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Index of Wetland Condition
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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: IWC - 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: IWC - 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: IWC - 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. Results are documented in this report: IWC - Training Information Management and Testing. 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 - 2009DSE coordinated an assessment of the condition (health) of approximately 600 wetlands of national and international significance across the state in spring and summer 2009 using the IWC method. A report summarising the results at the statewide scale is in preparation.To obtain information on the condition of the wetland assessed on your property, please contact your Catchment Management Authority (CMA) representative from the table below. Click on the name of the representative to send an email to them. Page Top Statewide assessment of wetland condition - 2010Wetland condition assessments using the IWC method at approximately 300 wetlands have commenced and will conclude in early 2011. Sites were randomly selected from the 12,000 naturally occurring non-marine influenced wetlands in Victoria. The assessments will improve our understanding of wetland condition across the state. The data will also help CMAs better target government programs and funding which can assist land managers with wetland management.For more information on these assessments, please contact the CMA representative in your region from the table below. Click on the name of the representative to send an email.
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