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Water Quality Improvement Plans

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Water Quality Improvement Plans wetland area by system 2021
System Area (ha) % wetlands area % total area
Total 1,624,280 100.0% 3.8%
Total excluding riverine and artificial/highly modified riverine 924,732 56.9% 2.2%
Artificial and highly modified 166,014 10.2% 0.4%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 400,371 24.6% 0.9%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 3,812 0.2% 0.0%
Lacustrine (natural) 18,009 1.1% 0.0%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 20,205 1.2% 0.0%
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 32 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (natural) 252,549 15.5% 0.6%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 63,990 3.9% 0.2%
Riverine 699,299 43.1% 1.6%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (highly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 400,371 24.6% 0.9%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 3,812 0.2% 0.0%
Lacustrine (artificial) 60,413 3.7% 0.1%
Lacustrine (highly modified) 98,086 6.0% 0.2%
Lacustrine (natural) 18,009 1.1% 0.0%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 20,205 1.2% 0.0%
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 32 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (artificial) 1,680 0.1% 0.0%
Palustrine (highly modified) 5,585 0.3% 0.0%
Palustrine (natural) 252,549 15.5% 0.6%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 63,990 3.9% 0.2%
Riverine (artificial) 186 0.0% 0.0%
Riverine (highly modified) 64 0.0% 0.0%
Riverine (natural) 695,973 42.8% 1.6%
Riverine (slightly modified) 3,326 0.2% 0.0%

For definitions of artificial, highly modified, modified, slightly modified and natural wetlands, see the Queensland Wetland Mapping Method - A Method to Provide Baseline Mapping of Wetland Extent and Changes in Wetland Extent in Queensland.

Water Quality Improvement Plans wetland area by habitat 2021
Habitat Area (ha) % wetlands area % total area
Total 669,451 100.0% 1.6%
Mangroves - Casuarina 1,013 0.2% 0.0%
Mangroves - other 231,106 34.5% 0.5%
Salt marsh and salt flats 109,080 16.3% 0.3%
Arid and semi-arid saline lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake 1,559 0.2% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake 5 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake 7,697 1.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake 156 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake 4,953 0.7% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake 164 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp 34 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp 7,701 1.2% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 461 0.1% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp 17,080 2.6% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 18,172 2.7% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp 257 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp 37 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 54,566 8.2% 0.1%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp 3,247 0.5% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 53,987 8.1% 0.1%
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp 5,528 0.8% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 65,975 9.9% 0.2%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 74,383 11.1% 0.2%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp 7,660 1.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp 34 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp 3,446 0.5% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid 796 0.1% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal 351 0.1% 0.0%
Mangroves - Casuarina (natural) 1,013 0.2% 0.0%
Mangroves - Casuarina (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - other (natural) 230,817 34.5% 0.5%
Mangroves - other (slightly modified) 289 0.0% 0.0%
Salt marsh and salt flats (natural) 107,147 16.0% 0.3%
Salt marsh and salt flats (slightly modified) 1,934 0.3% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (natural) 1,559 0.2% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake (slightly modified) 5 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (natural) 6,571 1.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (slightly modified) 1,126 0.2% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (natural) 153 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (slightly modified) 4 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (natural) 4,953 0.7% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (natural) 55 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (slightly modified) 109 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (natural) 34 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (natural) 6,901 1.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 800 0.1% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 389 0.1% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 73 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (natural) 16,770 2.5% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 311 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 17,928 2.7% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 244 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 234 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 23 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (natural) 30 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (slightly modified) 7 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 53,975 8.1% 0.1%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 591 0.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 3,247 0.5% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 45,779 6.8% 0.1%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 8,208 1.2% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 4,971 0.7% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 557 0.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 56,898 8.5% 0.1%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 9,077 1.4% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 31,014 4.6% 0.1%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 43,369 6.5% 0.1%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 7,644 1.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 17 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (natural) 34 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (slightly modified) < 1 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (natural) 3,439 0.5% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (slightly modified) 7 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (natural) 778 0.1% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (slightly modified) 18 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (natural) 313 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (slightly modified) 38 0.0% 0.0%

Disclaimer

Areas do not include marine or estuarine waters but do include estuarine wetland vegetation
(e.g. mangroves and tidal flats).

All statistics are approximate and generated based on data transformed to a customised Albers equal-area projection, thus allowing wetland extent change for different regions of Queensland to be comparable.

Areas may change over time as mapping approaches improve.

Totals may not match the sum of individually displayed figures due to the rounding of displayed figures.

Wetland extent changes

Water Quality Improvement Plans wetland extent change by system
System 2021 area
(ha)
2019 area
(ha)
2017 area
(ha)
2013 area
(ha)
2009 area
(ha)
2005 area
(ha)
2001 area
(ha)
pre-clear area
(ha)
2021/pre-clear
percentage
Total 1,624,280 1,624,182 1,624,439 1,622,511 1,619,305 1,615,463 1,608,818 1,654,353 * 88.1%
Artificial and highly modified 166,014 164,960 164,474 160,664 156,469 151,495 141,383 0 n/a
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 400,371 400,493 400,501 400,903 401,105 401,261 401,503 456,421 87.7%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 3,812 3,741 3,741 3,749 3,727 3,709 3,744 0 n/a
Lacustrine (natural) 18,009 18,014 18,014 18,099 18,099 18,099 18,099 18,951 95.0%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 20,205 20,132 20,120 20,065 19,871 19,708 18,571 0 n/a
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 32 31 31 36 34 34 33 0 n/a
Palustrine (natural) 252,549 252,821 253,050 253,641 254,105 254,518 255,944 377,280 66.9%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 63,990 63,919 63,880 63,482 63,411 63,369 63,350 0 n/a
Riverine 699,299 700,071 700,628 701,872 702,484 703,273 706,190 801,702 87.2%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (highly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 400,371 400,493 400,501 400,903 401,105 401,261 401,503 456,421 87.7%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 3,812 3,741 3,741 3,749 3,727 3,709 3,744 0 n/a
Lacustrine (artificial) 60,413 59,561 59,238 56,416 52,878 48,938 43,695 0 n/a
Lacustrine (highly modified) 98,086 97,868 97,693 96,815 96,262 95,364 90,424 0 n/a
Lacustrine (natural) 18,009 18,014 18,014 18,099 18,099 18,099 18,099 18,951 95.0%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 20,205 20,132 20,120 20,065 19,871 19,708 18,571 0 n/a
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 32 31 31 36 34 34 33 0 n/a
Palustrine (artificial) 1,680 1,674 1,670 1,644 1,603 1,571 1,543 0 n/a
Palustrine (highly modified) 5,585 5,615 5,630 5,555 5,527 5,479 5,602 0 n/a
Palustrine (natural) 252,549 252,821 253,050 253,641 254,105 254,518 255,944 377,280 66.9%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 63,990 63,919 63,880 63,482 63,411 63,369 63,350 0 n/a
Riverine (artificial) 186 183 183 177 177 121 101 0 n/a
Riverine (highly modified) 64 59 59 57 22 22 18 0 n/a
Riverine (natural) 695,973 696,750 697,333 698,581 699,193 699,995 702,912 801,702 86.8%
Riverine (slightly modified) 3,326 3,322 3,295 3,291 3,291 3,278 3,278 0 n/a

* Total 2021/pre-clear percentage excludes artificial and highly modified

Water Quality Improvement Plans wetland extent change by habitat
Habitat 2021 area
(ha)
2019 area
(ha)
2017 area
(ha)
2013 area
(ha)
2009 area
(ha)
2005 area
(ha)
2001 area
(ha)
Total 669,451 669,666 669,842 670,112 670,788 671,314 672,908
Mangroves - Casuarina 1,013 1,013 1,015 1,017 1,017 1,017 1,017
Mangroves - other 231,106 231,106 231,107 231,135 231,127 231,117 231,149
Salt marsh and salt flats 109,080 109,073 109,077 109,124 109,415 109,558 109,677
Arid and semi-arid saline lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake 1,559 1,559 1,559 1,559 1,559 1,559 1,559
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake 7,697 7,697 7,698 7,697 7,697 7,697 7,697
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake 156 156 156 156 156 156 156
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake 4,953 4,953 4,953 4,953 4,953 4,953 4,953
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake 164 164 164 164 164 164 164
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp 34 34 34 34 34 34 34
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp 7,701 7,701 7,702 7,706 7,706 7,845 7,845
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 461 461 461 461 461 462 462
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp 17,080 17,093 17,099 17,101 17,111 17,114 17,128
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 18,172 18,239 18,239 18,239 18,242 18,243 18,244
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp 257 257 257 258 258 258 259
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp 37 37 37 37 37 37 37
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 54,566 54,610 54,667 54,775 54,952 55,142 55,636
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp 3,247 3,249 3,249 3,250 3,257 3,262 3,271
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 53,987 54,046 54,030 53,809 53,781 53,703 53,727
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp 5,528 5,537 5,552 5,546 5,540 5,542 5,549
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 65,975 66,011 66,093 66,451 66,558 66,632 67,345
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 74,383 74,379 74,399 74,330 74,445 74,497 74,644
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp 7,660 7,660 7,661 7,673 7,678 7,686 7,715
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp 34 34 34 34 34 34 34
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp 3,446 3,449 3,451 3,453 3,456 3,455 3,458
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid 796 796 796 796 796 796 796
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal 351 351 351 351 351 351 351
Mangroves - Casuarina (natural) 1,013 1,013 1,015 1,017 1,017 1,017 1,017
Mangroves - Casuarina (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mangroves - other (natural) 230,817 230,817 230,818 230,845 230,850 230,839 230,869
Mangroves - other (slightly modified) 289 289 289 289 277 278 281
Salt marsh and salt flats (natural) 107,147 107,210 107,214 107,261 107,562 107,705 107,786
Salt marsh and salt flats (slightly modified) 1,934 1,863 1,863 1,863 1,854 1,853 1,891
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (natural) 1,559 1,559 1,559 1,559 1,559 1,559 1,559
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake (slightly modified) 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (natural) 6,571 6,575 6,576 6,576 6,575 6,575 6,576
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (slightly modified) 1,126 1,122 1,122 1,122 1,122 1,122 1,121
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (natural) 153 153 153 153 153 153 153
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (slightly modified) 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (natural) 4,953 4,953 4,953 4,953 4,953 4,953 4,953
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (natural) 55 55 55 55 55 55 55
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (slightly modified) 109 109 109 109 109 109 109
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (natural) 34 34 34 34 34 34 34
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (natural) 6,901 6,901 6,902 6,906 6,906 6,908 6,917
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 800 800 800 800 800 937 927
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 389 389 389 389 389 389 389
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 73 73 73 73 73 73 73
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (natural) 16,770 16,782 16,789 16,791 16,811 16,814 16,828
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 311 311 311 311 300 300 300
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 17,928 17,994 17,994 17,994 17,998 17,998 18,000
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 244 244 244 244 244 244 244
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 234 234 234 236 236 236 236
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 23 23 23 23 23 23 23
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (natural) 30 30 30 30 30 30 30
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (slightly modified) 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 53,975 54,049 54,106 54,213 54,390 54,585 55,079
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 591 561 561 561 561 557 557
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 3,247 3,249 3,249 3,250 3,257 3,262 3,271
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 45,779 45,838 45,823 45,829 45,906 45,922 45,982
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 8,208 8,208 8,208 7,981 7,875 7,781 7,745
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 4,971 4,979 4,994 4,988 5,002 5,003 5,011
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 557 557 557 557 539 539 538
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 56,898 56,930 57,080 57,456 57,578 57,691 58,330
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 9,077 9,081 9,014 8,995 8,981 8,941 9,015
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 31,014 31,020 31,032 31,115 31,152 31,220 31,375
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 43,369 43,359 43,367 43,215 43,293 43,277 43,270
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 7,644 7,643 7,645 7,656 7,662 7,669 7,698
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 17 17 17 17 17 17 17
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (natural) 34 34 34 34 34 34 34
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (slightly modified) < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 0
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (natural) 3,439 3,442 3,443 3,446 3,449 3,448 3,451
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (slightly modified) 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (natural) 778 778 778 778 778 778 778
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (slightly modified) 18 18 18 18 18 18 18
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (natural) 313 313 313 313 313 313 313
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (slightly modified) 38 38 38 38 38 38 38

Disclaimer

Areas do not include marine or estuarine waters but do include estuarine wetland vegetation
(e.g. mangroves and tidal flats).

All statistics are approximate and generated based on data transformed to a customised Albers equal-area projection, thus allowing wetland extent change for different regions of Queensland to be comparable.

Areas may change over time as mapping approaches improve.

Totals may not match the sum of individually displayed figures due to the rounding of displayed figures.

Australian Land Use and Management Classification (ALUMC) metadata

Water Quality Improvement Plans land use
ALUMC code and description Area (ha) % total area
Total 42,378,058 99.4%
2.1 Grazing native vegetation 30,092,495 70.6%
2.1.0 Grazing native vegetation 30,092,495 70.6%
1.1 Nature conservation 3,899,094 9.1%
1.1.1 Strict nature reserves 51,278 0.1%
1.1.3 National park 3,480,940 8.2%
1.1.4 Natural feature protection 48,864 0.1%
1.1.5 Habitat/species management area 134 0.0%
1.1.6 Protected landscape 93 0.0%
1.1.7 Other conserved area 317,784 0.7%
2.2 Production native forests 1,855,164 4.4%
2.2.0 Production native forests 1,855,153 4.4%
2.2.1 Wood production forestry 10 0.0%
1.2 Managed resource protection 1,588,844 3.7%
1.2.0 Managed resource protection 559,575 1.3%
1.2.2 Surface water supply 55,020 0.1%
1.2.5 Traditional indigenous uses 974,249 2.3%
1.3 Other minimal use 1,559,229 3.7%
1.3.0 Other minimal use 196,165 0.5%
1.3.1 Defence 484,154 1.1%
1.3.3 Residual native cover 874,730 2.1%
1.3.4 Rehabilitation 4,179 0.0%
3.3 Cropping 891,421 2.1%
3.3.0 Cropping 607,625 1.4%
3.3.1 Cereals 117,453 0.3%
3.3.2 Beverage & spice crops 499 0.0%
3.3.3 Hay and silage 4,101 0.0%
3.3.4 Oilseeds 803 0.0%
3.3.5 Sugar 158,272 0.4%
3.3.6 Cotton 1,634 0.0%
3.3.8 Pulses 1,034 0.0%
6.5 Marsh/wetland 679,821 1.6%
6.5.0 Marsh/wetland 198,096 0.5%
6.5.1 Marsh/wetland - conservation 6,789 0.0%
6.5.2 Marsh/wetland - production 282,737 0.7%
6.5.3 Marsh/wetland - intensive use 77 0.0%
6.5.4 Marsh/wetland - saline 192,122 0.5%
4.3 Irrigated cropping 498,007 1.2%
4.3.0 Irrigated cropping 105,390 0.2%
4.3.1 Irrigated cereals 2,701 0.0%
4.3.2 Irrigated beverage and spice crops 437 0.0%
4.3.3 Irrigated hay and silage 2,488 0.0%
4.3.4 Irrigated oilseeds 311 0.0%
4.3.5 Irrigated sugar 348,183 0.8%
4.3.6 Irrigated cotton 38,490 0.1%
4.3.9 Irrigated rice 6 0.0%
5.4 Residential and farm infrastructure 309,142 0.7%
5.4.0 Residential and farm infrastructure 19 0.0%
5.4.1 Urban residential 51,943 0.1%
5.4.2 Rural residential with agriculture 49,971 0.1%
5.4.3 Rural residential without agriculture 168,157 0.4%
5.4.4 Remote communities 1,035 0.0%
5.4.5 Farm buildings/infrastructure 38,017 0.1%
6.2 Reservoir/dam 166,287 0.4%
6.2.0 Reservoir/dam 15,251 0.0%
6.2.1 Reservoir 79,770 0.2%
6.2.2 Water storage - intensive use/farm dams 67,760 0.2%
6.2.3 Evaporation basin 3,506 0.0%
3.1 Plantation forests 164,535 0.4%
3.1.0 Plantation forests 35,741 0.1%
3.1.1 Hardwood plantation forestry 20,588 0.0%
3.1.2 Softwood plantation forestry 108,090 0.3%
3.1.3 Other forest plantation 79 0.0%
3.1.4 Environmental forest plantation 36 0.0%
5.8 Mining 146,957 0.3%
5.8.0 Mining 42,364 0.1%
5.8.1 Mines 63,785 0.1%
5.8.2 Quarries 16,877 0.0%
5.8.3 Tailings 5,122 0.0%
5.8.4 Extractive industry not in use 18,810 0.0%
3.2 Grazing modified pastures 132,464 0.3%
3.2.0 Grazing modified pastures 9,414 0.0%
3.2.2 Woody fodder plants 122,927 0.3%
3.2.3 Pasture legumes 123 0.0%
6.3 River 104,485 0.2%
6.3.0 River 100,248 0.2%
6.3.1 River - conservation 4,218 0.0%
6.3.3 River - intensive use 19 0.0%
5.7 Transport and communication 66,173 0.2%
5.7.0 Transport and communication 17,422 0.0%
5.7.1 Airports/aerodromes 6,532 0.0%
5.7.2 Roads 37,605 0.1%
5.7.3 Railways 3,822 0.0%
5.7.4 Ports and water transport 305 0.0%
5.7.5 Navigation and communication 487 0.0%
4.4 Irrigated perennial horticulture 57,227 0.1%
4.4.0 Irrigated perennial horticulture 2,396 0.0%
4.4.1 Irrigated tree fruits 31,271 0.1%
4.4.2 Irrigated olives 203 0.0%
4.4.3 Irrigated tree nuts 11,980 0.0%
4.4.4 Irrigated vine fruits 500 0.0%
4.4.5 Irrigated shrub berries and fruits 3,001 0.0%
4.4.6 Irrigated perennial flowers and bulbs 4 0.0%
4.4.7 Irrigated perennial vegetables and herbs 41 0.0%
4.4.8 Irrigated citrus 5,914 0.0%
4.4.9 Irrigated grapes 1,916 0.0%
5.5 Services 44,446 0.1%
5.5.0 Services 18 0.0%
5.5.1 Commercial services 5,629 0.0%
5.5.2 Public services 7,288 0.0%
5.5.3 Recreation and culture 30,384 0.1%
5.5.4 Defence facilities - urban 781 0.0%
5.5.5 Research facilities 346 0.0%
6.1 Lake 30,336 0.1%
6.1.0 Lake 15,862 0.0%
6.1.1 Lake - conservation 1,777 0.0%
6.1.2 Lake - production 12,272 0.0%
6.1.3 Lake - intensive use 57 0.0%
6.1.4 Lake - saline 367 0.0%
4.5 Irrigated seasonal horticulture 24,720 0.1%
4.5.0 Irrigated seasonal horticulture 15,695 0.0%
4.5.1 Irrigated seasonal fruits 515 0.0%
4.5.2 Irrigated seasonal flowers and bulbs 45 0.0%
4.5.3 Irrigated seasonal vegetables and herbs 7,715 0.0%
4.5.4 Irrigated turf farming 750 0.0%
4.2 Grazing irrigated modified pastures 15,288 0.0%
4.2.0 Grazing irrigated modified pastures 10,160 0.0%
4.2.1 Irrigated woody fodder plants 5,128 0.0%
5.3 Manufacturing and industrial 12,651 0.0%
5.3.0 Manufacturing and industrial 8,579 0.0%
5.3.1 General purpose factory 84 0.0%
5.3.2 Food processing factory 911 0.0%
5.3.3 Major industrial complex 2,136 0.0%
5.3.4 Bulk grain storage 201 0.0%
5.3.5 Abattoirs 265 0.0%
5.3.6 Oil refinery 47 0.0%
5.3.7 Sawmill 340 0.0%
5.3.8 Abandoned manufacturing and industrial 87 0.0%
6.6 Estuary/coastal waters 11,422 0.0%
6.6.0 Estuary/coastal waters 11,266 0.0%
6.6.3 Estuary/coastal waters - intensive use 156 0.0%
5.2 Intensive animal production 7,620 0.0%
5.2.0 Intensive animal production 26 0.0%
5.2.1 Dairy sheds and yards 456 0.0%
5.2.2 Feedlots 1,527 0.0%
5.2.3 Poultry farms 175 0.0%
5.2.4 Piggeries 357 0.0%
5.2.5 Aquaculture 3,098 0.0%
5.2.6 Horse studs 1,349 0.0%
5.2.7 Saleyards/stockyards 354 0.0%
5.2.8 Abandoned intensive animal husbandry 278 0.0%
4.1 Irrigated plantation forests 4,192 0.0%
4.1.0 Irrigated plantation forests 2,659 0.0%
4.1.1 Irrigated hardwood plantation forestry 659 0.0%
4.1.3 Irrigated other forest plantation 874 0.0%
5.6 Utilities 3,648 0.0%
5.6.0 Utilities 10 0.0%
5.6.1 Fuel powered electricity generation 729 0.0%
5.6.2 Hydro electricity generation 7 0.0%
5.6.4 Solar electricity generation 2 0.0%
5.6.5 Electricity substations and transmission 697 0.0%
5.6.6 Gas treatment, storage and transmission 1,541 0.0%
5.6.7 Water extraction and transmission 661 0.0%
6.4 Channel/aqueduct 3,322 0.0%
6.4.0 Channel/aqueduct 2,270 0.0%
6.4.1 Supply channel/aqueduct 924 0.0%
6.4.2 Drainage channel/aqueduct 24 0.0%
6.4.3 Stormwater 103 0.0%
5.9 Waste treatment and disposal 2,638 0.0%
5.9.0 Waste treatment and disposal 929 0.0%
5.9.1 Effluent pond 243 0.0%
5.9.2 Landfill 724 0.0%
5.9.3 Solid garbage 323 0.0%
5.9.5 Sewage 420 0.0%
4.6 Irrigated land in transition 2,403 0.0%
4.6.0 Irrigated land in transition 1,008 0.0%
4.6.1 Degraded irrigated land 114 0.0%
4.6.2 Abandoned irrigated land 533 0.0%
4.6.3 Irrigated land under rehabilitation 4 0.0%
4.6.4 No defined use - irrigation 44 0.0%
4.6.5 Abandoned irrigated perennial horticulture 699 0.0%
3.6 Land in transition 1,816 0.0%
3.6.0 Land in transition 1,676 0.0%
3.6.1 Degraded land 20 0.0%
3.6.2 Abandoned land 4 0.0%
3.6.3 Land under rehabilitation 59 0.0%
3.6.4 No defined use 1 0.0%
3.6.5 Abandoned perennial horticulture 56 0.0%
3.4 Perennial horticulture 1,446 0.0%
3.4.0 Perennial horticulture 792 0.0%
3.4.1 Tree fruits 298 0.0%
3.4.2 Olives 174 0.0%
3.4.3 Tree nuts 141 0.0%
3.4.5 Shrub berries and fruits 13 0.0%
3.4.6 Perennial flowers and bulbs 3 0.0%
3.4.8 Citrus 26 0.0%
5.1 Intensive horticulture 721 0.0%
5.1.0 Intensive horticulture 165 0.0%
5.1.1 Production nurseries 195 0.0%
5.1.2 Shadehouses 215 0.0%
5.1.3 Glasshouses 118 0.0%
5.1.4 Glasshouses (hydroponic) 7 0.0%
5.1.5 Abandoned intensive horticulture 21 0.0%
3.5 Seasonal horticulture 44 0.0%
3.5.0 Seasonal horticulture 44 0.0%

Wildlife

Kingdom
Class
Native Introduced Wetland
indicator
species
Rare or
threatened
species
All
TOTAL 13,437 1,294 1,042 1,030 14,738
Animals 1,991 57 452 245 2,048
Mammals 221 20 10 46 241
Birds 667 12 103 73 679
Reptiles 415 3 37 54 418
Amphibians 127 1 43 38 128
Lobe-finned fishes 1 0 1 1 1
Ray-finned fishes 150 15 158 12 165
Cartilaginous fishes 19 0 19 7 19
Lampreys 1 0 1 1 1
Insects 369 6 80 6 375
Malacostracans 14 0 0 5 14
Arachnids 3 0 0 0 3
Snails 4 0 0 2 4
Bacteria 54 0 0 0 54
Chromists 62 0 0 0 62
Fungi 1,857 1 0 0 1,858
Plants 9,466 1,236 590 785 10,709
Protozoans 7 0 0 0 7

Note: Wildlife statistics are based on information that has been submitted to the DETSI WildNet database and converted to a 10km² grid. The grid information has been intersected with the mapping polygons to determine the species lists. Click here to view the species grid metadata.

Information from WildNet can also be accessed via Wildlife Online and WetlandMaps.

Rare or threatened includes species listed as extinct, extinct in the wild, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or conservation dependent under either the Nature Conservation Act or Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

Disclaimer: While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this product, the Queensland Government and Australian Government make no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaim all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which might be incurred as a consequence of reliance on the product, or as a result of the product being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason.

AreaType-great-barrier-reef

This page should be cited as:

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2013) Water Quality Improvement Plans — facts and maps, WetlandInfo website, accessed 8 May 2025. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/facts-maps/great-barrier-reef-water-quality-improvement-plans/

Queensland Government
WetlandInfo   —   Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation