Ecosystem Health Index Report

Fitzroy Basin Ecosystem Health Index Report Card

Indicators

Phys-Chem

Nutrients

Toxicants

Ecology

Trends

Confidence

very low
low
moderate
high
very high

Summary of Results for 2020-21

The overall Ecosystem Health Index for the Fitzroy Basin waterways remained a C (Fair) Grade, with a score of 61. Over 11 years of reporting the Basin condition has remained largely consistent. This indicates that despite significant on-going industry activity, a growing population and climate impacts, the regulations, policy and management practices of industry, agriculture and government are working to maintain a resilient system in the Fitzroy Basin.


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Indicators generally met desired levels. This category was graded "Good" across all 11 freshwater catchments


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Indicators had mostly "Good" grades and some "Fair" grades throughout the Fitzroy Basin. Nogoa scored a grade of "Excellent" but only had a few results from a single site.


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Indicators scored poorly in five freshwater catchments due to low macroinvertebrate taxa richness. Five catchments had no data to assess.


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Overall toxicants in the Fitzroy Basin were mainly fair to poor. This was similar to the previous year and is possibly a reflection of lower-than-average rainfall across the Basin overall.


"Providing a more complete picture of river health for the Fitzroy Basin."