Aquatic Conservation Assessments (AquaBAMM)

The Department has developed a new and novel method to assess conservation values of wetlands in Queensland called the Aquatic Biodiversity Assessment and Mapping Method (AquaBAMM). This comprehensive method identifies relative wetland conservation values within a specified study area. The method is used to produce an Aquatic Conservation Assessment (ACA) of wetlands using available data including data resulting from expert opinion. It is a powerful decision support tool that is easily updated and simply interrogated through a GIS platform.

ACA results contribute to the baseline ecological information available to support natural resource management and planning processes. An ACA can have application in:

• determining priorities for protection or rehabilitation of aquatic ecosystems;
• on-ground investment in aquatic ecosystems;
• contributing to impact assessment of large-scale development (e.g. dams);
• water resource and strategic regional planning processes; and
• providing input to broader social and economic evaluation and prioritisation processes.

The methodology as developed for the Burnett River catchment riverine ACA is available here.

Aquatic Conservation Assessments have been completed for the following areas :-

• Burnett River catchment – riverine
• Baffle Creek catchment – riverine and non riverine
• Condamine River catchment – riverine and non riverine

The ACA results in GIS format as well the methodology and expert panel reports are available on CD. To order a copy of the CD please see here.

For further information on any aspect of AquaBAMM and the ACA results please contact: aquabamm@derm.qld.gov.au.

Last updated: 13 November 2009