As in 2008, the Mooloolah estuary received a “B” grade for the 2009 Report Card.  Small reductions in the water quality indicators for the Ecological Health Index (EHI), especially for turbidity and nutrients were somewhat offset by a small increase in the BHR.  Increased freshwater runoff led to lower salinities throughout the estuary in 2008/2009 and likely contributed to the slight fall in EHI indicators.  The Mooloolah estuary did comply with QWQ guidelines for Chl–a (an EHI indicator of phytoplankton biomass) throughout 2008/2009.

The riparian assessment of the Mooloolah found extensive urbanisation and canal developments in the lower parts of the estuary.  Much of the natural habitat has been removed with extensive modifications made to the remaining portions.  Overall, 58% of the total estuarine riparian zone contains unmodified habitat with only 38% intertidal (foreground) habitat and 56% background habitat remaining unmodified on the southern bank. Much of the northern bank is contained within the Mooloolah River National Park with nearly 70% of the background habitat remaining unmodified.

Abbreviations glossary | Indicators and methods

ECOSYSTEM HEALTH INDEX (EHI)

The EHI is a measure of the proportion of a reporting zone that complied with the water quality objectives for key indicators monitored as part of the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program. The water quality objectives are defined in the South East Queensland Regional Water Quality Management Strategy (2001).

• EHI 1 = 100% of area complies with the environmental objectives.
• EHI 0 = 0% of the area complies with the environmental objectives.

BIOLOGICAL HEALTH RATING (BHR)

The Partnership's Scientific Expert Panel has endorsed a change to the BHR in 2006-07 which increase the BHR from 20% to 30% of the Report Card Grade.

The reason for the change is the implementation of the Riparian Assessment Program (RAP) which will comprise 15% of the total grade (half of the BHR). The other BHR indicators will make up the last 15%

The data from the riparian assessment is available as PDF document.