Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

SS05 Groundwater at Aquatic Margins (Environmental Connections)

Date: Wednesday, February 14, 2001, Time: 11:15:00 AM

Location: Cimarron

Krasnostein, A, L, Centre for Water Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia, krasnost@cwr.uwa.edu.au

Oldham, C, E, Centre for Water Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia, carolyn.oldham@itm.su.se

Sivapalan, M, , Centre for Water Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia, sivapala@cwr.uwa.edu.au

CONCEPTUAL MODELS FOR PREDICTING WETLAND WATER STORAGE

The water regime of a wetland is vital for ecosystem survival. Flora and fauna have adapted to both the seasonal and longer-term fluctuations in the water balance. Management of wetlands requires an understanding of the hydrological functioning of the system. A conceptual model has been developed to describe general wetland water regimes. The model consists of separate stores to quantify the interactions between the wetland, its riparian zone, the local groundwater and the upper catchment. It requires no calibration and only a limited knowledge of the catchment climate and properties. In its simplest form, it can be used to distinguish surface water from groundwater dominated systems. It can also be modified for specific wetland systems and used to predict changes in water storage due to changes in climate or land use. The model has been applied to Lake Dumbleyung, a large lake in the agricultural area of Western Australia. Once the hydrological functioning of wetland systems is quantified, the model output could be linked to conceptual models of vegetation density and diversity in the riparian zone. Thus, this model provides a useful tool for the management of wetlands, and their riparian zones.

This Session Listing

Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

Quicklinks