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 Noosa reporting area, which was awarded a 2009 Report Card grade of ‘B+’, slightly higher than its 2008 grade of ‘B’. Streams were generally in good ecological condition and there were improvements in the Physical/Chemical and Ecosystem Processes indicators during 2008‑09 that resulted in the increase in grade.

The four highest scoring indices for the Noosa reporting area during 2008‑09 were pH (Annual Reporting Area Index Score = 1.00), δ¹⁵N (1.00), GPP (1.00) and R₂₄ (1.00). The three lowest scoring indices for the area were δ¹³C (0.45), O/E₅₀ (0.52) and PET (0.74).

The assessment site yielding the highest annual score (indicating the best ecological condition) during 2008‑09 was one on Kin Kin Creek (site 140‑0003) 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 Burgess Creek (site 140‑0006) with a fair score of 0.63. This site is situated downstream of a substantial WWTP.

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: 854km²
• Stream network length: 1,505km
• Local Councils: Sunshine Coast Regional Council
• Dominant land uses: native bush, conservation area, grazing
• Headwaters/upper catchment located in Great Sandy National Park
• The Noosa River is a largely intact coastal lagoon system
• No point sources discharge into the Noosa River
• Urban areas concentrated around lower estuarine reaches and occupy less than 3% of the total catchment; extensive land clearing around the populated areas

Fish

Fish species identified in Noosa streams