The survey documents the presence/absence of macroinvertebrate species from selected wetlands in the Namoi catchment: Integrated Monitoring of Environmental Flows (IMEF) Wetland replenishment in Namoi Wetlands. Stage 1 macroinvertebrate data 1999-2004 The Integrated Monitoring of Environmental Flows Project (IMEF) is a NSW wide scientific program established in 1998. IMEF provides ecological monitoring in relation to environmental flow rules. This in turn improves our knowledge of biodiversity and ecosystem processes in rivers and wetlands. The aim of this project is to establish relationships between wetland water regimes (flooding and drying cycles) and the diversity and abundance of wetland plants. This dataset specifically pertains to the Namoi Catchment. Note: If you would like to ask a question, make any suggestions, or tell us how you are using this dataset, please visit the NSW Water Hub which has an online forum you can join.

The survey documents the presence/absence of macroinvertebrate species from 12 x selected wetlands in the Lachlan catchment: Integrated Monitoring of Environmental Flows (IMEF) Hypothesis 7_3 catchments Invertebrate Data 2000_2001_Lachlan The Integrated Monitoring of Environmental Flows Project (IMEF) is a NSW wide scientific program established in 1998. IMEF provides ecological monitoring in relation to environmental flow rules. This in turn improves our knowledge of biodiversity and ecosystem processes in rivers and wetlands. The aim of this project is to establish relationships between wetland water regimes (flooding and drying cycles) and the diversity and abundance of wetland plants. This dataset specifically pertains to the Lachlan Catchment. Note: If you would like to ask a question, make any suggestions, or tell us how you are using this dataset, please visit the NSW Water Hub which has an online forum you can join.

The study area is the Macquarie Marshes wetlands (including the Macquarie watercourses) located approximately 180 kms north-west of Dubbo in northwest NSW. This was a study as part of the Integrated Monitoring of Environmental Flows Project (IMEF). IMEF was a NSW wide scientific program established in 1998. IMEF provided ecological monitoring in relation to environmental flow rules. This in turn improved our knowledge of biodiversity and ecosystem processes in rivers and wetlands. The aim of this project was to establish relationships between wetland water regimes (flooding and drying cycles) and the diversity and abundance of wetland plants. The survey documents the distribution and percentage cover, and abundance (no. individuals per quadrat) of vegetation species and non-plant cover along permanent 100 m transects using a 5 m x 5 m quadrat at 10 m intervals in the Macquarie Marshes. Transects were marked using permanent posts and a 100m tape measure was used to position quadrats at 10 m intervals along the transect. The taxonomy (including genus and species) and exotic/native status, and functional groups (based on habitat and life history descriptions) has been checked against Plants of Western NSW (Cunningham et al. (1981)). Over the course of the monitoring the team members undertaking the vegetation surveys varied largely. Broadly, there were three main monitoring periods, however: 2000 (Renee Kidson as lead). 2001-2006 (Chris Knight as lead) and 2008-2010 (Patrick Driver as lead). Transects possibly moved slightly between the survey periods, mostly because of some lost site information but notably at Terrigal between the Kidson and Knight phases where the transect was moved 90 degrees to the original direction, ostensibly to be perpendicular with the channel as per the original method intent which was “At each site, a single fixed transect was placed perpendicularly to the stream or channel. Each transect is 100 m long and sampled at 10 m intervals. At each 10 m interval, a 5 m x 5 m quadrat is centred. This was some distance away at some floodplain and RRG sites. This is one variation within the methods described at: There were many blanks in Chris Knight’s field sheets which he advised meant zero, not no data, so analysis needs to know that might be an issue. I (PD) think we got this sorted correctly. Dr Bruce Chessman lead the development of the field methods via a broad set of criteria were communicated at the state level. However, each valley lead developed their own set of methods that they saw suitable to the landscape and resources. For the Macquarie this was originally Renee Kidson (see Kidson et al 2012 analyses on year 2000 data). A balanced representation of site types was usually sought, and also some iconic sites. For example, the private Ramsar site Wilgara was later included by Patrick Driver. All sites required landholder approval and reasonable wet weather access. Note: Data has complex issues that the data custodian can advise on. It would be advised and advantageous to collaborate with the custodian (Patrick.driver@dpie.nsw.gov.au in the analysis of this data. Note: If you would like to ask a question, make any suggestions, or tell us how you are using this dataset, please visit the NSW Water Hub which has an online forum you can join.

IMEF (the Integrated Monitoring of Environmental Flows) Program was developed in 1998 to monitor the first environmental flow releases across the NSW regulated rivers. It was designed to both monitor the first flow events and to develop environmental flow methods suitable for monitoring aquatic systems across NSW. Data was collected until 2012 in a range of aquatic systems affected by flow from regulated rivers. The rivers included the Namoi, Macquarie, Lachlan, Murrumbidgee and their tributaries. Note: If you would like to ask a question, make any suggestions, or tell us how you are using this dataset, please visit the NSW Water Hub which has an online forum you can join.

Vegetation data collected in the Gwydir Wetlands under the IMEF program from 1999-2005 The Integrated Monitoring of Environmental Flows Project (IMEF) is a NSW wide scientific program established in 1998. IMEF provides ecological monitoring in relation to environmental flow rules. This in turn improves our knowledge of biodiversity and ecosystem processes in rivers and wetlands. The aim of this project is to establish relationships between wetland water regimes (flooding and drying cycles) and the diversity and abundance of wetland plants. This dataset specifically pertains to the Gwydir Catchment. Note: If you would like to ask a question, make any suggestions, or tell us how you are using this dataset, please visit the NSW Water Hub which has an online forum you can join.

In the Murrumbidgee valley, fifteen wetlands distributed from upstream of Wagga Wagga to downstream of Hay were chosen for study by a stratified random process. Only floodplain billabongs and palaeochannel wetlands watered by river flows were studied. Watered wetlands were monitored for water quality, wetland invertebrates, hydrology, floodplain vegetation and frog communities from 1998-2001, 2005 and 2010. This dataset specifically pertains to the Murrumbidgee Catchment. Note: If you would like to ask a question, make any suggestions, or tell us how you are using this dataset, please visit the NSW Water Hub which has an online forum you can join.

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The IMEF program generated multiple reports on program design, methodologies, and outcomes for environmental flow monitoring across NSW. Data was collected until 2012 in a range of aquatic systems affected by flow from regulated rivers. Note: If you would like to ask a question, make any suggestions, or tell us how you are using this dataset, please visit the NSW Water Hub which has an online forum you can join.