Variations of wetland patch characteristics under different inundation levels using remotely sensed data: preliminary results from the Narran Lakes, NSW

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Title: Variations of wetland patch characteristics under different inundation levels using remotely sensed data: preliminary results from the Narran Lakes, NSW
Author(s): Murray, Orla; Rayburg, Scott; Thoms, Martin; Neave, Melissa
Abstract: Floodplain wetlands are oases in semi-arid and arid landscapes. During floods, large inundated patches are formed and the physical character of these wet patches influences the productivity of these systems. The Narran Lakes ecosystem is a RAMSAR listed wetland lhal supports a large breeding bird population when wet. There may be an association between bird breeding events and volumes of water in the system although this has not been proven. This study of the Narran floodplain wetland system in northwest New South Wales is part of a larger project of the CRC Freshwater Ecology concerned with the effects of upstream flow diversion on the ecoIoglcal functioning of the wetland. This study mapped the distribution and character of inundated patches associated with floods of different magnitudes over a ten-year period. Using nine Landsat thematic mapper (TM) images the landscape patch character of inundated areas was described in terms of general spatial variables (such as the number of patches and the mean patch size) as well as complexity. Patch character was signifIcantly related to the magnitude of the inundation event at the 0.05 level for four variables discussed in detail. The link between inundated patch characteristics and the volume of flow may have significant implications for the suitability of these patches for bird habitat.
Publication type: Conference paper
Source: Proceedings of 'Linking rivers to landscapes', the 4th Australian Stream Management Conference, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, 20-22 October 2004
Publication year: 2004
Keyword(s): Australia; Ecosystems; Floodplains; Inundation; Landscape processes; Narran Lakes; Network evolution; New South Wales; Patch character; RAMSAR; Satellite remote sensing; Wetlands
Publisher: Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment
Publisher URL: http://www.canberra.edu.au/centres/narran/resources_scientificpapers.html
Peer reviewed