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63. Banrock Station Wetland Complex
Information in the Ecological Character Description (ECD) (Butcher et al. 2009) and the latest version of the RIS (2009) for the Banrock Station Wetland
Complex Ramsar site were reviewed to identify threats to the ecological character of the site. Terminology from these key Ramsar documents was aligned to
be consistent with the approach of the Ramsar Rolling Review (see Table 1).
The Ramsar Rolling Review uses the IUCN threat classification to standardise terminology across sites. All threat categories identified at the Banrock Station
Wetland Complex Ramsar site are listed in Table 2.
The critical components, processes and services (CPS) specified in the ECD are reproduced in Table Table 3 Threats which have the potential to change one
or more of the critical CPS within a 10 year timeframe are defined as imminent threats to the ecological character of the site (labelled IMM in Table 3).
Consultation with site managers was undertaken to ensure the correct identification of current and imminent threats (see Table 1).
A stressor model is presented to illustrate the major pathways by which imminent threats effect the critical CPS. For clarity, the model does not attempt to
show non-imminent threats, weak linkages or feedbacks. Butcher et al. (2009) included a conceptual model in the ECD which formed the starting point for the
development of the model presented below.
Table 1: Notes regarding alignment of terminology and additional information sourced from site managers to aid in the development of the sites
threat conceptual model.
Notes:
Four ecosystem services are identified as being critical:
 Supporting service: Hydrological processes
 Supporting service: Physical habitat
 Supporting service: Supports biodiversity
 Supporting service: Threatened species – Regent Parrot and Southern Bell Frog.
From the summary table of threats in section 5 of the ECD the following are identified as current or likely to occur in the next ten years:
 Natural system modification – water management use – river regulation ( 7.2)
 Natural system modification – water management use – rising saline groundwater (7.2)
 Invasive non native species – fish (8.1)
 Pollution – acid sulphate soil development (attributed to reduced inflows and exposure of sediments – threat category 7.2)
 Human disturbance – recreation and tourism, vehicle and visitor impacts (6.1)
 Agriculture and aquaculture – vineyard operations vehicle tracks and irrigation drainage (2.1)
 Climate change – temperature rise and decreasing rainfall (11.2 & 11.3)
Only four of the above are considered to have the potential to cause a change to the character of the site, river regulation, rising saline
groundwater, invasive species and climate change. ASS is not considered an imminent threat as it is believed that the wetland is able to buffer
any acid produced – only a small area of the wetland was shown to be at risk of ASS (see section 7.2 of the ECD). Recreation, tourism and
vineyard operations are not likely to lead to a change in ecological character. No imminent threats to waterbirds or geomorphology were identified.
Table 2: Major categories and subcategories of current threats for the Ramsar site.
63. Banrock Station Wetland Complex
2. Agriculture and Aquaculture
2.1 Annual & perennial non timber crops
8. Invasive & Other Problematic Species & Genes
8.1 Invasive non-native/alien species
6. Human Intrusion & Disturbance
6.1 Recreation activities
11. Climate Change & Severe Weather
11.2 Droughts
11.3 Temperature extremes
7. natural System Modification
7.2 Dams and water management/use
Geomorphology
Hydrology
IMM
IMM
Water quality
IMM
IMM
IMM
Vegetation
IMM
IMM
IMM
Birds
IMM?
Fish
IMM
IMM
Invertebrates
Supporting service: Hydrological
processes
IMM
Supporting Service: Physical
habitat
IMM
Supporting Service: Supports
biodiversity
Supporting service: Threatened
wetland species, habitats and
ecosystems
IMM
IMM
IMM
IMM
IMM
11.3 Temperature
extremes
11.2 Droughts
8.1 Invasive nonnative/alien species
7.2 Dams and water
management/use
6.1 Recreation activities
Components, Processes and
Services (CPS) (components
shaded blue, processes green,
services yellow)
2.1 Annual & perennial
non timber crops
Table 3: Matrix of all current threats against critical components, processes, and services showing those considered to be an imminent threat to
the ecological character of the Ramsar site.
Key to shapes used in conceptual model.
References:
Butcher, R., Hale, J., Muller, K., and Kobryn, H. (2009). Ecological character description for the Banrock Station Wetland Complex. Prepared for DEWHA.
63. Banrock Station Wetland Complex
7. Natural System Modifications
7.2. Dams & water management/use (river
regulation)
Increased duration of
inundation (Banrock Lagoon
permanently inundated)
Indicator: Duration of
inundation
Change in
wetland
type
11. Climate Change & Severe Weather
11.2 Droughts
Decreasing rainfall
Indicator: Rainfall
averages
Decreased frequency of
inundation (loss of small
to medium floods)
Indicator: Frequency
and depth of inundation
Hydrological
fragmentation
Component:
Hydrology
Service:
Hydrological processes,
Physical habitat – wetland
type
Disruption
of breeding
– loss of
triggers
8. Invasive & Other Problematic
Species & Genes
8.1 Invasive non-native/alien species
Decreased
health –
RRG and
Black Box
Component:
Fish
Service:
Biodiversity
Reduced
flora
diversity
Invasive species –
Carp
Indicator:
Abundance
Increased
competition
Component:
Vegetation
Service:
Biodiversity, threatened
spp, Regent Parrot
7. Natural System Modifications
7.2. Dams & water management/use (rising
saline groundwater)
Invasive species –
Gambusia
Indicator:
Abundance
Disruption of
critical life
stage
Service:
Threatened species,
Southern Bell Frog
Increased salinity
Indicator: EC in
soil and water
Decreased
health Frogs
Component:
Vegetation, water
quality
Service:
Biodiversity