Ecosystem Health Index Report
Fitzroy Basin Ecosystem Health Index Report Card
Indicators
Phys-Chem
Nutrients
Toxicants
Ecology
Trends
Decline
Maintain
Improve
Confidence
Summary of Results for 2024-25
The overall Ecosystem Health index for the Fitzroy Basin waterways remained a B (Good). During the past 15 years of reporting, the overall grade has remained relatively stable. Report Cards give a snapshot of waterway health for the year of sampling. The results reflect interactions of climate, flow, the mobilisation of salt, nutrients and sediments in the landscape, as well as human activities, and any consequent changes to ecology over time. It is at an individual site level, where small variations in grades can be seen and related to ecosystem processes.
Associate Professor Eva Abal
Independent Science Panel Chair
Indicators generally met desired levels. This category was graded "Good" across all 11 freshwater catchments and the Fitzroy Estuary.
Nutrient indicators were mostly “Good” throughout the Fitzroy Basin. However, the Upper Dawson and the Lower Dawson were both graded as “Fair”.
Toxicant values had mostly “Fair” results throughout the Fitzroy Basin. Connors was ranked as “Good”, and the Nogoa was ranked as “Poor”.
Ecology indicators were rated as “Fair” across the Fitzroy Basin. However, the Estuary was “Poor” owing to a low score for the Barramundi recruitment indicator.
