Wetland assessment technique Version 3.4

This method provides a basis for wetland managers to assess and monitor the health of wetlands. It is designed for a range of users with different knowledge of wetlands. However they should have knowledge of the local area, of the wetland and potential impacts on it.

Steps are provided for working through the assessment and calculating indices. Some indices are common to all wetland types and others are based on the properties and functions of the wetland type. For example the health indices for paperbark wetlands are wetland vegetation, habitat, paperbark condition and wetland establishment. For saltmarsh wetlands they are wetland vegetation, habitat, saltmarsh condition and tidal restriction and hydrology. Assessment is done along transects.

The steps are:

• Record transect details.
• Describe wetland, including wetland type.
• Assess connectivity index.
• Assess human disturbance index.
• Assess acid sulfate soils index.
• Describe wetland vegetation and assess index.
• Assess habitat index.
• Assess indexes relevant to wetland type.
• Combine indexes to give a wetland health index.

A Management Options Section is provided with prompts to identify activities which will improve wetland health. These can be used as a basis for more detailed management planning.

• To assess wetland health  using a standarised and streamlined method.

• Standardised Wetland Health Index based on indices for connectivity, human disturbance, acid sulfate soils, vegetation, wetland establishment, habitat, bank condition, water quality, and wetland type condition.

• Can be used in conjunction with GIS and databases to produce tools such as health maps and priority lists.
• As a basis for property management planning.
• To identify changes in wetland health.
• To contribute to a comparative database.
• To use as a basis for a detailed wetland management plan.
• Impact assessment.

• Does not require knowledge of plant species.
• Easy to follow.
• Has indices specific to wetland type.

• Not suitable for all types of wetlands yet.
• More guidance could be given on the sampling methodology eg number of transects to do.

The assessment is field based with field sheets providing guidance on scoring for indexes.

Survey team with knowledge of wetland and potential threats, field kit including, air photos, assessment sheets, compass, GPS, measuring tape, 1m2 quadrat, water sampling equipment and auger for peat swamps.

Time varies with the size and complexity of the wetland, especially if it has more than one wetland type.

The data needed is wetland description, proximity, roads, area, adjacent land use, human disturbance factors, observation of acid sulfate soils, vegetation diversity, species number, wetland weeds, habitat indicators, data specific to wetland type eg dead or dying trees and necrotic spots for paperbark wetlands.  Data is combination of measurements and field assessment.

Land holders, catchment managers, natural resource managers.

Golus, C., Burns, C.,  Westlake, W. & Gosling, A. (March 2007). Wetland Assessment Technique Version 3.4. WetlandCare Australia.