A paddock to reef monitoring and modelling framework for the Great Barrier Reef: paddock and catchment component

Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Carroll, Chris;Waters, David;Vardy, Suzanne;Silburn, David M.;Attard, Steve;Thorburn, Peter J.;Davis, Aaron M.;Halpin, Neil;Schmidt, Michael;Wilson, Bruce;Clark, Andrew
Abstract

Targets for improvements in water quality entering the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) have been set through the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan (Reef Plan). To measure and report on progress towards the targets set a program has been established that combines monitoring and modelling at paddock through to catchment and reef scales; the Paddock to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting Program (Paddock to Reef Program). This program aims to provide evidence of links between land management activities, water quality and reef health. Five lines of evidence are used: the effectiveness of management practices to improve water quality; the prevalence of management practice adoption and change in catchment indicators; long-term monitoring of catchment water quality; paddock & catchment modelling to provide a relative assessment of progress towards meeting targets; and finally marine monitoring of GBR water quality and reef ecosystem health. This paper outlines the first four lines of evidence.

Journal

Marine Pollution Bulletin

Publication Name

Marine Pollution Bulletin

Volume

65

ISBN/ISSN

1879-3363

Edition

N/A

Issue

4-9

Pages Count

14

Location

N/A

Publisher

Elsevier

Publisher Url

N/A

Publisher Location

N/A

Publish Date

N/A

Url

N/A

Date

N/A

EISSN

N/A

DOI

10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.11.022