Queensland Murray-Darling Freshwater Biogeographic Province

Queensland Murray-Darling Freshwater Biogeographic Province – Introduced fauna—riparian

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• Overview
• Climate
• Geology and topography
• Deposited sediment
• Hydrology
• Water quality
• Habitat
• Introduced fauna—riparian
• Introduced fauna—aquatic
• Photos

Feral animals and livestock can damage riparian areas, stream banks and dry stream beds while accessing water and other resources. Pugging, rooting and trampling can accelerate erosion and alter instream sediment dynamics. Soil compaction can also occur along stock trails, reducing water infiltration while increasing run-off.

Grazing of vegetation by introduced fauna can alter the structural diversity of the riparian vegetation and decrease bank stability.

Urine and faeces in and around waterholes can change water quality and increase nutrients which can lead to increased algal growth, reduced oxygen levels and cause anoxic conditions.

Increased erosion produces fine sediment which can remain suspended (turbidity), while coarser sediment can settle and smother benthic habitat. This sedimentation can reduce waterhole persistence.

Dry stream beds provide habitat for invertebrates. These communities reflect the health of dry stream ecosystems.

Increasing turbidity can reduce the amount of light penetrating the water column (i.e. photic depth).This limits instream primary production.

Disturbed areas are more susceptible to weed invasion. Animals can aid in the transport of weeds by transporting them on hair, fur or in faeces.

Water temperature can increase due to suspended particles absorbing heat. Dissolved oxygen decreases with increasing water temperature.

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

Last updated: 22 May 2014