Aquatic fauna and water chemistry of the mound springs and wetlands of Mandora Marsh, north-western Australia

Abstract

The Mandora Marsh system, adjacent to Eighty-mile Beach, in the northwest of Western Australia supports many mound springs as well as several other permanent and seasonal wetlands. Although listed under the Ramsar Convention, little was known of the non-waterbird ecological values of the system. A survey of the water chemistry and aquatic fauna of the wetlands and springs was conducted in October 1999, which identified a new species of fish and bathynellid syncarid, occurrence of stygofauna, as well as a relatively diverse aquatic invertebrate fauna. Overall, the aquatic fauna is of considerable conservation value. The survey also identified pressures from cattle, feral camels and possible future developments adjacent to the Marsh, which could threaten the future ecological health of these mound springs if not managed appropriately.