Wetlands and inner floodplains of the Macquarie Marshes

The Centre for Ecosystem Science welcomes the opportunity to provide this conservation advice on the wetlands and inner floodplains of the Macquarie Marshes and uses this submission to highlight that the Macquarie Marshes are geographically restricted and limited. There are no other wetlands in Australia providing such a combination of vegetation communities. It is the most important site for breeding waterbird rookeries in Australia both in terms of diversity and abundance (Brandis 2010). Its extent and area of occupancy is restricted. In addition, it is demonstrably threatened by hydrological disturbance and climate change along with other identified threatening processes. The evidence supports listing as endangered because of its restricted and limited distribution, given ongoing threats of climate change and cumulative impacts of water resource development in the immediate future.

Within this submission, The Centre has supplied comments and details relating to the proposed ecological community name and description detailing species assemblage and key ecological processes. It also identifies areas of the ecological community, defined by diagnostic characteristics and habitat critical to the survival of the Macquarie Marshes and provides comment on cultural significance, threats and Conservation of the ecological community currently recognised as the Macquarie Marshes. 

Further verification under each listing assessment criterion is stipulated and supported by appendices including species lists, vegetation classification references and specific flora and fauna inclusion comments again supported by extensive reference listings. 

See below for the full submission