3.2 Riparian vegetation extent
The condition of riparian forest has declined since the 1970s ( when satellite imagery analyses were compared ) in most of the Burdekin sub-catchments ( Lymburner and Dowe , 2007 ) and currently varies greatly between catchments and sub-catchments . Significant deterioration can be seen to have occurred in the Cape Campaspe , Belyando and Suttor catchments in that period ( Lymburner and Dowe , 2007 ). Many of the sub-catchments where the condition of riparian habitat was poorest in the 2007 assessments were also associated with high rates of stream bank and gully erosion .
The loss of riparian forest since the 1970s is associated with a reduction in riparian ecosystem services that support healthy aquatic ecosystems ( e . g . stream shading , leaf litter inputs , large woody debris generation , seed bank generation ) and biodiversity ( e . g . terrestrial habitat for reptilian , mammalian , and avian species ( Lymburner and Dowe , 2007 ). The diversity of aquatic habitats and knowledge of their condition and ecology varies greatly between catchments and sub-catchments . The Upper and Lower Burdekin , and Bowen Broken Bogie catchments , where large permanent wetlands and waterholes , and perennially flowing rivers and streams are quite common , displayed the greatest diversity and ecological value of aquatic habitats in 2007 assessments ( Maughan et al . 2007 ).
Riparian forest extent is reported as part of the Paddock to Reef Program every four years , with a selection of statistics presented in Table 2 . It is estimated that 22 per cent of riparian forest in the Burdekin Region has been lost since pre-European conditions , compared to an estimate of 18 per cent for the BBB catchment ( Queensland Government , 2015 ). Note that the reporting boundaries used by the Paddock to Reef Program differ from the catchment boundaries used in the current 2016 WQIP .
Current riparian forest extent in the Bowen River is 80 per cent which is relatively high compared to other catchments in the region , and higher than the 75 per cent for the whole Burdekin Region . The estimated loss in riparian cover between 2001 and 2013 is less than 1 per cent .
In the most recent reporting period between 2009 and 2013 , it is estimated that approximately 0.1 percent ( or 128 hectares ) of riparian vegetation was lost in the BBB catchment . This is also relatively small compared to other catchments in the region ( Figure 12 ).
Table 2 . Riparian forest extent and losses in the Burdekin Region . Data supplied by D . Tindall DSITI as an output of the Paddock to Reef Program . Note that the catchment units differ from the catchments defined in this project .
Catchment
Bowen River
Burdekin region
Catchment Area ( ha )
Riparian Area ( ha )
Riparian Area (%)
Riparian Forested Area (%)
Riparian Loss : Pre- Clearing to 2013 (%)
Riparian Forest Loss : 1988- 2013 (%)
Percentage of Riparian Forest Loss (%)
2001- 2005
2005- 2009
2009- 2013
944,671 163,799 17 80 18 1.2 0.3 0.2 0.1
14,059,417 2,419,135 17 75 22 5 0.5 0.3 0.3
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