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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