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

Three sites were assessed in the Pumicestone reporting area, which was awarded a 2009 Report Card grade of ‘B’, slightly lower than its 2008 grade of ‘B+’. Streams were generally in good condition with the decline in grade being due to a decline in the fish indicator alone.

The four highest scoring indices for the Pumicestone reporting area during 2008‑09 were Conductivity (Annual Reporting Area Index Score = 1.00), Temperature (1.00), GPP (1.00) and R₂₄ (1.00). The three lowest scoring indices for the area were O/E₅₀ (0.55), PET (0.61) and Proportion Alien (0.88).

The assessment site yielding the highest annual score (indicating the best ecological condition) during 2008‑09 was one on Tibrogargan Creek (site 141‑0011) with an excellent score of 0.96. The assessment site yielding the lowest annual score (indicating the worst ecological condition) during 2008‑09 was one on Coochin Creek tributary (site 141‑0014), albeit with a very good score of 0.83. While this site is located within relatively undisturbed forest, it is situated in an area of 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: 789km²
• Stream network length: 1,481km
• Local Councils: Moreton Bay Regional Council, Sunshine Coast Regional Council
• Dominant land uses: pine plantations, forestry, native bush, grazing, agriculture
• Pumicestone Passage receives inflows from numerous small creeks on the mainland and Bribie Island
• Pumicestone Passage is within the Moreton Bay Marine Park
• Tidal flushing of the southern passage from Deception Bay dominates the estuary, with a net northern movement of water through the passage
• During flood events, catchment runoff dominates water quality within the passage

Fish

Fish species identified in Pumicestone streams