Spring wetlands in seasonally arid Queensland: floristics, environmental relations, classification and conservation values
R. J. Fensham A B , R. J. Fairfax A and P. R. Sharpe AA Queensland Herbarium, Environmental Protection Agency, Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong, Qld 4066, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: Rod.Fensham@epa.qld.gov.au
Australian Journal of Botany 52(5) 583-595 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT03171
Submitted: 24 November 2003 Accepted: 14 May 2004 Published: 25 October 2004
Abstract
The vegetation and environmental setting of permanent spring wetlands are described from a survey of 269 spring complexes throughout seasonally arid Queensland. Wetlands associated with springs in the western and southern discharge areas of the Great Artesian Basin are floristically distinct from other spring wetlands. Ordination analysis suggests that the biogeographic regions and the broad geological substrates that support spring wetlands provide a meaningful representation of floristic range. An existing classificatory system that defines ‘regional ecosystems’ on the basis of the biogeographic region and broad geological substrate is adopted to define 15 spring-wetland types in seasonally arid Queensland. The conservation value of the springs is assessed by a scheme that weights plant species populations on the basis of their endemicity and isolation from other populations, demonstrating that both Great Artesian Basin and non-Great Artesian Basin springs have similar conservation values.
Acknowledgments
This project was partly funded by the Threatened Species Program, Environment Australia. The grant was administered by Brigitta Wimmer and her efficiency and patience is gratefully acknowledged. Ian Cowie is thanked for providing specimen data, Robin and Ernest Bassingthwaighte for supplying historical family records, Mike Archer for helicopter support, the landholders for allowing us access and the reviewers for valuable comments on the manuscript.
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