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Edgbaston Springs Photo by Water Planning Ecology Group, DSITIA

Quick facts

Terrestrial
and aquatic ecosystems may be groundwater dependent. Ecosystem dependency on groundwater may vary temporally (over time) and spatially (its location in the landscape).

Queensland's GDE mapping builds on existing information, including wetland mapping, regional ecosystem mapping, and a springs  database. This information is combined with feedback from a broad range of experts. The definitions and mapping attributes used in each  Queensland GDE mapping are outlined below National GDE Atlas attributes and definitions are noted with an asterisk after the attribute field name.

Mapping attribute and definitions

Note—TDS = total dissolved solids

Queensland Springs Data

Field  name (short)

Field description

Field values explained

NAME

Spring name

Name of Spring Site

SITE_NUMBER

Site Number

Unique Identifier for Spring Site

COMPLEX_NAME

SUPERGROUP_NAME

Name of Spring Supergroup

SPR_ACTIVITY_LEVEL

Spring Activity Regime

A - Springs permanently active

I - Springs permanently inactive

SPR_INACTIVITY_RATIONALE

Rationale for Spring Inactivity Regime (inactive springs only)

DD - Draw Down

SU - Silting Up

EXP - Explosive Use

UNK - Unknown

NA - Not Applicable

SPRING_RE

Spring Wetland Regional Ecosystem

Regional ecosystem code for spring wetland ecosystem

WETCLASS

Spring Wetland Class

P - palustrine spring wetland

R - riverine spring wetland

NA - Not Applicable

SOURCE_AQUIFER

Source Aquifer (Primary)

Name of primary source aquifer

SECONDARY_SOURCE_AQUIFER

Source Aquifer (Secondary)

Name of secondary source aquifer

SPR_CONSERVATION_RANKING

Spring Wetland Conservation Ranking

1a – Spring wetland contains at least one GAB endemic species not known from any other location beyond this spring complex.

1b – Spring wetland contains endemic species known from more than one spring complex; or has populations of threatened species listed under State or Commonwealth legislation that do not conform to Category 1a.

2 – Spring wetland provides habitat for populations of plant and/or animal species not known from habitat other than spring wetlands within 250km.

3 - Spring wetland vegetation without isolated populations (Category 2) with at least one native plant species that is not a weedy cosmopolitan plant species.

4a - Spring wetland vegetation is comprised of exotic and/or only native weedy cosmopolitan wetland plant species or a spring devoid of vegetation.

4b - The original spring wetland was destroyed by impoundment or excavation.

5 - All springs are inactive.

NA – Not Applicable

FLORA_EPBC

EPBC Listed Flora Species in Spring Wetland

E - Endangered

V - Vulnerable

CE - Critically endangered

CD - Conservation dependent

FAUNA_EPBC

EPBC Listed Fauna Species in Spring Wetland

E - Endangered

V - Vulnerable

CE - Critically endangered

CD - Conservation dependent

SPR_STATUS

Status of Spring Wetland Determination

SPR - known springs based on field survery data

UNK - potential spring based on expert knowledge

LATITUDE

Latitude

Latitude in decimal degrees

LONGITUDE

Longitude

Longitude in decimal degrees

AQ_SPRING_REPORT_URL

Spring Snapshot

URL to pdf document with spring snapshot

AQ_SPRING_HYDRO_REPORT_URL

Spring Report

URL to pdf document with hydrogeological overview where available

AQ_SPRING_REF_REPORT_URL

Spring Report

URL to pdf document with spring report where available

Surface Expression GDEs (points)

Field  name (short)

Field description

Field values explained

SITE_NUMBER

Site Number

Unique Identifier for Spring Site

GDE_CLASS*

GDE class

  1. Surface ecosystems dependent on the surface expression of groundwater
  2. Surface ecosystems dependent on the sub-surface presence of groundwater
  3. Subterranean (caves and aquifers)

AQ_NAME*

Name of the source aquifer

Name of the source aquifer or aquifers

AQ_GEOL*

Broad geology type of the source aquifer

  1. Fractured rock – a network of cracks, joints, faults or other breaks in the rock that cut through the rock matrix.
  2. Cavernous (includes karstic) – caverns, cells or coarse pore spaces.
  3. Unconsolidated sedimentary – loosely arranged or un-stratified sediments, where particles are not cemented together.
  4. Consolidated sedimentary
  5. Fractured & cavernous
  6. Fractured and consolidated sedimentary
  7. Cavernous & consolidated sedimentary
  8. Unknown
  9. No data

AQ_POROSTY*

Porosity of the source aquifer. Porosity is the percentage of rock or soil that is void of material. Porosity determines available habitat and affects the rate of water flow.

  1. Primary – the spaces between grains in consolidated or unconsolidated aquifers.
  2. Secondary – the void caused by fractures.
  3. Tertiary – fractures may be enlarged by solution or other processes, creating large voids or conduits.
  4. Primary & Secondary
  5. Primary & Tertiary
  6. Secondary & Tertiary
  7. All
  8. Unknown
  9. No data

AQ_CONFIN*

Confinement of the source aquifer

  1. Unconfined – water table aquifer, receives recharge from the land surface.
  2. Confined & semi-confined aquifers – overlain by a low permeability layer, so it does not receive direct vertical recharge and is less responsive to surface conditions. Water in a confined aquifer is typically under pressure.
  3. Unknown
  4. No data

AQ_GFS*

Groundwater flow system of the source aquifer.

  1. Shallow alluvial, Local – less than 5 kilometres.
  2. Shallow alluvial, Intermediate – between 5 and 50 kilometres.
  3. Shallow alluvial, Regional – greater than 50 kilometres.
  4. Basin, Local – less than 5 kilometres.
  5. Basin, Intermediate – between 5 and 50 kilometres.
  6. Basin, Regional – greater than 50 kilometres.
  7. Bedrock, Local – less than 5 kilometres.
  8. Bedrock, Intermediate – between 5 and 50 kilometres.
  9. Bedrock, Regional – greater than 50 kilometres.
  10. Perched

GW_SALINTY*

Salinity of groundwater from the source aquifer.

  1. < 1500 mg/L TDS – Fresh
  2. 1,500 - 3,000 mg/L TDS – Brackish
  3. 3,000 - 35,000 mg/L TDS – Saline
  4. 35,000 mg/L TDS – Hypersaline
  5. Fluctuating
  6. Stratified
  7. Unknown
  8. No data

GW_PH*

pH of groundwater from the source aquifer.

  1. < 6 – acidic
  2. 6 – 8 – neutral
  3. 8 – alkaline
  4. Fluctuating
  5. Unknown
  6. No data

GW_RECHARG*

Dominant recharge process of the source aquifer.

  1. Infiltration (local) – flow of rainfall from less than 5 kilometres into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  2. Infiltration (distant) – flow of rainfall from greater than 5 kilometres into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  3. Inundation (local) – flow of floodwater from less than 5 kilometres into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  4. Inundation (distant) – flow of floodwater from greater than 5 kilometres into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  5. Marine through-flow – flow of marine water into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  6. Combination
  7. Palaeo – old or ancient, no current recharge sources.
  8. Unknown

GW_CONN_SP*

Spatial connectivity between the GDE and groundwater, including the type and direction of connection

  1. Connected, gaining – where a groundwater table intersects the GDE and the hydraulic gradient is towards the GDE. Common examples are stream sections where groundwater levels are above the water level in the stream, the groundwater system discharges water to the stream and as a result increases the flow in the stream.
  2. Connected, losing – where a groundwater table intersects the GDE and the hydraulic gradient is away from the GDE. Common examples are stream sections where groundwater levels are below the water level in the stream, the stream discharges water to the groundwater system.
  3. Connected, variable gaining / losing – where a groundwater table intersects the GDE and the hydraulic gradient varies temporally towards and away from the GDE.
  4. Disconnected, losing – where a groundwater table does not intersect the GDE zone and a zone of unsaturated material exists between the bed of a river and the groundwater table beneath it.
  5. Unknown
  6. No data

GW_CONN_TM*

Temporal nature of the connection between the GDE and groundwater

  1. Ephemeral – only has groundwater connection after unpredictable and rare (i.e. extreme) rainfall and runoff events.
  2. Intermittent – has groundwater connection during alternating wet and dry periods, but less frequently and/or less regularly than seasonal connectivity.
  3. Seasonal – has groundwater connection during alternating wet and dry periods on a regular basis according to season.
  4. Permanent, near permanent – has groundwater connection that may be static or flowing, with varying levels. However is predictably connected to groundwater.
  5. Unknown
  6. No data

GW_CON_T_D

Detailed temporal nature of the connection between the GDE and groundwater

  1. Ephemeral – only has groundwater connection after unpredictable and rare (i.e. extreme) rainfall and runoff events.
  2. Episodic – only has groundwater connection after unpredictable rainfall and runoff events
  3. Intermittent – has groundwater connection during alternating wet and dry periods, but less frequently and/or less regularly than seasonal connectivity.
  4. Seasonal – has groundwater connection during alternating wet and dry periods on a regular basis according to season.
  5. Near-permanent – has groundwater connection that may be static or flowing, with varying levels. However there is a possibility that the flow could cease during long or extreme conditions (e.g. rare or non-cyclic conditions).
  6. Permanent – has groundwater connection that may be static or flowing, with varying levels. However is predictably connected to groundwater.
  7. Unknown
  8. No data

GDE_TYPE

Type of GDE

  1. Surface expression GDE
  2. Terrestrial GDE
  3. Subterranean GDE

RULE_ID

GDE mapping rule-set identifier

For example, 'EMDB_RS_03'

RULE_NAME

GDE mapping rule-set name

For example, 'Alluvia – eMDB'

RULE_PART

GDE mapping rule-set part name

For example, 'wetlands (excluding riverine regional ecosystems) on alluvia'

URL_RULE

Mapping rule-set documentation URL

For example, 'http://www.example.pdf'

GDE_CONF

Confidence in the groundwater dependence of the ecosystem.

  1. Known GDE
  2. High confidence
  3. Moderate confidence
  4. Low confidence
  5. Unknown confidence

C_MODEL

Conceptual model name

For example, 'Alluvia'

URL_CMODEL

Conceptual model documentation URL

For example, 'http://www.example.pdf'

DATA_SRC

Principal source dataset used to delineate the GDE point, line or area

For example, '2009 WETLANDS V3',  '2009 RE V7', 'QLD SPRINGS DATABASE V1'

GDE_EVID

Evidence supporting GDE identification

  1. Field survey
  2. Expert opinion
  3. Report
  4. Journal article
  5. Stream gauge
  6. Monitoring bore

VENT_ID

Unique identifier for an individual spring vent. Multiple vents from the same wetland are differentiated using underscore and a number.

For example, '302_1'

NAME

Name of the spring ecosystem.

For example, 'Aberc3'

COMPLXNAME

Name of the spring ecosystem complex.

For example, 'Abercorn'

REGION

Description of the spring ecosystem region as either GAB or a drainage catchment.

For example, 'GAB'

SPRING_STATUS

Description of the water regime of the spring ecosystem.

  1. Spring – spring with permanent water regime.
  2. Ephemeral – spring with non-permanent water regime.
  3. Not Sure

ELEVATION

Mean elevation in metres of a spring ecosystem. Referenced to Australian Height Datum and calculated from Ellipsoidal Height.

For example, '808'

POINT_ID           

Unique numeric spring ecosystem identifier from the Queensland Wetlands Mapping data.

Value is > 0

WETRE

Wetland regional ecosystem code.

For example, '11.3.22'

WETCLASS

Wetland class (or system).

  1. R – riverine
  2. E – estuarine
  3. P – palustrine
  4. L – lacustrine
  5. M – marine
  6. - –  not a water body/wetland

WTRREGIME

Water regime modifier of the wetland point.

  1. WR0 – uncertain inundation
  2. WR1 – rarely inundated (20% of images)
  3. WR2 – immediately inundated (40-60% of images)
  4. WR3 – commonly inundated (80-100% of images)
  5. TI – tidally influenced (estuarine, marine systems)

HYDROMOD

Hydrological modifier of the wetland point.

  1. H1 – No modifications observed.
  2. H2M1 – Modified - Riverine wetlands associated with dams and weirs located in a natural channel.
  3. H2M2 – Modified - Palustrine/Lacustrine wetlands where size and/or hydrology has changed due to levee bank.
  4. H2M2p – Modified - Palustrine/Lacustrine wetlands where size and/or hydrology has changed due to levee bank and dominated by exotic pasture species.
  5. H2M3 – Modified - Palustrine/Lacustrine wetlands where size and/or hydrology has changed the water body classification from estuarine to a fresh water system.
  6. H2M3p – Modified - Palustrine/Lacustrine wetlands where size and/or hydrology has changed the water body classification from estuarine to a fresh water system and dominated by exotic pasture species.
  7. H2M4 – Modified – springs.
  8. H2M4a – Modified - springs (dormant).
  9. H2M5 – Modified - Palustrine/Lacustrine wetlands where ecological character has changed due to gross mechanical disturbance e.g. cropping.
  10. H2M6 – Modified - Palustrine/Lacustrine wetlands that have been converted, completely or mostly, to a ring tank or other controlled storage.
  11. H2M7 – Modified - Riverine wetlands that have been converted mostly to canals or irrigation channels.
  12. H2M8 – Modified - Palustrine/Lacustrine/Riverine wetlands with no obvious structures but where the local hydrology has been totally altered by irrigation activity.
  13. H3C1 – Artificial wetlands - dams, ring-tanks.
  14. H3C2 – Artificial wetlands - channel drain/canals, bore drains.
  15. H3C3 – Artificial wetlands - levee bank across a floodplain.
  16. U – Unknown
  17. - –  not a water body/wetland

SALINMOD

Salinity modifier of the wetland point.

  1. S1 – fresh, < 0.5 parts per thousand
  2. S2 – hypo-saline, 0.5 – 30 parts per thousand
  3. S3 – saline, > 30 parts per thousand
  4. TI – tidally influenced (estuarine, marine systems)
  5. - –  not a water body/wetland

RE1

RE2

RE3

RE4

RE5

These fields separate the first five concatenated wetland regional ecosystem codes (WETRE) into five individual regional ecosystem attributes (e.g. RE1, RE2, RE3, RE4, RE5).

For example, '2.3.9a'

RE1_stem

RE2_stem

RE3_stem

RE4_stem

RE5_stem

These fields separate the first five concatenated wetland regional ecosystem codes (WETRE) into five individual regional ecosystem attributes (e.g. RE1_stem, RE2_stem, RE3_stem, RE4_stem, RE5_stem) where suffix letters representing vegetation communities (e.g. 'a') have been removed.

For example, '2.3.9'

Surface Expression GDEs (lines)

Field  name (short)

Field description

Field values explained

GDE_CLASS*

GDE class

  1. Surface ecosystems dependent on the surface expression of groundwater
  2. Surface ecosystems dependent on the sub-surface presence of groundwater
  3. Subterranean (caves and aquifers)

AQ_NAME*

Name of the source aquifer

Name of the source aquifer or aquifers

AQ_GEOL*

Broad geology type of the source aquifer

  1. Fractured rock – a network of cracks, joints, faults or other breaks in the rock that cut through the rock matrix.
  2. Cavernous (includes karstic) – caverns, cells or coarse pore spaces.
  3. Unconsolidated sedimentary – loosely arranged or un-stratified sediments, where particles are not cemented together.
  4. Consolidated sedimentary
  5. Fractured & cavernous
  6. Fractured and consolidated sedimentary
  7. Cavernous & consolidated sedimentary
  8. Unknown
  9. No data

AQ_POROSTY*

Porosity of the source aquifer. Porosity is the percentage of rock or soil that is void of material. Porosity determines available habitat and affects the rate of water flow.

  1. Primary – the spaces between grains in consolidated or unconsolidated aquifers.
  2. Secondary – the void caused by fractures.
  3. Tertiary – fractures may be enlarged by solution or other processes, creating large voids or conduits.
  4. Primary & Secondary
  5. Primary & Tertiary
  6. Secondary & Tertiary
  7. All
  8. Unknown
  9. No data

AQ_CONFIN*

Confinement of the source aquifer

  1. Unconfined – water table aquifer, receives recharge from the land surface.
  2. Confined & semi-confined aquifers – overlain by a low permeability layer, so it does not receive direct vertical recharge and is less responsive to surface conditions. Water in a confined aquifer is typically under pressure.
  3. Unknown
  4. No data

AQ_GFS*

Groundwater flow system of the source aquifer.

  1. Shallow alluvial, Local – less than 5 kilometres.
  2. Shallow alluvial, Intermediate – between 5 and 50 kilometres.
  3. Shallow alluvial, Regional – greater than 50 kilometres.
  4. Basin, Local – less than 5 kilometres.
  5. Basin, Intermediate – between 5 and 50 kilometres.
  6. Basin, Regional – greater than 50 kilometres.
  7. Bedrock, Local – less than 5 kilometres.
  8. Bedrock, Intermediate – between 5 and 50 kilometres.
  9. Bedrock, Regional – greater than 50 kilometres.
  10. Perched

GW_SALINTY*

Salinity of groundwater from the source aquifer.

  1. < 1500 mg/L TDS – Fresh
  2. 1,500 - 3,000 mg/L TDS – Brackish
  3. 3,000 - 35,000 mg/L TDS – Saline
  4. > 35,000 mg/L TDS – Hypersaline
  5. Fluctuating
  6. Stratified
  7. Unknown
  8. No data

GW_PH*

pH of groundwater from the source aquifer.

  1. < 6 – acidic
  2. 6 – 8 – neutral
  3. > 8 – alkaline
  4. Fluctuating
  5. Unknown
  6. No data

GW_RECHARG*

Dominant recharge process of the source aquifer.

  1. Infiltration (local) – flow of rainfall from less than 5 kilometres into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  2. Infiltration (distant) – flow of rainfall from greater than 5 kilometres into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  3. Inundation (local) – flow of floodwater from less than 5 kilometres into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  4. Inundation (distant) – flow of floodwater from greater than 5 kilometres into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  5. Marine through-flow – flow of marine water into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  6. Combination
  7. Palaeo – old or ancient, no current recharge sources.
  8. Unknown

GW_CONN_SP*

Spatial connectivity between the GDE and groundwater, including the type and direction of connection

  1. Connected, gaining – where a groundwater table intersects the GDE and the hydraulic gradient is towards the GDE. Common examples are stream sections where groundwater levels are above the water level in the stream, the groundwater system discharges water to the stream and as a result increases the flow in the stream.
  2. Connected, losing – where a groundwater table intersects the GDE and the hydraulic gradient is away from the GDE. Common examples are stream sections where groundwater levels are below the water level in the stream, the stream discharges water to the groundwater system.
  3. Connected, variable gaining / losing – where a groundwater table intersects the GDE and the hydraulic gradient varies temporally towards and away from the GDE.
  4. Disconnected, losing – where a groundwater table does not intersect the GDE zone and a zone of unsaturated material exists between the bed of a river and the groundwater table beneath it.
  5. Unknown
  6. No data

GW_CONN_TM*

Temporal nature of the connection between the GDE and groundwater

  1. Ephemeral – only has groundwater connection after unpredictable and rare (i.e. extreme) rainfall and runoff events.
  2. Intermittent – has groundwater connection during alternating wet and dry periods, but less frequently and/or less regularly than seasonal connectivity.
  3. Seasonal – has groundwater connection during alternating wet and dry periods on a regular basis according to season.
  4. Permanent, near permanent – has groundwater connection that may be static or flowing, with varying levels. However is predictably connected to groundwater.
  5. Unknown
  6. No data

GW_CON_T_D

Detailed temporal nature of the connection between the GDE and groundwater

  1. Ephemeral – only has groundwater connection after unpredictable and rare (i.e. extreme) rainfall and runoff events.
  2. Episodic – only has groundwater connection after unpredictable rainfall and runoff events
  3. Intermittent – has groundwater connection during alternating wet and dry periods, but less frequently and/or less regularly than seasonal connectivity.
  4. Seasonal – has groundwater connection during alternating wet and dry periods on a regular basis according to season.
  5. Near-permanent – has groundwater connection that may be static or flowing, with varying levels. However there is a possibility that the flow could cease during long or extreme conditions (e.g. rare or non-cyclic conditions).
  6. Permanent – has groundwater connection that may be static or flowing, with varying levels. However is predictably connected to groundwater.
  7. Unknown
  8. No data

GDE_TYPE

Type of GDE

  1. Surface expression GDE
  2. Terrestrial GDE
  3. Subterranean GDE

RULE_ID

GDE mapping rule-set identifier

For example, 'EMDB_RS_03'

RULE_NAME

GDE mapping rule-set name

For example, 'Alluvia – eMDB'

RULE_PART

GDE mapping rule-set part name

For example, 'wetlands (excluding riverine regional ecosystems) on alluvia'

URL_RULE

Mapping rule-set documentation URL

For example, 'http://www.example.pdf'

GDE_CONF

Confidence in the groundwater dependence of the ecosystem.

  1. Known GDE
  2. Derived GDE – high confidence
  3. Derived GDE – moderate confidence
  4. Derived GDE – low confidence
  5. Unknown confidence

C_MODEL

Conceptual model name

For example, 'Alluvia'

URL_CMODEL

Conceptual model documentation URL

For example, 'http://www.example.pdf'

GDE_D_RULE

GDE decision rule identifier. This attribute only applies to the eastern Murray-Darling Basin and Wide Bay-Burnett regions.

For example, 'WBB_DR_18'

DATA_SRC

Principal source dataset used to delineate the GDE point, line or area

For example, '2009 WETLANDS V3',  '2009 RE V7', 'QLD SPRINGS DATABASE V1'

GDE_EVID

Evidence supporting GDE identification

  1. Field survey
  2. Expert opinion
  3. Report
  4. Journal article
  5. Stream gauge
  6. Monitoring bore

Surface Expression GDEs (areas)

Field  name (short)

Field description

Field values explained

GDE_CLASS*

GDE class

  1. Surface ecosystems dependent on the surface expression of groundwater
  2. Surface ecosystems dependent on the sub-surface presence of groundwater
  3. Subterranean (caves and aquifers)

AQ_NAME*

Name of the source aquifer

Name of the source aquifer or aquifers

AQ_GEOL*

Broad geology type of the source aquifer

  1. Fractured rock – a network of cracks, joints, faults or other breaks in the rock that cut through the rock matrix.
  2. Cavernous (includes karstic) – caverns, cells or coarse pore spaces.
  3. Unconsolidated sedimentary – loosely arranged or un-stratified sediments, where particles are not cemented together.
  4. Consolidated sedimentary
  5. Fractured & cavernous
  6. Fractured and consolidated sedimentary
  7. Cavernous & consolidated sedimentary
  8. Unknown
  9. No data

AQ_POROSTY*

Porosity of the source aquifer. Porosity is the percentage of rock or soil that is void of material. Porosity determines available habitat and affects the rate of water flow.

  1. Primary – the spaces between grains in consolidated or unconsolidated aquifers.
  2. Secondary – the void caused by fractures.
  3. Tertiary – fractures may be enlarged by solution or other processes, creating large voids or conduits.
  4. Primary & Secondary
  5. Primary & Tertiary
  6. Secondary & Tertiary
  7. All
  8. Unknown
  9. No data

AQ_CONFIN*

Confinement of the source aquifer

  1. Unconfined – water table aquifer, receives recharge from the land surface.
  2. Confined & semi-confined aquifers – overlain by a low permeability layer, so it does not receive direct vertical recharge and is less responsive to surface conditions. Water in a confined aquifer is typically under pressure.
  3. Unknown
  4. No data

AQ_GFS*

Groundwater flow system of the source aquifer.

  1. Shallow alluvial, Local – less than 5 kilometres.
  2. Shallow alluvial, Intermediate – between 5 and 50 kilometres.
  3. Shallow alluvial, Regional – greater than 50 kilometres.
  4. Basin, Local – less than 5 kilometres.
  5. Basin, Intermediate – between 5 and 50 kilometres.
  6. Basin, Regional – greater than 50 kilometres.
  7. Bedrock, Local – less than 5 kilometres.
  8. Bedrock, Intermediate – between 5 and 50 kilometres.
  9. Bedrock, Regional – greater than 50 kilometres.
  10. Perched

GW_SALINTY*

Salinity of groundwater from the source aquifer.

  1. < 1500 mg/L TDS – Fresh
  2. 1,500 - 3,000 mg/L TDS – Brackish
  3. 3,000 - 35,000 mg/L TDS – Saline
  4. > 35,000 mg/L TDS – Hypersaline
  5. Fluctuating
  6. Stratified
  7. Unknown
  8. No data

GW_PH*

pH of groundwater from the source aquifer.

  1. < 6 – acidic
  2. 6 – 8 – neutral
  3. > 8 – alkaline
  4. Fluctuating
  5. Unknown
  6. No data

GW_RECHARG*

Dominant recharge process of the source aquifer.

  1. Infiltration (local) – flow of rainfall from less than 5 kilometres into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  2. Infiltration (distant) – flow of rainfall from greater than 5 kilometres into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  3. Inundation (local) – flow of floodwater from less than 5 kilometres into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  4. Inundation (distant) – flow of floodwater from greater than 5 kilometres into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  5. Marine through-flow – flow of marine water into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  6. Combination
  7. Palaeo – old or ancient, no current recharge sources.
  8. Unknown

GW_CONN_SP*

Spatial connectivity between the GDE and groundwater, including the type and direction of connection

  1. Connected, gaining – where a groundwater table intersects the GDE and the hydraulic gradient is towards the GDE. Common examples are stream sections where groundwater levels are above the water level in the stream, the groundwater system discharges water to the stream and as a result increases the flow in the stream.
  2. Connected, losing – where a groundwater table intersects the GDE and the hydraulic gradient is away from the GDE. Common examples are stream sections where groundwater levels are below the water level in the stream, the stream discharges water to the groundwater system.
  3. Connected, variable gaining / losing – where a groundwater table intersects the GDE and the hydraulic gradient varies temporally towards and away from the GDE.
  4. Disconnected, losing – where a groundwater table does not intersect the GDE zone and a zone of unsaturated material exists between the bed of a river and the groundwater table beneath it.
  5. Unknown
  6. No data

GW_CONN_TM*

Temporal nature of the connection between the GDE and groundwater

  1. Ephemeral – only has groundwater connection after unpredictable and rare (i.e. extreme) rainfall and runoff events.
  2. Intermittent – has groundwater connection during alternating wet and dry periods, but less frequently and/or less regularly than seasonal connectivity.
  3. Seasonal – has groundwater connection during alternating wet and dry periods on a regular basis according to season.
  4. Permanent, near permanent – has groundwater connection that may be static or flowing, with varying levels. However is predictably connected to groundwater.
  5. Unknown
  6. No data

GW_CON_T_D

Detailed temporal nature of the connection between the GDE and groundwater

  1. Ephemeral – only has groundwater connection after unpredictable and rare (i.e. extreme) rainfall and runoff events.
  2. Episodic – only has groundwater connection after unpredictable rainfall and runoff events.
  3. Intermittent – has groundwater connection during alternating wet and dry periods, but less frequently and/or less regularly than seasonal connectivity.
  4. Seasonal – has groundwater connection during alternating wet and dry periods on a regular basis according to season.
  5. Near-permanent – has groundwater connection that may be static or flowing, with varying levels. However there is a possibility that the flow could cease during long or extreme conditions (e.g. rare or non-cyclic conditions).
  6. Permanent – has groundwater connection that may be static or flowing, with varying levels. However is predictably connected to groundwater.
  7. Unknown
  8. No data

GDE_TYPE

Type of GDE

  1. Surface expression GDE
  2. Terrestrial GDE
  3. Subterranean GDE

GDE_PCT

Percentage of the polygon that is potentially a GDE

  1. Specific percentage – for example, 5, 10, 15
  2. 01-50_GDE – 1 to 50% of the polygon is potentially groundwater dependent.
  3. 51-80_GDE – 51 to 80% of the polygon is potentially groundwater dependent.
  4. 81-100_GDE – 81 to 100% of the polygon is potentially groundwater dependent.

RULE_ID

GDE mapping rule-set identifier

For example, 'EMDB_RS_03'

RULE_NAME

GDE mapping rule-set name

For example, 'Alluvia – eMDB'

RULE_PART

GDE mapping rule-set part name

For example, 'wetlands (excluding riverine regional ecosystems) on alluvia'

URL_RULE

Mapping rule-set documentation URL

For example, 'http://www.example.pdf'

GDE_D_RULE

GDE decision rule identifier. This attribute only applies to the eastern Murray-Darling Basin and Wide Bay-Burnett regions.

For example, 'WBB_DR_18'

GDE_CONF

Confidence in the groundwater dependence of the ecosystem.

  1. Known GDE
  2. Derived GDE – high confidence
  3. Derived GDE – moderate confidence
  4. Derived GDE – low confidence
  5. Unknown confidence

C_MODEL

Conceptual model name

For example, 'Alluvia'

URL_CMODEL

Conceptual model documentation URL

For example, 'http://www.example.pdf'

DATA_SRC

Principal source dataset used to delineate the GDE point, line or area

For example, '2009 WETLANDS V3',  '2009 RE V7', 'QLD SPRINGS DATABASE V1'

GDE_EVID

Evidence supporting GDE identification

  1. Field survey
  2. Expert opinion
  3. Report
  4. Journal article
  5. Stream gauge
  6. Monitoring bore

WETLAND_ID

A numeric identifier that indicated contiguous areas with the same (dissolved by) wetland class (treating lacustrine and palustrine as equivalent), hydrology modifier and catchment.

Values is > or = 0

WETLAND_AREA

Area (in hectares) of each WETLAND_ID.

Value is > 0

WETRE

Wetland regional ecosystem code.

For example, '11.3.22'

WETREPCT

Percentage of the polygon occupied by the wetland regional ecosystem. Concatenated percentages separated by a slash occur where there is more than one wetland regional ecosystem.

For example, '80/20'

WETCLASS

Wetland class (or system).

  1. R – riverine
  2. E – estuarine
  3. P – palustrine
  4. L – lacustrine
  5. M – marine
  6. - –  not a water body/wetland

WTRREGIME

Water regime modifier of the wetland polygon.

  1. WR0 – uncertain inundation
  2. WR1 – rarely inundated (20% of images)
  3. WR2 – immediately inundated (40-60% of images)
  4. WR3 – commonly inundated (80-100% of images)
  5. TI – tidally influenced (estuarine, marine systems)

HYDROMOD

Hydrological modifier of the wetland polygon.

  1. H1 – No modifications observed.
  2. H2M1 – Modified - Riverine wetlands associated with dams and weirs located in a natural channel.
  3. H2M2 – Modified - Palustrine/Lacustrine wetlands where size and/or hydrology has changed due to levee bank.
  4. H2M2p – Modified - Palustrine/Lacustrine wetlands where size and/or hydrology has changed due to levee bank and dominated by exotic pasture species.
  5. H2M3 – Modified - Palustrine/Lacustrine wetlands where size and/or hydrology has changed the water body classification from estuarine to a fresh water system.
  6. H2M3p – Modified - Palustrine/Lacustrine wetlands where size and/or hydrology has changed the water body classification from estuarine to a fresh water system and dominated by exotic pasture species.
  7. H2M4 – Modified – springs.
  8. H2M4a – Modified - springs (dormant).
  9. H2M5 – Modified - Palustrine/Lacustrine wetlands where ecological character has changed due to gross mechanical disturbance e.g. cropping.
  10. H2M6 – Modified - Palustrine/Lacustrine wetlands that have been converted, completely or mostly, to a ring tank or other controlled storage.
  11. H2M7 – Modified - Riverine wetlands that have been converted mostly to canals or irrigation channels.
  12. H2M8 – Modified - Palustrine/Lacustrine/Riverine wetlands with no obvious structures but where the local hydrology has been totally altered by irrigation activity.
  13. H3C1 – Artificial wetlands - dams, ring-tanks.
  14. H3C2 – Artificial wetlands - channel drain/canals, bore drains.
  15. H3C3 – Artificial wetlands - levee bank across a floodplain.
  16. U – Unknown
  17. - –  not a water body/wetland

SALINMOD

Salinity modifier of the wetland polygon.

  1. S1 – fresh, < 0.5 parts per thousand
  2. S2 – hypo-saline, 0.5 – 30 parts per thousand
  3. S3 – saline, > 30 parts per thousand
  4. TI – tidally influenced (estuarine, marine systems)
  5. - –  not a water body/wetland

WETSUB

Flags if the polygon has a blank wb_class and <80% of the polygon is mapped as palustrine or lacustrine wetland on the regional ecosystem mapping

  1. 0-50_RE – between 1 and 50% of the polygon is mapped as a wetland on the regional ecosystem mapping
  2. 51-80_RE – between 51 and 80% of the polygon is mapped as a wetland on the regional ecosystem mapping

SOURCE

Denotes source wetland polygon is derived from.

  1. fromMT – from multi-temporal satellite data
  2. fromWT – from wet scene satellite data
  3. manual – from manual addition to water body map
  4. modMT – from manual modification of multi-temporal satellite data
  5. modWT – from manual modification of wet scene satellite data
  6. fromRE – from regional ecosystem mapping
  7. topo – from topographic data

LEGEND

Combination of WETCLASS, SOURCE and WB_SUB to be used as wetland legend.

  1. M_WB – marine wetland system derived from water body data
  2. E_WB – estuarine wetland system derived from water body data
  3. L_WB – lacustrine wetland system derived from water body data
  4. P_WB – palustrine wetland system derived from water body data
  5. R_WB – riverine wetland system derived from water body data
  6. E_RE – estuarine wetland system derived from regional ecosystem data
  7. L_RE – lacustrine wetland system derived from regional ecosystem data
  8. P_RE – palustrine wetland system derived from regional ecosystem data
  9. R_RE – riverine wetland system derived from regional ecosystem data
  10. 01-50_RE – between 1 and 50% of the polygon is mapped as palustrine or lacustrine wetland on the regional ecosystem mapping
  11. 51-80_RE – between 51 and 80% of the polygon is mapped as palustrine or lacustrine wetland on the regional ecosystem mapping

XRE

For any polygon with source from regional ecosystem mapping (fromRE), shows all regional ecosystems present in a polygon derived from regional ecosystem data. This may include non-wetland regional ecosystems in mosaic polygons.

For example, '12.3.5/12.3.6'

XRE_PERCENT

For any polygon with source from regional ecosystem mapping (fromRE), shows the percentages of each regional ecosystem mapped as present in a polygon derived from regional ecosystem data.

For example, '80/20'

XRE_CLASS

For any polygon with source from regional ecosystem mapping (fromRE), shows the complete list of wetland systems present in a polygon derived from regional ecosystems polygons.

For example, 'P/P'

RE

Regional ecosystem code. Concatenated codes occur where there is more than one regional ecosystem, with each code separated by “/”.

For example, '12.3.5/12.3.6'

PERCENT

Percentage of the polygon occupied by each regional ecosystem. Concatenated percentages occur where there is more than one regional ecosystem.

For example, '80/20'

DBVG5M

The broad vegetation group code for use at a mapping scale of 1:5 million.

  1. 1 – rainforests, scrubs
  2. 2 – wet eucalypt open forests
  3. 3 – Eucalypt woodlands to open forests
  4. 4 – Eucalypt open forests to woodlands on floodplains
  5. 5 – Eucalypt dry woodlands on inland depositional plains
  6. 6 – Eucalypt low open woodlands usually with spinifex understorey
  7. 7 – Callitris woodland – open forests
  8. 8 – Melaleuca open woodlands on depositional plains
  9. 9 – Acacia aneura (mulga) dominated open forests, woodlands and shrublands
  10. 10 – Other acacia dominated open forests, woodlands and shrublands
  11. 11 – Mixed species woodlands – open woodlands (inland bioregions) includes wooded downs
  12. 12 – Other coastal communities or heaths
  13. 13 – Tussock grasslands, forblands
  14. 14 – Hummock grasslands
  15. 15 – Wetlands (swamps and lakes)
  16. 16 – Mangroves and saltmarshes

RE1

RE2

RE3

RE4

RE5

These fields separate the first five concatenated wetland regional ecosystem codes (WETRE) and regional ecosystem codes (RE) into five individual regional ecosystem attributes (e.g. RE1, RE2, RE3, RE4, RE5).

For example, '2.3.9a'

RE1_stem

RE2_stem

RE3_stem

RE4_stem

RE5_stem

These fields separate the first five concatenated wetland regional ecosystem codes (WETRE) and regional ecosystem codes (RE) into five individual regional ecosystem attributes (e.g. RE1_stem, RE2_stem, RE3_stem, RE4_stem, RE5_stem) where suffix letters representing vegetation communities (e.g. 'a') have been removed.

For example, '2.3.9'

Terrestrial GDEs (areas)

Field  name (short)

Field description

Field values explained

GDE_CLASS*

GDE class

  1. Surface ecosystems dependent on the surface expression of groundwater
  2. Surface ecosystems dependent on the sub-surface presence of groundwater
  3. Subterranean (caves and aquifers)

AQ_NAME*

Name of the source aquifer

Name of the source aquifer or aquifers

AQ_GEOL*

Broad geology type of the source aquifer

  1. Fractured rock – a network of cracks, joints, faults or other breaks in the rock that cut through the rock matrix.
  2. Cavernous (includes karstic) – caverns, cells or coarse pore spaces.
  3. Unconsolidated sedimentary – loosely arranged or unstratified sediments, where particles are not cemented together.
  4. Consolidated sedimentary
  5. Fractured & cavernous
  6. Fractured and consolidated sedimentary
  7. Cavernous & consolidated sedimentary
  8. Unknown
  9. No data

AQ_POROSTY*

Porosity of the source aquifer. Porosity is the percentage of rock or soil that is void of material. Porosity determines available habitat and affects the rate of water flow.

  1. Primary – the spaces between grains in consolidated or unconsolidated aquifers.
  2. Secondary – the void caused by fractures.
  3. Tertiary – fractures may be enlarged by solution or other processes, creating large voids or conduits.
  4. Primary & Secondary
  5. Primary & Tertiary
  6. Secondary & Tertiary
  7. All
  8. Unknown
  9. No data

AQ_CONFIN*

Confinement of the source aquifer

  1. Unconfined – water table aquifer, receives recharge from the land surface.
  2. Confined & semi-confined aquifers – overlain by a low permeability layer, so it does not receive direct vertical recharge and is less responsive to surface conditions. Water in a confined aquifer is typically under pressure.
  3. Unknown
  4. No data

AQ_GFS*

Groundwater flow system of the source aquifer.

  1. Shallow alluvial, Local – less than 5 kilometres.
  2. Shallow alluvial, Intermediate – between 5 and 50 kilometres.
  3. Shallow alluvial, Regional – greater than 50 kilometres.
  4. Basin, Local – less than 5 kilometres.
  5. Basin, Intermediate – between 5 and 50 kilometres.
  6. Basin, Regional – greater than 50 kilometres.
  7. Bedrock, Local – less than 5 kilometres.
  8. Bedrock, Intermediate – between 5 and 50 kilometres.
  9. Bedrock, Regional – greater than 50 kilometres.
  10. Perched

GW_SALINTY*

Salinity of groundwater from the source aquifer.

  1. < 1500 mg/L TDS – Fresh
  2. 1,500 - 3,000 mg/L TDS – Brackish
  3. 3,000 - 35,000 mg/L TDS – Saline
  4. > 35,000 mg/L TDS – Hypersaline
  5. Fluctuating
  6. Stratified
  7. Unknown
  8. No data

GW_PH*

pH of groundwater from the source aquifer.

  1. < 6 – acidic
  2. 6 – 8 – neutral
  3. > 8 – alkaline
  4. Fluctuating
  5. Unknown
  6. No data

GW_RECHARG*

Dominant recharge process of the source aquifer.

  1. Infiltration (local) – flow of rainfall from less than 5 kilometres into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  2. Infiltration (distant) – flow of rainfall from greater than 5 kilometres into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  3. Inundation (local) – flow of floodwater from less than 5 kilometres into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  4. Inundation (distant) – flow of floodwater from greater than 5 kilometres into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  5. Marine through-flow – flow of marine water into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  6. Combination
  7. Palaeo – old or ancient, no current recharge sources.
  8. Unknown

GW_CONN_TM*

Temporal nature of the connection between the GDE and groundwater

  1. Ephemeral – only has groundwater connection after unpredictable and rare (i.e. extreme) rainfall and runoff events.
  2. Intermittent – has groundwater connection during alternating wet and dry periods, but less frequently and/or less regularly than seasonal connectivity.
  3. Seasonal – has groundwater connection during alternating wet and dry periods on a regular basis according to season.
  4. Permanent, near permanent – has groundwater connection that may be static or flowing, with varying levels. However is predictably connected to groundwater.
  5. Unknown
  6. No data

GW_CON_T_D

Detailed temporal nature of the connection between the GDE and groundwater

  1. Ephemeral – only has groundwater connection after unpredictable and rare (i.e. extreme) rainfall and runoff events.
  2. Episodic – only has groundwater connection after unpredictable rainfall and runoff events.
  3. Intermittent – has groundwater connection during alternating wet and dry periods, but less frequently and/or less regularly than seasonal connectivity.
  4. Seasonal – has groundwater connection during alternating wet and dry periods on a regular basis according to season.
  5. Near-permanent – has groundwater connection that may be static or flowing, with varying levels. However there is a possibility that the flow could cease during long or extreme conditions (e.g. rare or non-cyclic conditions).
  6. Permanent – has groundwater connection that may be static or flowing, with varying levels. However is predictably connected to groundwater.
  7. Unknown
  8. No data

GDE_TYPE

Type of GDE

  1. Surface expression GDE
  2. Terrestrial GDE
  3. Subterranean GDE

GDE_PCT

Percentage of the polygon that is potentially a GDE

  1. Specific percentage – for example, 5, 10, 15
  2. 01-50_GDE – 1 to 50% of the polygon is potentially groundwater dependent.
  3. 51-80_GDE – 51 to 80% of the polygon is potentially groundwater dependent.
  4. 81-100_GDE – 81 to 100% of the polygon is potentially groundwater dependent.

RULE_ID

GDE mapping rule-set identifier

For example, 'EMDB_RS_03'

RULE_NAME

GDE mapping rule-set name

For example, 'Alluvia – eMDB'

RULE_PART

GDE mapping rule-set part name

For example, 'wetlands (excluding riverine regional ecosystems) on alluvia'

URL_RULE

Mapping rule-set documentation URL

For example, 'http://www.example.pdf'

GDE_D_RULE

GDE decision rule identifier. This attribute only applies to the eastern Murray-Darling Basin and Wide Bay-Burnett regions.

For example, 'WBB_DR_18'

GDE_CONF

Confidence in the groundwater dependence of the ecosystem.

  1. Known GDE
  2. Derived GDE – high confidence
  3. Derived GDE – moderate confidence
  4. Derived GDE – low confidence
  5. Unknown confidence

C_MODEL

Conceptual model name

For example, 'Alluvia'

URL_CMODEL

Conceptual model documentation URL

For example, 'http://www.example.pdf'

DATA_SRC

Principal source dataset used to delineate the GDE point, line or area

For example, '2009 WETLANDS V3',  '2009 RE V7', 'QLD SPRINGS DATABASE V1'

GDE_EVID

Evidence supporting GDE identification

  1. Field survey
  2. Expert opinion
  3. Report
  4. Journal article
  5. Stream gauge
  6. Monitoring bore

WETLAND_ID

A numeric identifier shared by contiguous areas with the same wetland class, hydrology modifier and catchment.

Values is > or = 0

WETLAND_AREA

Area (in hectares) of each WETLAND_ID.

Value is > 0

WETRE

Wetland regional ecosystem code.

For example, '11.3.22'

WETREPCT

Percentage of the polygon occupied by the wetland regional ecosystem. Concatenated percentages separated by a slash occur where there is more than one wetland regional ecosystem.

For example, '80/20'

WETCLASS

Wetland class (or system).

  1. R – riverine
  2. E – estuarine
  3. P – palustrine
  4. L – lacustrine
  5. M – marine
  6. - –  not a water body/wetland

WTRREGIME

Water regime modifier of the wetland polygon.

  1. WR0 – uncertain inundation
  2. WR1 – rarely inundated (20% of images)
  3. WR2 – immediately inundated (40-60% of images)
  4. WR3 – commonly inundated (80-100% of images)
  5. TI – tidally influenced (estuarine, marine systems)

HYDROMOD

Hydrological modifier of the wetland polygon.

  1. H1 – No modifications observed.
  2. H2M1 – Modified - Riverine wetlands associated with dams and weirs located in a natural channel.
  3. H2M2 – Modified - Palustrine/Lacustrine wetlands where size and/or hydrology has changed due to levee bank.
  4. H2M2p – Modified - Palustrine/Lacustrine wetlands where size and/or hydrology has changed due to levee bank and dominated by exotic pasture species.
  5. H2M3 – Modified - Palustrine/Lacustrine wetlands where size and/or hydrology has changed the water body classification from estuarine to a fresh water system.
  6. H2M3p – Modified - Palustrine/Lacustrine wetlands where size and/or hydrology has changed the water body classification from estuarine to a fresh water system and dominated by exotic pasture species.
  7. H2M4 – Modified – springs.
  8. H2M4a – Modified - springs (dormant).
  9. H2M5 – Modified - Palustrine/Lacustrine wetlands where ecological character has changed due to gross mechanical disturbance e.g. cropping.
  10. H2M6 – Modified - Palustrine/Lacustrine wetlands that have been converted, completely or mostly, to a ring tank or other controlled storage.
  11. H2M7 – Modified - Riverine wetlands that have been converted mostly to canals or irrigation channels.
  12. H2M8 – Modified - Palustrine/Lacustrine/Riverine wetlands with no obvious structures but where the local hydrology has been totally altered by irrigation activity.
  13. H3C1 – Artificial wetlands - dams, ringtanks.
  14. H3C2 – Artificial wetlands - channel drain/canals, bore drains.
  15. H3C3 – Artificial wetlands - levee bank across a floodplain.
  16. U – Unknown
  17. - –  not a water body/wetland

SALINMOD

Salinity modifier of the wetland polygon.

  1. S1 – fresh, < 0.5 parts per thousand
  2. S2 – hypo-saline, 0.5 – 30 parts per thousand
  3. S3 – saline, > 30 parts per thousand
  4. TI – tidally influenced (estuarine, marine systems)
  5. - –  not a water body/wetland

WETSUB

Flags if the polygon has a blank wb_class and <80% of the polygon is mapped as palustrine or lacustrine wetland on the regional ecosystem mapping

  1. 0-50_RE – between 1 and 50% of the polygon is mapped as a wetland on the regional ecosystem mapping
  2. 51-80_RE – between 51 and 80% of the polygon is mapped as a wetland on the regional ecosystem mapping

SOURCE

Denotes source wetland polygon is derived from.

  1. fromMT – from multi-temporal satellite data
  2. fromWT – from wet scene satellite data
  3. manual – from manual addition to water body map
  4. modMT – from manual modification of multi-temporal satellite data
  5. modWT – from manual modification of wet scene satellite data
  6. fromRE – from regional ecosystem mapping
  7. topo – from topographic data

LEGEND

Combination of WETCLASS, SOURCE and WB_SUB to be used as wetland legend.

  1. M_WB – marine wetland system derived from water body data
  2. E_WB – estuarine wetland system derived from water body data
  3. L_WB – lacustrine wetland system derived from water body data
  4. P_WB – palustrine wetland system derived from water body data
  5. R_WB – riverine wetland system derived from water body data
  6. E_RE – estuarine wetland system derived from regional ecosystem data
  7. L_RE – lacustrine wetland system derived from regional ecosystem data
  8. P_RE – palustrine wetland system derived from regional ecosystem data
  9. R_RE – riverine wetland system derived from regional ecosystem data
  10. 01-50_RE – between 1 and 50% of the polygon is mapped as palustrine or lacustrine wetland on the regional ecosystem mapping
  11. 51-80_RE – between 51 and 80% of the polygon is mapped as palustrine or lacustrine wetland on the regional ecosystem mapping

XRE

For any polygon with source from regional ecosystem mapping (fromRE), shows all regional ecosystems present in a polygon derived from regional ecosystem data. This may include non-wetland regional ecosystems in mosaic polygons.

For example, '12.3.5/12.3.6'

XRE_PERCENT

For any polygon with source from regional ecosystem mapping (fromRE), shows the percentage of all regional ecosystems present in a polygon derived from regional ecosystem data.

For example, '80/20'

XRE_CLASS

For any polygon with source from regional ecosystem mapping (fromRE), shows the complete list of wetland systems present in a polygon derived from regional ecosystems polygons.

For example, 'P/P'

RE

Regional ecosystem code. Concatenated codes occur where there is more than one regional ecosystem, separated by “/”.

For example, '12.3.5/12.3.6'

PERCENT

Percentage of the polygon occupied by the regional ecosystem. Concatenated percentages occur where there is more than one regional ecosystem.

For example, '80/20'

DBVG5M

The broad vegetation group code for use at a mapping scale of 1:5 million.

  1. 1 – rainforests, scrubs
  2. 2 – wet eucalypt open forests
  3. 3 – Eucalypt woodlands to open forests
  4. 4 – Eucalypt open forests to woodlands on floodplains
  5. 5 – Eucalypt dry woodlands on inland depositional plains
  6. 6 – Eucalypt low open woodlands usually with spinifex understorey
  7. 7 – Callitris woodland – open forests
  8. 8 – Melaleuca open woodlands on depositional plains
  9. 9 – Acacia aneura (mulga) dominated open forests, woodlands and shrublands
  10. 10 – Other acacia dominated open forests, woodlands and shrublands
  11. 11 – Mixed species woodlands – open woodlands (inland bioregions) includes wooded downs
  12. 12 – Other coastal communities or heaths
  13. 13 – Tussock grasslands, forblands
  14. 14 – Hummock grasslands
  15. 15 – Wetlands (swamps and lakes)
  16. 16 – Mangroves and saltmarshes

RE1

RE2

RE3

RE4

RE5

These fields separate the first five concatenated regional ecosystem codes (RE) and wetland regional ecosystem codes (WETRE) into five individual regional ecosystem attributes (i.e. RE1, RE2, RE3, RE4, RE5).

For example, '2.3.9a'

RE1_stem

RE2_stem

RE3_stem

RE4_stem

RE5_stem

These fields separate the first five concatenated regional ecosystem codes (RE) and wetland regional ecosystem codes (WETRE) into five individual regional ecosystem attributes (e.g. RE1_stem, RE2_stem, RE3_stem, RE4_stem, RE5_stem) where suffix letters representing vegetation communities (e.g. 'a') have been removed.

For example, '2.3.9'

Subterranean GDEs

Field Name

Field Description

Type, Width

Field Values

GDE_CLASS*

GDE class

Text, 75

  • Surface ecosystems dependent on the surface expression of groundwater
  • Surface ecosystems dependent on the sub-surface presence of groundwater
  • Subterranean (caves and aquifers)

AQ_NAME*

Name of the source aquifer

Text, 120

Name of the source aquifer or aquifers

AQ_GEOL*

Broad geology type of the source aquifer

Text, 80

  • Fractured rock – a network of cracks, joints, faults or other breaks in the rock that cut through the rock matrix.
  • Cavernous (includes karstic) – caverns, cells or coarse pore spaces.
  • Unconsolidated sedimentary – loosely arranged or unstratified sediments, where particles are not cemented together.
  • Consolidated sedimentary
  • Fractured & cavernous
  • Fractured and consolidated sedimentary
  • Cavernous & consolidated sedimentary
  • Unknown
  • No data

AQ_POROSTY*

Porosity of the source aquifer. Porosity is the percentage of rock or soil that is void of material. Porosity determines available habitat and affects the rate of water flow.

Text, 32

  • Primary – the spaces between grains in consolidated or unconsolidated aquifers.
  • Secondary – additional voids caused by fractures.
  • Tertiary – fractures may be enlarged by solution or other processes, creating large voids or conduits.
  • Primary & Secondary
  • Primary & Tertiary
  • Secondary & Tertiary
  • All
  • Unknown
  • No data

AQ_CONFIN*

Confinement of the source aquifer

Text, 40

  • Unconfined – water table aquifer, receives recharge from the land surface.
  • Confined & semi-confined aquifers – overlain by a low permeability layer, so it does not receive direct vertical recharge and is less responsive to surface conditions. Water in a confined aquifer is typically under pressure.
  • Unknown
  • No data

AQ_GFS*

Groundwater flow system of the source aquifer.

Text, 32

  • Shallow alluvial, Local – less than 5 kilometres.
  • Shallow alluvial, Intermediate – between 5 and 50 kilometres.
  • Shallow alluvial, Regional – greater than 50 kilometres.
  • Basin, Local – less than 5 kilometres.
  • Basin, Intermediate – between 5 and 50 kilometres.
  • Basin, Regional – greater than 50 kilometres.
  • Bedrock, Local – less than 5 kilometres.
  • Bedrock, Intermediate – between 5 and 50 kilometres.
  • Bedrock, Regional – greater than 50 kilometres.
  • Perched

GW_SALINTY*

Salinity of groundwater from the source aquifer.

Text, 32

  • < 1500 mg/L TDS – Fresh
  • 1,500 - 3,000 mg/L TDS – Brackish
  • 3,000 - 35,000 mg/L TDS – Saline
  • > 35,000 mg/L TDS – Hypersaline
  • Fluctuating
  • Stratified
  • Unknown
  • No data

GW_PH*

pH of groundwater from the source aquifer.

Text, 16

  • < 6 – acidic
  • 6 – 8 – neutral
  • > 8 – alkaline
  • Fluctuating
  • Unknown
  • No data

GW_RECHARG*

Dominant recharge process of the source aquifer.

Text, 32

  • Infiltration (local) – flow of rainfall from less than 5 kilometres into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  • Infiltration (distant) – flow of rainfall from greater than 5 kilometres into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  • Inundation (local) – flow of floodwater from less than 5 kilometres into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  • Inundation (distant) – flow of floodwater from greater than 5 kilometres into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  • Marine through-flow – flow of marine water into a solid substance through pores or small openings.
  • Combination
  • Palaeo – old or ancient, no current recharge sources.
  • Unknown

GW_CONN_TM*

Temporal nature of the connection between the GDE and groundwater

Text, 50

 

  • Ephemeral – only has groundwater connection after unpredictable and rare (i.e. extreme) rainfall and runoff events.
  • Intermittent – has groundwater connection during alternating wet and dry periods, but less frequently and/or less regularly than seasonal connectivity.
  • Seasonal – has groundwater connection during alternating wet and dry periods on a regular basis according to season.
  • Permanent, near permanent – has groundwater connection that may be static or flowing, with varying levels. However is predictably connected to groundwater.
  • Unknown
  • No data

GW_CON_T_D

Detailed temporal nature of the connection between the GDE and groundwater

Text, 50

  • Ephemeral – only has groundwater connection after unpredictable and rare (i.e. extreme) rainfall and runoff events.
  • Episodic – only has groundwater connection after unpredictable rainfall and runoff events.
  • Intermittent – has groundwater connection during alternating wet and dry periods, but less frequently and/or less regularly than seasonal connectivity.
  • Seasonal – has groundwater connection during alternating wet and dry periods on a regular basis according to season.
  • Near-permanent – has groundwater connection that may be static or flowing, with varying levels. However there is a possibility that the flow could cease during long or extreme conditions (e.g. rare or non-cyclic conditions).
  • Permanent – has groundwater connection that may be static or flowing, with varying levels. However is predictably connected to groundwater.
  • Unknown
  • No data

RESID_TIME*

Residence time of groundwater

Text, 120

  • Short
  • Long
  • Unknown
  • No data

SAT_REGIME*

Saturation regime

Text, 180

  • Permanent
  • Intermittent
  • Ephemeral
  • Unsaturated
  • Unknown
  • No data

GDE_TYPE

Type of GDE

Text, 32

  • Surface expression GDE
  • Terrestrial GDE
  • Subterranean GDE

GDE_CONF

Confidence in the groundwater dependence of the ecosystem.

Text, 50

  • Known GDE
  • Derived GDE – high confidence
  • Derived GDE – moderate confidence
  • Derived GDE – low confidence
  • Unknown confidence

RULE_ID

Mapping rule-set identifier

Text, 32

For example, ‘EMDB_RS_03’

RULE_NAME

Mapping rule-set name

Text, 160

For example, ‘Alluvia – eMDB’

URL_RULE

Mapping rule-set documentation URL

Text, 250

For example, ‘http://www.example.pdf’

C_MODEL

Conceptual model name

Text, 160

For example, ‘Alluvia’

URL_CMODEL

Conceptual model documentation URL

Text, 250

For example, ‘http://www.example.pdf’

GDE_EVID

Evidence supporting GDE identification

Text, 50

  • Field survey
  • Expert opinion
  • Report
  • Journal article
  • Stream gauge
  • Monitoring bore

DATA_SRC

Principal source dataset used to delineate the GDE point, line or area

Text, 250

For example, ‘2009 WETLANDS V3’,  ‘2009 RE V7’, ‘QLD SPRINGS DATABASE V1’, ‘M. Godwin 1:10,000 karst mapping, Wallace Creek Limestones, Eastern Area’

EVID_SRC

The best published reference about the karst region.

Text, 250

For example, ‘Pearson L. (1988) Mitchell-Palmer Karst A Speleological Field Guide’

DATA_SCALE

The scale of the digital mapping used to describe the mapping unit.

Double

For example, ‘100000’

ASF_NAME

The Australian Speleological Federation number and name of some of the caves in the mapping unit karst area. May also include any relevant bore numbers.

Text, 100

For example, ‘Camooweal Four Mile Cave C13’

ASF_CODE

The Australian Speleological Federation regional code used in the Karst Index Database

Text, 5

For example, ‘CH’

ASF_NUM

The Australian Speleological Federation number of the karst feature or one or more of the caves in the mapping unit area

Text, 10

For example, ‘U50’

 


Last updated: 18 December 2015

This page should be cited as:

Queensland Government, Queensland (2015) Groundwater dependent ecosystem spatial datasets and attribute fields, WetlandInfo website, accessed 18 March 2024. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/facts-maps/gde-background/gde-faq/field-descriptions.html

Queensland Government
WetlandInfo   —   Department of Environment, Science and Innovation