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Queensland Murray-Darling Freshwater Biogeographic Province

Queensland Murray-Darling Freshwater Biogeographic Province – Deposited sediment

Wet season (Jan-May) Average temperature (20°) Temperature varies along a west east gradient Evaporation exceeds rainfall Width of riparian zone (29m) Medium trees Grasses Low relief ratio Cracking clays Percentage of water which is base flow (9%) Annual spate duration (1 month) Annual no-flow duration (5 months) Clay Low macroinvertebrate richness High turbidity Large woody debris cover (8%) Submerged and emergent macrophyte growth forms dominant Concave bank shape category Convex bank shape category Dominant bank slope (10°-80°) Fauna Specific example – Life cycle of Golden Perch

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Sediment entering the stream Rain Clearing riparian vegetation Increased deposited sediment Altered instream habitat Sediment resuspended Pugging, wallows and tracks Pugging, wallows and tracks Pugging, wallows and tracks

Rain and run-off are the mechanisms of water erosion that contribute to instream sediment.

 

Pugging, wallows and tracks created by stock and feral animals can decrease bank stability and increase erosion potential. When this is coupled with the removal of riparian vegetation bank collapse can occur.

 

Clearing riparian vegetation reduces bank stability, shading and the capacity to filter run-off.

 

Sediment entering the stream can remain suspended or settle as deposited sediment. Toxicants and nutrients can attach to and be transported with sediment particles.

 

Increased deposited sediment smothers instream habitat and reduces waterhole persistence time through depth reduction.

 

 

Altered instream habitat can lead to changes in the structure and function of ecological communities and ecosystem processes.

Sediment is resuspended by the feeding behaviour of carp, a pest species.

Last updated: 22 March 2013

This page should be cited as:

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2013) Queensland Murray-Darling Freshwater Biogeographic Province – Deposited sediment, WetlandInfo website, accessed 18 March 2024. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/ecology/aquatic-ecosystems-natural/riverine/freshwater-biogeo/murray-darling/dsediment.html

Queensland Government
WetlandInfo   —   Department of Environment, Science and Innovation