Ecological research

The SCA, in conjunction with National Parks and Wildlife Service, is developing major ecological research to address the links between water quality and ecology - in particular the impacts of access, fuel control regimes, ecosystem services, biodiversity and pest control.

A detailed project charter will be developed with National Parks and Wildlife Service under the Special Areas Strategic Plan of Management agreement.

Some of the key projects in this program will include:

• Impacts of access on water quality and ecology
  A review of the literature related to the impacts of recreational access on water quality will be conducted, and communicated to stakeholders and the community.
• Impacts of fuel control regimes on water quality and ecology An assessment is being undertaken to analyse fuel control regimes and their potential effect on water quality and ecological integrity.
• Ecosystem services valuation
  A methodolgy for determining the economic value of ecosystem services and incorporating these values into our GIS data management systems will be developed.
• Pilot biodiversity survey
  A pilot study to assess the biodiversity of fish, macroinvertebrates and riparian vegetation will be carried out to provide a scientific basis for ongoing, routine biodiversity monitoring.
• Pest control
  The SCA is currently developing a detailed experimental design to test the assumptions that underpin its current pest control strategy and regimes.