Action item 7.20
Progress
Complete.
Approved by decision makers.
Recommendation implemented.
That the Beetaloo Sub-basin SREBA must identify and characterise all subterranean aquatic ecosystems, with particular emphasis on the Roper River region.
Completed
Action item update
Implementation
The Aquatic Ecosystems baseline study of the Strategic Regional Environmental and Baseline Assessment included the most comprehensive assessment to date of stygofauna in any region of the Northern Territory. Stygofauna were detected in 23 of 66 groundwater bores that were sampled and at least 28 species-level taxa were detected. Combined with previous studies, the known stygofauna of the study area now conservatively stands at 38 species-level taxa. The highest diversity of stygofauna came from the Tindall Limestone in the northeast of the study area.
The data suggest stygofauna are most abundant in aquifers with a relatively shallow depth to groundwater, well-developed superficial karst features, and transmissive and interconnected saturated habitat space. Annual recharge into the aquifer may be important to stygal ecosystems to maintain suitable groundwater quality and to provide primary trophic level inputs to subterranean food webs.
More information on the Aquatic Ecosystem studies is on the DEPWS website.