EcoH plots

Spring 2008	Autumn 2009

Previous Year Spring 2007 Autumn 2008

Change over time

Legend
		Fish indicator
		Physical/Chemical indicator
		Nutrient Cycling indicator
		Ecosystem Processes indicator
		Invertebrates indicator

A description of the indicators and methods used can be downloaded as a PDF file.

Indices

Legend

The charts show the distribution of the site scores for the catchment in a box and whisker plot. The image to the right shows the meaning of the different elements in the chart.

The number behind the charts is the number of sites with valid data. It can be less than the total number of sites in the catchment if some data could not be collected.

A description of the indicators and methods used can be downloaded as a PDF file.

Summary

Five sites were assessed in the Maroochy reporting area, which was awarded a 2009 Report Card grade of ‘C’, the same as its 2008 grade of ‘C’. Streams were generally in fair ecological condition with a substantial decrease in the Nutrient Cycling indicator being offset by small increases in all other ecological indicators.

The three highest scoring indices for the Maroochy reporting area during 2008‑09 were DO (Annual Reporting Area Index Score = 1.00), GPP (1.00) and R₂₄ (1.00). The three lowest scoring indices for the area were δ¹⁵N (0.47), O/E₅₀ (0.72) and δ¹³C (0.79).

The assessment site yielding the highest annual score (indicating the best ecological condition) during 2008‑09 was one on South Maroochy River (site 141‑0004) with a very good score of 0.87. The assessment site yielding the lowest annual score (indicating the worst ecological condition) during 2008‑09 was one on Eudlo Creek (site 141‑0007), albeit with a good score of 0.72. This site is located adjacent to the Bruce Highway and is surrounded by intensive agriculture.

Abbreviations glossary

Site scores

The scores range from 0.0 (worst) to 1.0 (best). A dash ('-') indicates that sufficient data was not available.

Flowchart for calculation of summary statistics based on site scores

Map

Click to open PDF version of the map.

Facts

• Total area: 630km²
• Stream network length: 1,481km
• Local Councils: Moreton Bay Regional Council, Sunshine Coast Regional Council
• Dominant land uses: Predominantly agriculture and urban land uses with some native bush
• Most of the catchment has been cleared for agricultural and urban uses
• Cooloolabin and Wappa dams impound streams above the South Maroochy River

Fish

Fish species identified in Maroochy streams