Lindsay, Mulcra and Wallpolla Islands Report Card 2020–21

2020-21 Water Summary

C
Delivery of water for the environment over the past decade has helped build resilience at Lindsay, Mulcra and Wallpolla islands. While the overall health of the site declined in 2020-21, targeted water delivery to wetlands and creeks provided refuges for plants, fish and waterbirds in an otherwise dry landscape.
Overall
C Vegetation
B Waterbirds
B Fish

a simple map of Lindsay, Mulcra & Wallpolla Islands

Vegetation

C

Aims

Improve condition and maintain the extent of river red gums, black box and lignum
Improve species richness and abundance of wetland and floodplain vegetation
Limit the spread of cumbungi and other invasive weeds

Outcomes

Dry conditions and lack of a large-scale natural flooding for many years has meant that river red gum, black box and lignum are generally in poor condition.
Where water for the environment was delivered there was localised river red gum germination and growth. This is helping to maintain a viable river red gum population.
99 water responsive plant species were recorded at wetlands. 86% of species were native and 13 listed as rare or threatened in Victoria. While targets were not met, it is expected that delivery of water for the environment should help wetland plants recover and meet targets in future years.
67 water responsive floodplain plant species were recorded. 90% of species were native, with 10 listed as rare or threatened plants in Victoria. While the number of plants recorded was less than the previous year, there was slight increase in the diversity of species recorded. This increase was due to localised rainfall in the previous year providing moisture for seeds to grow.
Areas of cumbungi didn’t spread and weren’t a dominant component of the wetland community. The number of weeds at monitored sites increased slightly compared to the previous year.

Waterbirds

B

Aims

Protect and restore suitable feeding habitat to support a range of waterbird species
Protect and restore breeding habitat for colonial nesting waterbirds and non-colonial waterbirds

Outcomes

With 3 of 7 wetlands holding water over spring and autumn there was some suitable habitat in an otherwise dry landscape for a range of waterbird species.
641 waterbirds from 28 species were recorded. While overall numbers were around 35% lower than the previous year, the number of different waterbird species increased with all target species detected.
Grey teal were the most common species recorded. The hardhead and eastern great egret, species listed as vulnerable in Victoria, were also observed.
While conditions weren't suitable for colonial nesting waterbird breeding or larger scale waterbird breeding events, the banded lapwing, black-fronted dotterel and the Eurasian coot were observed breeding.

Fish

B

Aims

Improve native fish populations

Outcomes

43,545 fish from 16 species, 11 native and 5 non-native, were recorded. Numbers were 8% more than the previous year and the second highest since monitoring began in 2006.
Similar to the previous year carp gudgeon and bony herring were the most common native species recorded. Non-native eastern gambusia and carp numbers also slightly increased compared to the previous year.
Annual targets for the number of Murray cod, freshwater catfish, silver perch and Murray–Darling rainbow fish were met.
Delivery of water for the environment is providing important flowing habitat in Mullaroo Creeks for Murray cod. For the fourth year in a row Murray cod numbers improved, with a high proportion of young fish. This suggests successful breeding and that young fish are surviving to join the adult population.

9.7 GL

water for the environment delivered at this site

9.7 GL

water used at this site

0 GL

flowing back to the river system

Actions

Water for the environment delivered.

Climate conditions

Moderate - Conditions were milder compared to the previous 3 hot, dry years. River flows were around three-quarters of the long-term average.

Works

Are there works at this site?

Works in use this year?

Highlights

First Nations

Aboriginal Community, Elders and Traditional Owners and the Mallee Catchment Authority held Talk Water events to share water for environment plans for the coming year.
(Photo: Mallee CMA)

Community

Local beekeepers are benefitting from mass river red gums flowering events in areas where water for environment has been delivered over consecutive years.
(Photo: Mallee CMA)

Vegetation

Delivery of small volumes of water for the environment to areas that have not been watered in over 4 years has started the recovery of stressed river red gum and black box trees. (top image: after watering, bottom image: before watering)
(Photo: Mallee CMA)

Waterbirds

Water for the environment delivery to wetlands provided refuges for waterbirds in an otherwise dry landscape. Flocks of grey teal (front of photo) and shelducks (back of photo) were observed visiting wetlands.
(Photo: Mallee CMA)

Fish

For the first time larval, young of year (less than one year old) and juvenile freshwater catfish were all recorded. While numbers are still low and recovery slow, this suggests successful breeding and that Lindsay Mulcra Wallpolla’s creek and rivers are providing suitable habitat to support freshwater catfish survival.
(Photo: Ecology Australia)

Past reports for Lindsay, Mulcra & Wallpolla Islands

Overall

Vegetation

Waterbirds

Fish

Other

2020-21

C

B

-

2019-20

B

-

2018-19

B

-

2017-18

B

-

2016-17

B

A

B

-

2015-16

B

A

-

2014-15

-

2013-14

C

B

D

-

2012-13

D

C

B

D

-

2011-12

B

-

2010-11

C

B

-

2009-10

D

-

D

-

2008-09

D

-

D

-

2007-08

D

-

B

-

2006-07

-

Show/hide 5 oldest years

Climate conditions

Grades

Dry	Very Wet
Wet	Moderate

A

B

C

D

-

Excellent

Most (75-100%) of ecological objectives have been met

Good

More than half (50-74%) of ecological objectives have been met

Fair

Fewer than half (25-49%) of ecological objectives have been met

Needs attention

Few (0-24%) of ecological objectives have been met

Data not available

Each year, water is released into the environment depending on the climatic conditions. See the outcomes of water over time for a long-term view of how natural and released water affects the health of rivers.

Follow the science and more information

Report cards are a result of the work we and our partners do with scientists across the Basin, including site monitoring as part of The Living Murray program.

The Living Murray is a joint program funded by New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and the Commonwealth governments.

If you want to know more about our monitoring and the results — read the monitoring reports

Read The Living Murray – Icon site condition report – 10 years of ecological monitoring

Southern Connected Basin Environmental Watering Committee Reports