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South-East Freshwater Biogeographic Province

South-East Freshwater Biogeographic Province – Climate

Wet season (Jan-Apr) Average temperature (19°) Temperature varies along a NE-SW gradient Evaporation exceeds rainfall Width of riparian zone (27m) Small, medium trees Grasses Relief ratio variable Relief ratio variable Percentage of water which is base flow (12%) Annual spate duration (1 month) Annual no-flow duration (3 months) Sand Metamorphic rock High macroinvertebrate richness Low turbidity Large woody debris cover (13%) 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 Tandanus

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Rainfall

River rapids, Photo by Water Planning Ecology Group, DSITIA

Annual mean precipitation is moderate to high throughout the FBP, with a mean of 916 mm and a maximum of 3081 mm. An obvious east to west gradient exists for annual mean precipitation, with areas in close proximity to the coast receiving the highest rainfall. The values for the driest quarter precipitation are high throughout the FBP, with a mean of 109 mm. Areas in the north-west of the FBP have slightly lower values (with a minimum of 73 mm recorded) in comparison to the coastal and southern parts of the FBP. Rainfall erosivity, the potential for rainfall induced soil loss[1] ranges from low to high throughout the FBP, with rainfall erosivity decreasing as distance from the coast increases. Areas of the FBP that receive the highest annual mean precipitation have the highest rainfall erosivity values.

Precipitation results in lateral run-off from the surrounding catchments into rivers, supplying water, sediment, nutrients and debris (allochthonous inputs) to the system. The moderate to high volume of rainfall in this FBP suggests a moderate to high potential rate and volume of input.

 

Information about Rainfall

Information about methods

 

Mean SE Minimum Maximum
Annual mean precipitation (mm) 916.76 0.21 637 3081
Driest quarter precipitation (mm) 109.28 0.021 73 328
Rainfall erosivity (MJ mm ha-1 hr-1 yr-1) 3064.39 1.21 1633 15400

Summary Maps of FBP Rainfall   State Rainfall Map

Temperature

Jardine River, Photo by Water Planning Ecology Group, DSITIA

Yabba Creek, Photo by Water Planning Ecology Group, DSITIA

The annual mean temperature for the South-East FBP ranges from cool to cold, with the warmer areas located near the coast. Values for the highest weekly mean maximum temperature are similar throughout the FBP. The highest value for this statistic recorded in the FBP is 32.6 °C. Values for the lowest mean minimum temperature ranged throughout the FBP from low to moderate. There appears to be a gradient related to distance from the coast, with the coastal areas of the FBP experiencing higher temperatures than those further inland. The ratio of hottest weekly maximum to coldest weekly minimum values was variable throughout the FBP. Seasonality in temperature is not pronounced in the coastal areas, but is pronounced further inland.

 

Information about temperature

Information about methods

 

Mean SE Minimum Maximum
Mean annual temperature (°C) 19.18 0.0011 12.10 21.90
Highest weekly mean maximum temperature (°C) 30.17 0.0011 21.80 32.60
Lowest weekly mean minimum temperature (°C) 5.77 0.0020 1.60 12.80
Ratio hottest weekly maximum to coldest weekly minimum 5.86 0.0019 2.27 16.44

Summary Maps of FBP Temperature   State Temperature Map

Water Balance

Happy Mullet, Photo by Water Planning Ecology Group, DSITIA

Mean annual run-off in most of the FBP, particularly the inland areas is low; suggesting most of the rainfall is lost as evaporation. Mean annual run-off along the coast and in the southern sections of the FBP ranges from low to high.

 

Information about water balance

Information about methods

 

Mean SE Minimum Maximum
Annual mean "run-off" (mm) 1.00 0.0085 0.01 11.51

FBP Run-off Map

References

  1. ^ Stein, JL (2005), Landscape characteristics of Queensland Freshwater Biogeographical Provinces, Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies, Australian National University.

Last updated: 22 March 2013

This page should be cited as:

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2013) South-East Freshwater Biogeographic Province – Climate, WetlandInfo website, accessed 30 August 2024. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/ecology/aquatic-ecosystems-natural/riverine/freshwater-biogeo/south-east/climate.html

Queensland Government
WetlandInfo   —   Department of Environment, Science and Innovation