Monitoring

Southern Spencer Gulf

Some slight changes at the site level where some sites increased in percentage of cover
of habitat and/or condition and others decreased but none of these were concerning.
About 60% of the marine areas surveyed were classed as Good, with the remaining 40% classed as being in Fair condition.

Tiparra, Franklin and Dutton biounits were in Good condition. In the Wardang biounit there was an improvement from Poor to Fair, with the biggest driver for the change in assessment being the improvement in reef condition since the area was last tested 5 years ago. Jussieu biounit changed slightly in status to be classed as in Fair condition, the change in status could be seen to reflect the multiple inputs into this area and that there were higher nutrients to be found in slower moving water in the bays. 

Map of sites

Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre Basin, Far North and Flinders Ranges 

A total of 22 sites were sampled, comprising 4 sites from the Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre Basin and 18 sites in the Far North and Flinders Ranges. Around 73% were classed as Good, with the remaining 27% classed as Fair. These ecosystems would also see improvement if best land management practices were widely and consistently implemented and maintained

Map of the sites: Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre | Flinders Ranges

What are Aquatic Ecosystem Condition Reports?

AECRs provide a comprehensive picture of the ecological condition of sites sampled in creeks and lakes, and rate each site on a scale from Excellent through to Very Poor using an ecological condition gradient.

Check out what data is collected and how the sites are rated in the information sheet on EPA Aquatic Ecosystem Condition Reports

How often are AECRs released?

Reports are released annually presenting assessments of sites sampled previously.

What data or information is used to create a report?

A range of biological, chemical and physical information is recorded at each sampling site including nutrients, salinity, dissolved oxygen, water temperature, algal growth, macroinvertebrate data, aquatic vegetation coverage, riparian vegetation coverage and sediment type and condition. Further information on the data collected and how it is used is provided in the information sheet EPA Aquatic Ecosystem Condition Reports.

Do other states produce similar reports?

Report cards of a similar nature have been produced in other states as a means of assessing the ecological and water quality condition of waters in their regions. Queensland and Victoria have report cards assessing the ecological and water quality condition, and New South Wales has report cards based on water quality data only.

What do the different ratings mean?

The ratings provide information on the ecological condition of each site. Sites are rated on a scale between Excellent and Very Poor using an ecological condition gradient. These ratings are explained in more detail in the information sheet EPA Aquatic Ecosystem Condition Reports.

Can I download any raw data?

Water quality measurements, habitat data and a list of macroinvertebrates found at each site is available for downloading on this website and through WaterConnect.

Are there any technical reports that explain the scientific methods?

• Methods report for the inland waters ecosystems monitoring, evaluation and reporting program
• Methods report for the nearshore marine ecosystems monitoring, evaluation and reporting program – Addendum
• Information sheet defining reference condition for South Australian streams.

Where can I find definitions for some of the words used?

A glossary has been provided with explanations and definitions of the some of the more technical terminology.