Aquatic Conservation Assessments (AquaBAMM)

DERM has developed a method for assessing conservation values of wetlands in Queensland. The Aquatic Biodiversity Assessment and Mapping Method (AquaBAMM) is a comprehensive method that identifies relative wetland conservation values within a specified study area (usually a catchment). The method is used to produce an Aquatic Conservation Assessment (ACA) of wetlands within a study area using available data including data resulting from expert opinion. The results provide a powerful decision support tool that can be comprehensively interrogated through a Geographic Information System (GIS) platform.

AquaBAMM assessments are non-social and non-economic, designed with the sole intent of identifying conservation values of wetlands at a user-defined scale. The methodology provides a robust and objective method for assessing conservation values using criteria, indicators and measures (CIM) that are founded upon a large body of national and international literature.

The results of an ACA contribute to available baseline ecological information providing a decision support tool for natural resource management and planning processes. An ACA can be used in a wide range of applications including (but not limited to):

• determining priorities for protection or rehabilitation of aquatic ecosystems
• on-ground investment in aquatic ecosystems
• local and regional planning processes
• contributing to impact assessment of large-scale development
• water resource and planning processes
• the identification of aquatic assets
• providing input to broader social and economic evaluation and prioritisation processes.

The initial methodology was developed to assess the riverine wetlands of the Burnett River catchment and is available here. However, since its inception in 2006, the method has been further developed to assess non-riverine (i.e. palustrine and lacustrine), estuarine and marine wetlands. It is intended that an ACA will eventually be conducted for all wetlands in Queensland.

ACAs have now been completed for a number of study areas within Queensland. Details of these assessments are listed below.

Aquatic Conservation Assessments

1 The Baffle Creek Riverine ACA is superseded by the Great Barrier Reef riverine and non-riverine ACA, which includes coverage of the Baffle Creek Catchment.
2 The Great Barrier Reef Study ACAs include the following catchments: Baffle, Barron, Belyando, Black, Bowen, Boyne, Burdekin lower, Burdekin upper, Burnett, Calliope, Comet, Curtis Island, Daintree, Dawson, Don, Fitzroy, Haughton, Herbert, Hinchinbrook Island, Isaac, Johnstone, Mackenzie, Mossman, Mulgrave-Russell, Murray, Nogoa, O’Connell, Pioneer, Plane, Proserpine, Ross, Shoalwater, Styx, Tully and Waterpark.
3 The Queensland Murray-Darling Basin ACA includes the following catchments: Border Rivers, Condamine/Balonne, Moonie, Nebine, Paroo and Warrego.
4 The Condamine River ACA is superseded by the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin riverine and non-riverine ACA.

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 more information please see the AquaBAMM Information sheet. Information can also be obtained by contacting: aquabamm♲derm.qld.gov.au.