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Wetland Condition Assessment Tool (WetCAT): A Condition Assessment Tool for Measuring Event Recovery and Rehabilitation in Palustrine and Lacustrine Wetlands in QueenslandSearch fields
Description and method logicMethod purposeThe Wetland Condition Assessment Tool (WetCAT) is a rapid assessment tool to measure the change in condition of lacustrine and palustrine wetlands in response to 1) an event such as a bushfire or flood, and/or 2) from the impacts of management interventions such as rehabilitation activities. WetCAT is designed to demonstrate if a project has achieved an intended outcome, typically based on rehabilitation activities within the timeframe of a project or funding cycle and is primarily focussed on biodiversity.
Summary
WetCAT implements a whole-of-system approach to assessing the condition of wetlands, and is part of the "Aquatic Ecosystem Rehabilitation Process"<https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/management/rehabilitation/rehab-process/". For the purposes of WetCAT, ‘condition’ refers to the state of a wetland and its ability to deliver services. The assessment includes a site-scale assessment of condition together with an assessment of threats at the wetland surrounding area and landscape-scale. The broader assessment of threats contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between how changes in condition at the wetland site-scale are affected by threats acting within the wetlands surrounding area and/or the landscape scale. WetCAT is designed to compare the same type of wetland (including its water regime) over time. For example, if a wetland is hydrologically modified (e.g. a ponded pasture) it needs to be compared to others of the same type, not a pre-European type.
WetCAT assessments use indicators to 1) assess impacts from an event such as bushfire/flood/drought and 2) demonstrate the outcomes of a management intervention. WetCAT uses observations and other information, such as spatial data, mapping and other evidence, to support the assessment. The techniques to score the indicators are user-defined, based on considerations such as project objectives, resourcing/funding, expertise, existing data and techniques, regional setting. The user must be able to justify the score assigned for each indicator on the data sheets explaining the causal links that underpin the indicator scores. Several indicators in WetCAT require a wetland to be compared to the condition that is understood to be normal for the wetland type in that geographic area. Normal is defined as the long-term state of a wetland based on long-term data and/or field experience but does not necessarily represent pre-European development. Therefore, WetCAT requires the user to have a good understanding of the wetlands that they are working with. The WetCAT assessment is based on indicators for five themes. These themes represent the four broad components that make up any wetland and a fifth (other) theme which includes indicators that may impact on the other four components:
The methods used to score WetCAT indicators may be direct or indirect. Examples of direct measurements of indicators includes observations of pest species in a wetland, or water quality measures taken onsite by a water probe. Examples of indirect measurements of indicators can be evidence of pugging and algal blooms. The field technique used to score the indicators (e.g. using drones, traversing the wetland, assessment from a vantage point) will need to suit regional and project settings, purposes, and challenges. It is critical that the methods used to score the indicators are recorded on the data sheets and in the Condition Assessment Monitoring Plan (CAMP - see below) to ensure consistent assessment methods are used over time for the project. Method logic
Desktop Assessment
Prior to completing a WetCAT assessment, a Condition Assessment Monitoring Plan (CAMP) needs to be developed. The CAMP is a foundational process that describes the expected outcomes of the project, including a project map, summary wetland information (e.g. wetland system/type, regional ecosystem, and wetland habitats (including hydromodifier), and expected changes for each indicator. It also serves as a record to inform others who may not have been involved in the design of the project or its assessment/monitoring approach, supporting understanding and underpinning logic for future assessments. A project map should be developed to identify project features to ensure that any assessment and monitoring is consistent over time and to make sure the critical features affecting the condition of the wetlands are considered. Features that may need to be shown on the project map include:
Field Assessment For each assessment unit:
Criteria groupings of the method
Condition indicators:
Water theme
Threats (for both wetland surrounding area- and landscape-scale) are grouped under 12 indicators:
Data requiredData on wetland mapping, regional ecosystem mapping, information on native plants and animals, groundwater dependancy, weeds and feral animals, hydrological information, threats, conservation assessments, photographic records, aerial photographs (historic), water quality, conceptual models and visual cues.
Resources requiredExpertise requiredData on wetland mapping, regional ecosystem mapping, information on native plants and animals, groundwater dependancy, weeds and feral animals, hydrological information, threats, conservation assessments, photographic records, aerial photographs (historic), water quality, conceptual models and visual cues.
Materials required
The following equipment may be required for the assessment:
Method outputsOutputs
Uses
Criteria by category
Physical and chemicalFloraFaunaEcosystem/habitatReviewRecommended userNatural resource management groups, rangers, scientists, First Nations People caring for Country. Anyone interested in understanding if a management intervention investment has been successful on-ground.
Strengths
Limitations
Case studiesLinks
References
Last updated: 24 June 2022 This page should be cited as: Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2022) Wetland Condition Assessment Tool (WetCAT): A Condition Assessment Tool for Measuring Event Recovery and Rehabilitation in Palustrine and Lacustrine Wetlands in Queensland, WetlandInfo website, accessed 30 August 2024. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/resources/tools/assessment-search-tool/wetland-condition-assessment-tool-wetcat-a-condition-assessment-tool-for/ |