlled water use.
Jennifer Martin gave a presentation on November 23, 2009 about aquatic ecosystems policy to the Aquatic Ecosystems Policy Section. The presentation covered policies relating to aquatic ecosystems and was given on behalf of Di Conrick from the Australian government's environment department website. The presentation addressed aquatic ecosystem policies.
This document discusses Australia's National Water Quality Management Strategy and its goals of protecting water resources while allowing for economic and social development. It outlines the strategy's key elements which include defining environmental values and water quality objectives, establishing water quality guidelines, developing monitoring programs, and taking management responses to achieve the objectives. The strategy takes a catchment-based approach and uses tools like predictive models and monitoring to assess progress towards the objectives.
The Water Group has four key objectives for stakeholder engagement: 1) enhance their understanding of stakeholder views on water issues; 2) increase stakeholder understanding of current water policies and programs and get their input in development of new policies; 3) respond to stakeholder concerns about water reform through policies and programs; and 4) improve stakeholder support for government water initiatives through greater understanding. They plan to achieve these objectives through community information sessions, stakeholder reference panels, regional contacts, consultations, and briefings.
This document summarizes a visit to the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts in Canberra on November 23, 2009. It lists the host, Christine Schweizer, and presentation details from Seung-Hoon Baek on community water input, Bruce Gray on water quality, and Ben Docker on the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder initiative. Contact information is provided for further information or questions.
This document discusses priorities for ensuring adequate water resources for the future, including enhancing hydrological modeling, establishing water metering standards, setting water research priorities, and developing a water compliance and enforcement framework. It focuses on actions needed across modeling, infrastructure, research, and regulation to manage water sustainably over the long run.
The document summarizes environmental values (EVs), water quality objectives (WQOs), and aquatic ecosystem health reporting. It defines EVs as the qualities of water that support aquatic ecosystems and human uses. WQOs are measures of water quality indicators that protect EVs. The document provides diagrams showing reference site locations and environmental flow objectives, with the goal of minimizing deviation to prevent environmental degradation. It also includes a table explaining the ratings used to present averaged assessments in reports.
Queensland's water planning process has two parts: (1) a Water Resource Plan which involves technical assessments, community consultation, and public review; and (2) a Resource Operations Plan which implements the WRP through monitoring, assessment and 10-year reviews. The WRP considers factors like hydrology, water use, climate change and environmental values.
The document summarizes water usage in Australia. It states that total average annual water consumption is about 4,500 GL/a, with 67% of that used for agriculture. The largest agricultural use is for irrigation. The document also lists several acts related to water management in Queensland and outlines some key water conservation and research programs.
This document discusses adaptive management frameworks for complex socio-ecological systems. It focuses on three key areas: assessing system health, engaging stakeholders, and monitoring programs.
Paul McAntee of Brisbane City Council discusses transitioning Brisbane toward becoming a more water smart city. The document outlines Brisbane's journey from a water supply city to its current state and goals of a sustainable, healthy river and bay. It discusses key performance indicators and programs to improve water management, including creek rehabilitation, stormwater drainage projects, and a local waterway health assessment program.
1) The document discusses environmental flows and management scenarios for sustaining river ecosystems. It describes global declines in river health due to loss of flows and impacts of flow regime changes.
2) Two management scenarios are presented: determining environmental flows for a new reservoir, and prioritizing flows for multiple assets with limited water. Assessment methods ranging from rapid to comprehensive are discussed.
3) The ecological significance of natural flow regimes is explored, with flow identified as a master variable influencing physical/chemical characteristics and species distributions in rivers and floodplains.
The document discusses two methodologies for determining environmental flows: DRIFT and ELOHA. DRIFT is a rapid, scenario-based approach using an expert panel that focuses on alterations to flow volume. ELOHA is a more comprehensive, regional-scale approach that considers all ecologically relevant components of flow regimes. It classifies rivers and develops flow alteration-ecological response relationships specific to each river class. The document provides an example of using ELOHA to determine environmental flows for a new reservoir on a river like the Li Jiang by learning from rivers already altered.
The document discusses environmental flow methodologies for river ecosystem management. It provides a brief history of the development of various environmental flow methodologies from 1992 to the present. It then describes the DRIFT (Downstream Response to Imposed Flow Transformations) methodology in more detail. DRIFT is presented as a scenario-based approach that evaluates the biophysical, social, and economic consequences of changes to river flow regimes. The final sections provide examples of applying DRIFT to assess flow requirements for new dams as part of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
Arthington iwc e flows for delegation scenario 1 drift handout (2)
5 river health assessment pearl river pilot-cand_e
1. 中澳河流健康评估
Th e Rive r H e alth an d
E n viro n m e n tal F lo w in C h in a
Pro j c t
e
珠江流域水环境监测中心
The wa te r q ua lity mo nito ring
c e nte r o f Pe a rl Rive r B a s in
2. 汇报内容 O u tlin e
2
1 中澳河流健康项目进展及组成
2 中澳河流健康及环境流量技术细节
3 项目成果
4 下一步工作安排
3. 中澳河流健康项目进展
The p ro je c t p ro g re s s
201 0 年初示范区考察及项目培训
201 0 年 4 月桂江示范区采样
201 0 年 5 ~ 6 月赴澳洲共同工作
201 0 年 7 月北京工作汇报
201 0 年 1 1 月项目成果广州研讨
201 1 年中澳环境流量延伸项目
8. 中澳河流健康评估方法及技术细节
Te c hnic a l d e ta il
1 River Classification to identify homogenous ‘river types’
河流分类从而确认相同的河流类型
2 Identify suitable measures (indicators) of drivers, stressors and
response 确认合适的驱使因素,压力源和反应的指标
3 Trial sampling program and refinement of indicators
采样试验,完善指标
9. Rive r c las s ific atio n
河流分类
Compare apples with apples
16. 桂江河流健康指示因子
Th e p o te n tial in d ic to rs o f rive r
h e alth in Pilo t s ite s
1. 底栖无脊椎动物 Mac ro in ve rte b rate
• 鱼类 F is h
• 硅藻 D iato m
• 大型水生高等植物 Mac ro p h yte s
• 生态过程 E c o s ys te m Pro c e s s e s
• 河岸形态 C h an n e l C o n d itio n
16
• 水质 Wate r Q u ality
18. 硅藻 D iato m
disturbing factors Cond NH4 TN Cu
IPS -0.61* -0.667* -0.36 -0.45*
IBD -0.64** -0.70** -0.27 -0.49**
The results indicated by the Pearson’s factors,
*. Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed).
**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).
23. Calculating indicator scores 计算指标分数
e.g. metal concentrations ,例如,金属含量
Freq. 监测频率
(# obs.) All sites – all years ,所有监测点,所有年
Reference sites ,参考点,所有年 Single site ,单点,报告
– all years 年
80th % 50th % year
– report 95th %
Concentration ,浓度
1 0
( 参考点 ) ( 最差情况 )
Score = 1 - |(observed concentration-REF)/ (WCS – REF)|
分数 =1- |( 监测浓度 - 参考浓度 )/ ( 最差情况 – 参考浓度 )|
24. Combining data sets
Other water Dissolved
quality 1
metals
1
As
d H
C
0.8
0.6 g
0.4
pH
TSS 0.2
0 Cu Pb
N
3 2
Zn
Cond i
. Ag
Tissue As
Sediment
As
g metals
d
metals C H
g C
d
H
Cu Pb Cu Pb
N N
Zn
Zn
i i
Ag Ag
This figure would be used in the methods – to help (I hope) explain that data from many samples is averaged for each indicator, then (in most cases) log transformed and standardised relative to reference and worst case, then combined for each indicator group to give a score from 0 (bad = red) to 1 (good = green).