Aquatic macroinvertebrates of headwater streams in the south east forests - diversity and conservation management issues

Abstract

The South East Forests National Park Draft Plan of Management states that Invertebrate taxa in the south east forests, as indeed the rest of Australia, are largely unknown (NSW NPWS 2005). A lack of scientific data creates difficulties for the ecological management of national parks and state forests in the region. This study provides data on macroinvertebrates collected from streams in the South East Forests of NSW, and assesses the management implications arising from the data. Analyses of the taxa distributions and rarity indicated that all study streams supported some taxa that were not present at other streams. At least five new species of invertebrate were collected. These results suggest that it may not be sufficient to conserve only representative habitat types. To adequately manage the South East Forests region for the conservation of biological diversity and scientific knowledge, all aquatic habitats should be protected from impacts. Aquatic habitats can be impacted by altered hydrology, reduction of water quality and sediment incursion. To avoid these impacts, this study recommends the removal of road-tostream connections such as fords through streams, and the prevention of practices that could result in accidental fires or water pollution.