Background

The Riverine Conceptual Models are a set of conceptual models aimed at assisting water management decision making by articulating our conceptual understanding of Queensland’s freshwater riverine ecosystems. It provides a useful spatial framework within which to assess ecological data and information required for natural resource management. The specific objectives of the Riverine Conceptual Models are to:

• identify the key freshwater aquatic systems represented in the state;
• identify the key ecological issues and key stressors; and
• identify the linkages between the key stressors (drivers) and each ecological consequence (conceptual model or quantitative ecological model), and from this provide information on which drivers are most sensitive to management or controls.

Queensland's freshwater ecosystems are highly variable and subject to diverse and system-unique natural and anthropogenic processes. Consequently, the conceptual frameworks presented here are broadscale and ecosystem-based and ultimately will contain issue-oriented information, thereby recognising that environmental processes and human activities operate at various temporal and spatial scales. The issue-based emphasis acknowledges both natural and human-induced influences/threats to aquatic ecosystems and the responses to those disturbances.

AECM (Aquatic Ecosystem Conceptual Models - now referred to as Riverine Conceptual Models) V 1.0 focuses on the natural or 'pre-development' condition of Queensland’s freshwater ecosystems. The provincial bioregionalisation of Queensland's riverine ecosystems used provides a robust framework for assessing and reporting on a wide range of natural resource related activities including planning, management, monitoring and research. Future versions will consider the influence of flow modification and other anthropogenic stressors on them.

The Riverine Conceptual Models are a starting point towards an increased understanding and knowledge, rather than a 'final word' on how Queensland’s freshwater ecosystems function and respond to natural and anthropogenically induced disturbances. It is an evolving tool that will progressively change as more data and knowledge is incorporated. The Riverine Models are a descriptive, not a quantitative/numerical tool, although it may ultimately incorporate numerical models to address specific processes.

Regional Summary:
The following table provides a summary of regional variation in ecological processes and how they are linked to physical processes.  Refer to the text in the relevant section for more detail about the system.