Published Friday, 01 February, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
Free Access to Latest Wetland Maps and Management Tools
New maps and an interactive system for viewing and storing information about Queensland’s wetlands is available from today on WetlandInfo, Queensland’s most comprehensive website for wetland management.
The innovative new systems were announced today by Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, on the eve of World Wetlands Day.
The theme for tomorrow’s World Wetlands Day 2008 is ‘Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People’.
“Wetlands are much more than just swamps and mangroves,” Mr McNamara said.
“They include creeks, rivers, lakes, marine areas, bays and billabongs; all of which play a significant role in maintaining the earth’s biodiversity balance.
“Wetlands provide food, clean water, sustain our fishing, agricultural and pastoral industries, and buffer us from the effects of flooding and erosion.
“Importantly, they are a place where we relax and enjoy ourselves with activities like fishing, bushwalking, swimming and bird watching.
“The availability of the maps will allow access to details for more than 60,000 individual wetlands across the state.
“Never before have wetland managers been able to access live wetland mapping data through the internet.
“All maps are available free at: www.epa.qld.gov.au.”
WetlandInfo was developed by the Queensland Wetlands Program, a joint initiative of the Queensland and Australian governments to protect wetlands throughout Queensland.
The maps show the size, type, location, frequency of inundation (how often it the wetland has water in it) and salinity.
The Queensland Wetlands Program interactive wetland data capture project allows users to record and upload information about wetlands into a central data storage system.
Features available on WetlandInfo are:
• access maps with live data on wetlands from Cape York to Wide Bay and out to the Murray Darling at no cost
• contribute data about local wetlands, such as flora and fauna, to a central wetland inventory database
• find the latest tools for assessing, monitoring and rehabilitating wetlands
• find the latest research and science about wetlands
• download practical guides and case studies about managing wetlands
• find the latest legislation affecting the management of wetlands
• learn about wetlands through fun, interactive activities
Mr McNamara said the mapping and other projects are part of a $23 million commitment by the Queensland and Australian governments.
“In Queensland, wetlands provide essential habitat to many plants and animals and 130 freshwater fish species rely on wetlands for their entire life cycle,” Mr McNamara said..
“Wetlands - which include our rivers, creeks and marine areas – filter pollutants that would otherwise affect our coastal areas.
“They are also a nursery habitat for fish species that sustain our commercial fishing industry, and provide water for our agricultural and grazing industries.
“Functioning wetlands are particularly important in protecting the Great Barrier Reef by maintaining water quality flowing into the reef lagoon.
“The wetlands remove water-borne pollutants before they reach the reef, ensuring the health of the reef.”
Mr McNamara said that of the 40 recognised types of wetlands in Australia, Queensland has 39.
World Wetlands Day commemorates the signing of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, and celebrates our successes in wetland protection and management.
Wetlands that are of international significance are formally listed under the Ramsar Convention.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004
The innovative new systems were announced today by Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, on the eve of World Wetlands Day.
The theme for tomorrow’s World Wetlands Day 2008 is ‘Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People’.
“Wetlands are much more than just swamps and mangroves,” Mr McNamara said.
“They include creeks, rivers, lakes, marine areas, bays and billabongs; all of which play a significant role in maintaining the earth’s biodiversity balance.
“Wetlands provide food, clean water, sustain our fishing, agricultural and pastoral industries, and buffer us from the effects of flooding and erosion.
“Importantly, they are a place where we relax and enjoy ourselves with activities like fishing, bushwalking, swimming and bird watching.
“The availability of the maps will allow access to details for more than 60,000 individual wetlands across the state.
“Never before have wetland managers been able to access live wetland mapping data through the internet.
“All maps are available free at: www.epa.qld.gov.au.”
WetlandInfo was developed by the Queensland Wetlands Program, a joint initiative of the Queensland and Australian governments to protect wetlands throughout Queensland.
The maps show the size, type, location, frequency of inundation (how often it the wetland has water in it) and salinity.
The Queensland Wetlands Program interactive wetland data capture project allows users to record and upload information about wetlands into a central data storage system.
Features available on WetlandInfo are:
• access maps with live data on wetlands from Cape York to Wide Bay and out to the Murray Darling at no cost
• contribute data about local wetlands, such as flora and fauna, to a central wetland inventory database
• find the latest tools for assessing, monitoring and rehabilitating wetlands
• find the latest research and science about wetlands
• download practical guides and case studies about managing wetlands
• find the latest legislation affecting the management of wetlands
• learn about wetlands through fun, interactive activities
Mr McNamara said the mapping and other projects are part of a $23 million commitment by the Queensland and Australian governments.
“In Queensland, wetlands provide essential habitat to many plants and animals and 130 freshwater fish species rely on wetlands for their entire life cycle,” Mr McNamara said..
“Wetlands - which include our rivers, creeks and marine areas – filter pollutants that would otherwise affect our coastal areas.
“They are also a nursery habitat for fish species that sustain our commercial fishing industry, and provide water for our agricultural and grazing industries.
“Functioning wetlands are particularly important in protecting the Great Barrier Reef by maintaining water quality flowing into the reef lagoon.
“The wetlands remove water-borne pollutants before they reach the reef, ensuring the health of the reef.”
Mr McNamara said that of the 40 recognised types of wetlands in Australia, Queensland has 39.
World Wetlands Day commemorates the signing of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, and celebrates our successes in wetland protection and management.
Wetlands that are of international significance are formally listed under the Ramsar Convention.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004