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 Mooloolah reporting area, which was awarded a 2009 Report Card grade of ‘C+’, lower than its 2008 grade of ‘B’. Streams were generally in fair condition with a considerable decline in the Nutrient Cycling indicator, particularly in autumn, resulting in the decrease in grade.

The three highest scoring indices for the Mooloolah reporting area during 2008‑09 were pH (Annual Reporting Area Index Score = 1.00), GPP (1.00) and Temperature (0.98). The three lowest scoring indices for the area were δ¹⁵N (0.5), δ¹³C (0.67) and O/E₅₀ (0.68).

The assessment site yielding the highest annual score (indicating the best ecological condition) during 2008‑09 was one on Mooloolah River (site 141‑0015) with an excellent score of 0.97. The assessment site yielding the lowest annual score (indicating the worst ecological condition) during 2008‑09 was one on Mooloolah River (site 141‑0002), albeit with a very good score of 0.82. This site is located within a large area of agricultural land.

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: 223km²
• Stream network length: 322km
• Local Councils: Sunshine Coast Regional Council
• Dominant land uses: native bush, grazing, rural residential, managed forests and urban areas
• Lower estuarine reaches extensively modified for urban development and canal estates
• Ewen Maddock Dam drains into the Mooloolah River
• Riparian vegetation in the upper catchment remains in good condition

Fish

Fish species identified in Mooloolah streams