Conservation and Environment

Index of Wetland Condition

The Department of Sustainability and Environment developed an Index of Wetland Condition (IWC) in November 2005 for use in Victoria. The IWC measures aspects of the wetland’s soils, water, plants and the wetland catchment. The method is designed for naturally-occurring wetlands without a marine hydrological influence. The development of the IWC and its measures (indicators) are explained in the report: Index of Wetland Condition - Conceptual framework and selection of measures. The wetland plant component of the IWC can also be used as a stand-alone method for assessing wetland vegetation condition. The method is based on a classification system that includes 127 wetland plant classes known as Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs). The method and EVCs are described in the report: Index of Wetland Condition. Assessment of wetland vegetation. Update – September 2009. This replaces earlier versions of the report published in November 2005 and March 2006. The benchmark descriptions of the IWC EVCs for wetland vegetation assessment are provided below. These are ordered by EVC number. Other methods for assessing the condition of wetlands and streams are described in the report: Index of Wetland Condition - Review of wetland assessment methods. The review summarises wetland assessment methods reported in the literature from Australia and overseas and highlights examples of how aspects of wetland assessment and monitoring have been undertaken that have most relevance to Victoria. Information on recent wetland assessment programs in Victoria and overseas is also encompassed. The review describes wetland assessment concepts and definitions, existing assessment and monitoring programs and examines indicators for assessing wetland condition. The IWC has undergone testing to determine if it measures condition consistently between different users, at different wetland types and at wetlands that range from very poor to excellent condition. This report documenting the findings of the testing program is in preparation and will be added to this page when published. The IWC was modified slightly in 2008 following the testing and a data management system developed to store and manage IWC data. An IWC wetland base maps tool produced wetland maps used with the IWC method. The maps may also be useful for other purposes. Statewide assessment of wetland condition - 2009 DSE is coordinating an assessment of the condition (health) of wetlands across the state using the IWC. Assessments have commenced and will conclude in mid December 2009. Approximately 750 wetlands have been selected for this year’s assessment. Sites were selected based on environmental, cultural and scientific values. Overall, the assessments will improve our understanding of wetland condition across the state. The data will also help Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) better target government programs and funding which can assist land managers with wetland management. Land holders may wish to obtain information on the health of wetlands on their land. In order to do so, please contact the CMA representative from the table below in your region from late December 2009 onwards. Click on the name of the representative to send an email to them.

CMA	Contact Name	Phone Number
Corangamite	Donna Smithyman	03 52329100
East Gippsland	Sean Phillipson	03 51520600
Glenelg Hopkins	Stephanie Wilkie	03 55712526
Goulburn Broken	Simon Casanelia	03 58201100
Mallee	Peter Kelly	03 50514377
North Central	Ben Goonan	03 54487124
North East	Sarah Daniell	02 60437600
West Gippsland	Michelle Dickson	1300094262
Wimmera	Mark Toomey	03 53821544

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Other uses of the IWC

Currently the IWC is being used by DSE and Catchment Management Authorities as a tool to assist wetland management. The IWC is not currently available for broader use.

IWC reports IWC Conceptual Framework and Selection of Measures (PDF - 908 Kb) IWC Review of wetland assessment methods (PDF - 523 Kb) IWC Assessment of Wetland Vegetation Update September 2009 (PDF - 1.3 MB) IWC Ecological Vegetation Class benchmarks Due to their size, the benchmarks are provided as two files. Together they cover all current EVCs. IWC EVC Benchmarks 1 to 126 (PDF - 1.8 MB) IWC EVC Benchmarks 721 to 1114 (PDF - 1.7 MB) IWC Ecological Vegetation Class Photo Guide Descriptions and photographs of IWC EVCs have been complied into a guide to assist the identification of EVCs for IWC and wetland vegetation assessments. The guide will be available at the Information Victoria Bookshop in November 2009. Further information For more information on the IWC, statewide assessment program and the use of the IWC, contact Phil.Papas@dse.vic.gov.au. Page Top