A Desktop Assessment of Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems in

A Desktop Assessment of GroundwaterDependent Ecosystems in Tasmania

‘A strategic framework for statewide management and conservation of Tasmania’s freshwater

ecosystem values’

Report to the Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems Values Project

Water Development Branch

Water Resources Division

Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment

February 2004

ii

© Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment

Author:

Rolan Eberhard, Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment

Published by:

Water Resources Division

Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment

GPO Box 44

Hobart Tas 7001

Telephone: (03) 6233 6328

Facsimile: (03) 6233 8749

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.dpiwe.tas.gov.au

Citation: Eberhard, R. (2004). A Desktop Assessment of Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems

in Tasmania. Report to the Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems Values Project,

Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Hobart, Tasmania.

Cover photograph: Phreatoicid isopods from Marakoopa Cave. Photo taken by John Gooderham.

Copyright

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as an agent of the Crown, is protected by the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Other than in

accordance with the provisions of the Act, or as otherwise expressly provided, a person must not

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permission of the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment.

Disclaimer

Whilst the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment makes every attempt to ensure

the accuracy and reliability of information published in this report, it should not be relied upon as a

substitute for formal advice from the originating bodies or Departments. DPIWE, its employees and

other agents of the Crown will not be responsible for any loss, however arising, from the use of, or

reliance on this information.

A Desktop Study of Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems in Tasmania

Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems Values Project iii

Contents

Summary.......................................................................................................................1

1. Definitions.............................................................................................................2

2. Methodology .........................................................................................................2

3. Results ...................................................................................................................3

3.1. Karstlands ..........................................................................................................3

3.2. Deflation basins .................................................................................................8

3.3. Freshwater crayfish burrows..............................................................................9

3.4. Fractured and porous rock aquifers (excluding karst) .....................................10

3.5. Subsurface streams in talus and colluvium......................................................12

3.6. Groundwater Dependent Vegetation................................................................14

4. Conclusions.........................................................................................................16

5. References ...........................................................................................................16

Appendix 1. Contributors .........................................................................................21

Appendix 2. Digital maps ..........................................................................................23

Appendix 3. Classification of Karst areas................................................................27

Appendix 4. GDE point features...............................................................................33


Conservation of Freshwater Ecosystems Values Project 1

Summary

A desktop assessment of groundwater dependent ecosystems was carried out to

identify classes of ecosystem where the species composition and natural ecological

processes are determined by the permanent or temporary presence or influence of

groundwater.

It was recognised that groundwater contributes to the water balance of a vast array of

ecosystems in Tasmania, including those associated with the majority of rivers and

lakes as well as vegetation in many environmental settings. Identifying and mapping

these ecosystems entails a range of practical and theoretical difficulties, and was not a

viable objective for this project. Nevertheless, it was considered worthwhile to

identify ecosystems where groundwater plays an obvious and critical role in the water

balance of component organisms.

The following classes of feature were identified as groundwater dependent

ecosystems or features hosting groundwater dependent ecosystems:

� Karstlands (landform systems in limestone, dolomite and magnesite);

� Deflation basins (depressions formed through erosion by wind action);

� Burrows produced by freshwater crayfish (these host a characteristic faunal

assemblage);

� Porous and fractured rock aquifers (especially coastal sand aquifers);

� Subsurface streams in talus and colluvium; and

� Vegetation types associated with shallow water tables.

Examples of each class of feature were mapped digitally, although the

comprehensiveness of the data varies considerably. For example, karstlands have been

subject to considerable previous work including the preparation of a State-wide map

of karst areas and studies of the distribution and ecology of karstic groundwater fauna.

In contrast, Tasmania’s non-karstic stygofauna is virtually unknown, except for the

fortuitous discovery of depigmented crustaceans in a spring at Devonport. This is a

serious gap in our knowledge of groundwater dependent ecosystems in Tasmania and

should addressed in an integrated way as part of regional hydrogeological

assessments.



1. Definitions

In accordance with definitions proposed in Environment Australia’s discussion paper

on groundwater ecosystems (Sinclair Knight Merz Pty Ltd 2001) and the NSW

government’s Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems Policy (Department of Land &

Water Conservation 2002), this study defines a groundwater dependent ecosystem

(GDE) as an ecosystem where the species composition and natural ecological

processes are determined by the permanent or temporary presence or influence of

groundwater.

Following the Australian Natural Heritage Charter, an ecosystem is taken to mean a

dynamic complex of organisms and their non-living environment, interacting as a

functional unit (Australian Heritage Commission 2002).

Groundwater is sometimes taken to include all subsurface water as distinct from

surface water, and has been defined simply as ‘water below the earth’s surface’ (e.g.

SDAC 1996). Tasmania’s Water Management Act 1999 defines groundwater as ‘(a)

water occurring naturally below ground level; or (b) water pumped, diverted or

released into a well for storage underground.’ More conventional definitions of

groundwater refer to that part of the subsurface water that is in the saturated zone or

phreas (i.e. below the water table). The water table is taken to include perched water

tables (i.e. groundwater water resting on an impermeable layer that impedes its

downward movement). Subsurface streams flowing through natural pipes or gaps

between clasts in colluvium or talus are examples of perched water tables. This

assessment has followed the more restricted definition of groundwater.

Within its definition of a groundwater dependent ecosystem, Environment Australia

recognises a spectrum of groundwater dependency (Sinclair Knight Merz Pty Ltd

2001). At the higher end of the spectrum are ecosystems that are entirely dependent

on groundwater, where only slight changes in key groundwater attributes below or

above a threshold would result in their demise. At the other end of the spectrum are

proportionally or opportunistically forms of dependency, where changes in

groundwater level or quality can be tolerated in the short term but will cause the

ecosystem to decline and ultimately collapse if this state is prolonged excessively.

Because of the short time available to this project and our rudimentary knowledge of

the relationship between groundwater and ecosystems in Tasmania, this project

focussed on ecosystems where groundwater was considered an obvious and critical

factor in the water balance of the ecosystem. The ecosystems that were identified in

this assessment would generally be classified as entirely or highly dependent on the

spectrum of groundwater dependency proposed by Environment Australia.

2. Methodology

Relevant specialists in the fields of earth science, zoology and botany were invited to

workshops with the purpose of identifying groundwater dependent ecosystems (cf.

Hatton & Evans 1998). A paper defining groundwater dependent ecosystems and

discussing forms of groundwater dependency was circulated prior to the workshops.

Some specialists who were unable to attend the workshops were consulted

individually.



Potential groundwater dependent ecosystems identified at the workshops were

investigated through a literature review and in discussion with experts at DPIWE.

Classes of feature considered to satisfy the definition of groundwater dependent

ecosystem were then mapped digitally using various sources (see Section 3.0).

Contributors at the workshops are listed at Appendix 1.

3. Results

The following classes of feature were identified as groundwater dependent

ecosystems or features hosting groundwater dependent ecosystems:

� Karstlands (landform systems in limestone, dolomite and magnesite);

� Deflation basins (depressions formed through erosion by wind action);

� Burrows produced by freshwater crayfish (these host a characteristic faunal

assemblage);

� Fractured and porous rock aquifers (especially coastal sand aquifers);

� Subsurface streams in talus and colluvium; and

� Vegetation types associated with shallow water tables.

These are discussed in more detail below. Spatial data on the ecosystems is described

at Appendix 2.

3.1. Karstlands

3.1.1 Physical context

Karstlands develop in response to the tendency for certain rock types to dissolve in

natural waters, rather than be eroded by physical processes that dominate rock

weathering in other environments. A paucity of surface water is characteristic, as

runoff sinks rapidly underground via streamsinks, caves and internally draining closed

depressions such sinkholes. Groundwater circulation within karst aquifers (a type of

fractured rock aquifer) typically involves flow through solutionally enlarged cavities

that can act like pipes, rapidly transferring of groundwater from higher to lower points

in the catchment. For example, water that sinks underground into the cave known as

Growling Swallet on the slopes of the Mt Field massif reappears less than 24 hours

later at Junee Cave near Maydena, 9.4 km away. The high permeability of karstic

rocks has the effect of lowering the water table; however, because surface denudation

of karstic rocks generally proceeds faster than on surrounding rock types, valleys and

plains with shallow water tables are also common. This is well illustrated at valley

karsts such the Vale of Belvoir and Vale of Rasselas, where the valley floors are pock

marked by numerous ponds of varying size where sinkholes intersect the water table.

Springs are likely to occur where subsurface drainage is blocked by geological

contacts with less permeable rock types at the margins of karstlands.

Tasmania’s karstlands are developed in limestones, dolomites and to a lesser extent

magnesite. These rock types underlie about 288 000 ha or 2.3% of Tasmania’s

landmass.



3.1.2 Biota

The groundwater dependent biota of karstlands may be broadly characterised as plants

and animals that live within karst aquifers, and those that inhabit the surface

environment but rely on groundwater available at springs and karstic depressions. The

former has attracted considerable scientific interest – Tasmanian caves contain the

richest assemblage aof obligate cave dwelling species known nywhere in temperate

Australia (Doran et al. 1997). Crustaceans dominate the aquatic fauna of Tasmania’s

karst aquifers, as elsewhere in the world. Species inventories are available for many

karst areas (S. Eberhard 1988, 1999, 2000, Eberhard et al. 1991a, 1991b, Clarke 1997,

Houshold & Clarke 1998). The surface biota that relies on groundwater include the

aquatic and riparian communities of surface watercourses supplied by springs or

standing water in karstic depressions.

Where a spring discharges groundwater that is saturated with dissolved salts, a

calcareous mound or sheet may form at the spring outlet due to the deposition of

carbonates (Plate 1). These features are known as tufa (sometimes also travertine) and

often host a rich assemblage of ferns and bryophytes, including calciphiles. Barnes at

al. (2002) describe ‘tufa herbfields’ from the west and south coasts of King Island.

These occur at sites such as the spectacular Dripping Wells at Boggy Creek (Jennings

1956). Trampling by stock threatens the integrity of these coastal tufas. Karstic

depressions subject to intermittent flooding by groundwater are likely to show

characteristic vegetation, such as the grasslands at Circular Ponds at Mayberry (Plate

2) or Blackwood swamp forest at Dismal Swamp near Smithton.

3.1.3 Spatial data

A digital map of Tasmania’s karst areas known as the Tasmanian Karst Atlas Version

2 has been prepared by Sharples (2003), following an earlier version based on

Kiernan (1995). The Karst Atlas Version 2 was updated for this project by digitising

some missing catchment boundaries and the addition of a classification of karst

systems based on their geological, topographic and climatic setting (Appendix 3).

In addition to the map of karst areas (Taskarst.shp), some specific karst landforms of

interest in relation groundwater ecosystems have been mapped as point localities

(GDE points.shp). The point localities cover the following classes of feature:

� Cold springs (karstic) – springs (often at cave entrances) where water

temperature is unaffected by geothermal heating (178 sites);

� Warm springs – springs where the water temperature has been raised through

geothermal heating (8 sites);

� Tufa-depositing springs – spring where calcareous material (tufa) has been

deposited by groundwater (54 sites);

� Mound springs – a tufa-depositing spring where the calcareous material is

deposited by groundwater under pressure to produce a raised mound or hillock

(7 sites);

� Karst depressions – enclosed depression subject to perennial of intermittent

flooding by groundwater (54 sites).



Plate 1 Tufa-depositing spring, Fossil Cliffs, Maria Island. The feature is about 10 m high.

It should be noted that warm springs and mound springs are not exclusively karst

features; however, all known examples from Tasmania are karstic.

While karst depressions are a ubiquitous feature of many of Tasmania’s karstlands,

the examples mapped in this study are larger examples that show evidence of flooding

by groundwater. The sites range from perennial features such as perennial lakes such

as Lake Sydney, Lake Timk and Lake Chisholm (the first two produced by the

interaction of karst and glacial processes), to intermittently flooded depressions such

as Dismal Swamp or Circular Ponds. The sites do not include flooded karst

depressions reported at Mt Cripps (Gray & Heap 1986), as location data was not

readily available, or some sites in the southwest (e.g. Maxwell River, Algonkian

Rivulet, Vale of Rasselas).



Note: Many of the springs mapped as point localities are cave entrances. In the

interests of cave conservation and public safety, this information should be considered

sensitive and not made generally available.

Plate 2. South Circular Ponds, Mayberry, in dry and wet conditions. Groundwater floods into the

depression from an underlying cave system.



3.1.4 Conservation priorities

Conservation priorities for karst in Tasmania are discussed by Kiernan (1997) and the

Interdepartmental Technical Working Working Group on Karst Conservation (1998).

Recommendations made in these reports are based primarily on geoconservation

criteria, but will be relevant for the conservation of groundwater dependent

ecosystems because the geoconservation priorities focus on highly karstified areas

which are rich in groundwater dependent ecosystems.

Significant developments since the above reports were published include:

� Investigations at Mole Creek in 2000-2003 indicate that the Kiernan’s

recommended areas for protection KR-13E and F should be extended to take

in a larger area of State forest between Urks Loop Rd and Marakoopa Cave.

This area is now known to contribute water to Marakoopa Cave and Kubla

Khan Cave, which contain rich assemblages of cave dwelling invertebrates

including rare and threatened species (Eberhard 2000, PWS 1994, DPIWE

2001). The forest is zoned for production under Forestry Tasmania’s

Management Decision Classification system.

� Further evidence concerning the significance of runoff from State forest on the

northern side of the Liena Rd to the groundwater system at Kubla Khan Cave.

The area in question encompasses the catchment of two creeks that cross the

Liena Rd at 388996 and 398002 (AGD66 datum). The creeks, which drain the

northern slopes of Solomons Dome and Standard Hill, are major tributaries to

Kubla Khan Cave. This forest is also zoned for production.

� The discovery in 2002 of the outstanding Shooting Star Cave, in the Croesus

Cave area at Mole Creek, reinforces the significance and sensitivity of the

Mill-Kansas catchment (Kiernan’s KR-13D). This area is State forest that has

been classified as conditional (decision on logging deferred). A range of

obligate cave-dwelling species have been recorded from caves in this area

(Eberhard 2000).

� Some of the areas recommended for protection have now been reserved or

covenanted. These include: Mostyn Hardy Cave (Kiernan’s KR-11E), Gunns

Plains Cave (part of Kiernan’s KR-10), Kubla Khan Efflux (part of Kiernan’s

KR-13J/K), Mersey Hill Cave (part of Kiernan’s KR-13L), Westmoreland

Cave (part of Kiernan’s site KR-13A), Montagu Caves (Kiernan’s KR-02),

Dogs Head Hill (Kiernan’s KR-13M), Mt Cripps (Kiernan’s KR-17) and

Dismal Swamp (Kiernan’s KR-05). The reserve status of some of these areas

does not preclude limestone mining, a potential threat to groundwater

dependent ecosystems.

Karst in State forest in the Junee River catchment on the western slopes of the Mt

Field massif (Kiernan’s KR-23) contains a nationally significant karst system with a

rich groundwater dependent cave fauna (Eberhard 1994, Eberhard et al. 1991, Clarke

1997, PWS 2002). An extension to the boundary of the Mt Field National Park to

more adequately protect this karst system should be a priority.

As warm springs and mound springs are rare in Tasmania, all examples are significant

for conservation. Major warm springs at Hastings and Kimberley have been

extensively modified. However, a large and essentially undisturbed spring exists on

the Lune Plain (Clarke 1990).



Tasmania’s most impressive mound springs occur in the Smithton area. The majority

appears to be located in cleared agricultural land, where they have been quarried or

otherwise modified. A project to map the mound springs and identify any intact (or

least modified) examples would be valuable.

3.2. Deflation basins


Deflation basins are an aeolian landform i.e. produced through the action of wind.

Dixon (1997) provides the following description:

Deflation basins (also known as pans) are basins, which may vary greatly in size

and depth, from which erodible material has been removed by wind action. This

implies sparse vegetative cover, competent winds and sandy or clayey soils at the

time of formation (and hence suggests arid conditions, at least in the past). The

basins are shallow, often irregular in shape and do not necessarily have any

associated dunes (Timms 1992), although lunettes and/or sand sheets may occur

in association… The base of a fully developed deflation basin is often at the

water table as wet sand is less readily erodible and hence may form ephemeral

lakes (Bradbury 1994). It is unclear exactly what initiates the deflation process,

however in some cases they may originate in pre-existing depressions and valleys

adjacent to a floodplain (Timms 1992), or perhaps dryland salting may have a

role in initiating deflation.

Under current climatic conditions deflation basins range from perennial water-filled to

swampy or dry for extended periods. The role of groundwater within the water

balance of specific basins has not been the studied quantitatively but is likely to be

significant in many cases. An examination of borehole data held by Mineral

Resources Tasmania indicates that the water table is very shallow (a couple of metres

or less) in the vicinity of many of the Midlands deflation basins. A number of

deflation basins in the Tunbridge area contain saline water, presumably due at least in

part to salts in the groundwater (S. Blackwell pers. comm.). Examples include Mona

Vale Saltpan, Glenmorey Saltpan, Grimes Lagoon, Folley Lagoon and Township

Lagoon. Grimes Lagoon was the site of an early salt mining operation.

Dixon (1997) identified major examples of deflation basins in the Central Plateau,

Midlands, South Arm and Cape Portland areas. The area around Lake Ada and Lake

Augusta comprises the principal cluster of deflation basins on the Central Plaeau

(Bradbury 1994). The area around Tunbridge and Ellinthorpe Plains contains the most

extensive and best developed assemblage of aeolian landforms including deflation

basins in the Midlands (Dixon 1997). Ellinthorpe Plains comprises 19 large and small

deflation basins within an area of about 20 km2. Many of the basins are bounded clay-

rich lunettes (crescent-shaped dunes) and associated sand sheets. Ellinthorpe Plains is

noteworthy also in that the aeolian landforms remain in relatively good condition. The

Rushy-Mygunyah Lagoons deflation basins and lunette complex form part of an

extensive aeolian landform system around Cape Portland. These features have been

subject to considerable disturbance due to land clearance and, stocking and drainage

works.



3.2.2 Biota

Wetlands associated with deflation basins vary from freshwater to brackish to very

saline and support different vegetation depending on salinity levels (Kirkpatrick &

Tyler 1987, Kirkpatrick & Harwood 1981, ANCA 1996). In general the vegetation is

characterised by saline and freshwater herbfields, poa dominated grasslands, and

rushlands (L. Gilfedder pers. comm.). The native vegetation at some sites has been

completely lost e.g. Grimes Lagoon, which is used for growing potatoes.

The fauna of saline sites is particularly interesting, comprising a ‘soup’ dominated by

copepods, ostracods and cladocerans (de Dekker & Williams 1982). Barr Lagoon near

Ross hosts the salt lake slater Heleniscus searlei, a threatened species. This species

was formerly found at Township Lagoon near Tunbridge, but recent sampling

suggests that it is now extinct at that site (S. Tassell pers. comm.).

3.2.3 Spatial data

The digital data layer Deflation basins.shp is based on a map of aeolian landforms

prepared by Dixon (1997). The shapefile has been attributed to indicate whether the

individual sites are considered to definitely constitute deflation basins (107 sites) or

are only regarded as probable deflation basins (14 sites).


Dixon (1997) discusses conservation priorities for aeolian landforms with reference to

geoconservation criteria. From a groundwater dependent ecosystem perspective,

priority should be given to the conservation of deflation basins where the natural

landforms and vegetation are relatively undisturbed and/or deflation basins known to

contain significant biological values.

3.3. Freshwater crayfish burrows


The burrows of Australian crayfish have been classified into three types according to

their hydrological context (Horwitz & Richardson 1986). Type 1 burrows are

connected with permanent water bodies, being located in or adjacent to lakes and

rivers. Type 2 burrows penetrate to the water table and are at least partly inundated by

groundwater. Type 3 burrows are located on slopes and do not reach the water table;

water in the burrows is derived from surface runoff or throughflow (soil water

percolation in the vadose zone). Tasmanian Geocharax and Parastacoides crayfish

excavate type 1 or 2 burrows (Horwitz & Richardson 1986, Richardson & Swain

1980). These can be considered highly groundwater dependent communities under the

Environment Australia classification (moderate changes in groundwater discharge or

water tables would result in a substantial change in their distribution, composition

and/or health of the community). The burrows of Tasmanian Engaeus crayfish may be

of type 1, 2 or 3, depending on the species (Doran 2000). Type 3 Engaeus species

(e.g. E. orramakunna) may be considered proportionally dependent on groundwater

(communities that do not exhibit the threshold-type responses of the more highly

dependent ecosystems, but show a proportional response to change, particularly in

terms of distribution).

Crayfish burrows contacting groundwater are most likely to be found on flatter terrain

such as valley floors. Burrow densities of more than 10 per m2 have been recorded

(Horwitz 1991).



3.3.2 Biota

Three genera of freshwater burrowing crayfish occur in Tasmania: Geocharax,

Parastacoides and Engaeus. Geocharax is represented in Tasmania by a single species,

whereas about 15 species each have been described for Engaeus and Parastacoidies

(currently under revision) in Tasmania (N. Doran pers. comm.)

Crayfish burrows provide shelter and access to groundwater for a range of animals

other than crayfish. The faunal assemblages of crayfish burrows are highly

characteristic and have been termed ‘pholeteros’ (Lake 1977). At least 18 major

taxonomic groups have been recorded from the burrows of E. spinicaudatus in north-

eastern Tasmania, including nematodes, turbellarians, crustaceans, acarines and

insects (Horwitz 1991). A comparable diversity of groups has been found in the

pholeteros of crayfish burrows in southwest Tasmania (ibid.).

3.3.3 Spatial data

The digital layer GDE crayfish.shp indicates the range of freshwater burrowing

crayfish within the genera Geocharax, Parastacoides and Engaeus, from data supplied

by Alistair Richardson (University of Tasmania). Richardson excluded some of the

northern and eastern ranges of Parastacoides, where conditions are probably drier and

burrows are either very isolated, or confined to the very edges of creeks. Richardson

recommended that slopes greater than 5 degrees and land above 300 m asl should be

excluded, in order to focus on low lying terrain where crayfish are likely to be present

and burrows would contact groundwater.


The survival of Tasmania’s burrowing crayfish is threatened by a range of processes,

including drainage works leading to lowering of water tables (Doran 2000, Horwitz

1991). Some of the crayfish species are listed under Tasmanian Threatended Species

Protection Act 1995 and/or the Commonwealth Environment Protection and

Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. A Recovery Plan has been prepared for Engaeus

crayfish (Doran 2000).

3.4. Fractured and porous rock aquifers (excluding karst)


Fractured rock aquifers store water in the fractures, joints, bedding planes and cavities

of the rock mass. Tasmania’s fractured rock aquifers comprise pre-Tertiary

sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. Sedimentary or porous rock aquifer

store water in the pore spaces between the grains of sediment. This type of aquifer is

typically associated with unconsolidated Quaternary sand, river valley alluvial

deposits and smaller basins in Tertiary rocks. About 10-15% of Tasmania is underlain

by porous rock aquifers while about 85-90% is underlain by fractured rock aquifers

(SDAC 1996).

Groundwater-fed springs are common in areas underlain by basalt, dolerite, marine

sedimentary rocks within the Parmeener Supergroup, coastal sand masses and

Tertiary sediments filling structural basins (Scanlon et al. 1990, Leaman 2002,

Weldon 1991, Matthews 1983). These geological types are widespread in Tasmania.

The existence of numerous springs is particularly characteristic of basalt terrains. For

example, Pardoe Creek near Devonport is fed by 234 springs across a catchment of 36



km2, while Greens Creek in the same district is fed by 62 springs across a catchment

of 30 km2 (Cromer 1993).

Extensive sheets of unconsolidated sands characterise sections of Tasmania’s coast,

forming dune systems behind beaches, tie barriers (e.g. Eagle Hawk Neck) and

bayhead barriers (e.g. Seven Mile Beach, Nine Mile Beach). Coastal sand aquifers

yield significant quantities of freshwater in the majority of cases (Scanlon et al. 1990).

The water table within the sands is often very shallow (Cromer 1979, 1981), leading

to features such as salt marshes and dune-barred lagoons. Because the sands are

highly permeable, surface runoff is typically reduced or non-existent. Rainfall mostly

percolates rapidly underground and the discharge of streams rising on surrounding

rock types is sometimes completely attenuated, as water is lost to the sand aquifer.

Groundwater discharging into the sea can take the form of major springs (e.g.

Birthday Bay and west coast of King Island) or may involve less obvious seepages

within the tidal zone.

3.4.2 Biota

Tasmania’s non-karstic groundwater biota or stygofauna (animals living permanently

in groundwater) is virtually unknown. An exception to this is the chance discovery of

syncarids and small blind white amphipods in a spring in basalt that appeared in a

cellar underneath a house in Devonport. The syncarids were found to be a new genus

and species, Eucrenonaspides ointheke (Knott & Lake 1980); the amphipods are still

awaiting scientific description. Dark conditions in the cellar evidently encouraged the

animals to emerge from the spring where they were noticed. There are reports of

white invertebrates in other springs, but the Devonport record is the only one to have

been verified scientifically (A.Richardson, pers. comm).

The Devonport discovery suggests that groundwater biota of non-karstic aquifers

could prove to be as widespread and scientifically interesting as that of more studied

sites interstate and overseas (e.g. Ward et al. 2000). In the absence of a systematic

sampling, the stygofauna of Tasmania’s non-karstic aquifers will remain inadequately

described and at risk of decline as pressure on groundwater resources increases.

Surface biota that relies on groundwater for survival includes the biota of spring-fed

watercourses, and vegetation growing in areas where the water table lies within the

root zone of plants (see Section 3.6).

3.4.3 Spatial data

Spatial data on the groundwater dependent ecosystems of fracture and porous rock

aquifers is limited, reflecting the paucity of data on the groundwater fauna and lack of

systematic records concerning the locations of features such as springs and seepages.

The shapefile Coastal sands.shp depicts coastal sand masses known considered likely

to host shallow sand aquifers. The extent of the sand aquifers was inferred from

coastal sand masses identified on Mineral Resources Tasmania’s 1:250,000 scale

digital geological map of Tasmania (October 2003 version). A minor proportion of

the sand masses are on slopes and elevated coasts (e.g. cliff top dunes) well above

water table level, and would not support groundwater dependent ecosystems. The

digital layer has been attributed to identify sand masses known to contain wetlands,

springs or other evidence of shallow groundwater, and those were the available data

was sufficient only to identify the sand mass as having potential in this regard.



The shapefile GDE points.shp provides point localities for non-karstic springs, which

are attributed as ‘cold spring’ in the type field. Twenty three examples of non-karstic

springs were recorded, undoubtedly only a tiny fraction of the total.


A systematic program to characterise Tasmania’s stygofauna should be a priority.

This issue is relevant for groundwater resource investigations, water management

plans and planning for major water developments. Stygofauna are particularly

vulnerable to changes in groundwater parameters. Our lack of even basic information

concerning the occurrence of these animals is a major impediment to addressing this

class of groundwater dependent ecosystem in planning for the management of

Tasmania’s water resources.

Several Tasmanian wetlands in coastal sand aquifers have been identified as

conservation priorities under the National Land and Water Resources Audit (Dunn

2002). A number of sand masses identified in this study as hosting groundwater

dependent ecosystems are listed in the Tasmanian Geoconservation Database, which

is maintained by DPIWE’s Nature Conservation Branch with advice from an expert

panel. The listed sites include the Henty Dunes, south coast dunes, The Neck (Bruny

Island), McRaes Isthmus (Maria Island), Seven Mile Beach, Nine Mile Beach, Bay of

Fires, Waterhouse Dunefield, Flinders Island (eastern portion), Smithton area and

Lavinia (King Island).

The selection of non-karstic springs listed in the GDE points shapefile is highly

unrepresentative and should not be used for prioritising management. An exception to

this is Stinking Spring, a site being considered for listing in the Tasmanian

Geoconservation Database. Information on the condition of the site is lacking, but it is

the only recorded example of a sulphurous spring in Tasmania. Stinking Spring is

attributed as a ‘non-karst priority’ in the GDE points shapefile.

3.5. Subsurface streams in talus and colluvium


Inter-connected voids within regolith materials such talus and colluvium entails the

potential for subsurface drainage on shallow perched water tables. This situation is

common on the middle and upper slopes of many of Tasmania’s dolerite mountains.

Evidence of this is found in disappearing streams in talus fields, often where a

depression has formed from a slab topple, slumps or landslips. Such depression may

episodically flood to form ephemeral lakes and ponds (e.g. Disappearing Tarn, Mt.

Wellington). Subsurface streams in dolerite colluvium are sometimes encountered

during roading excavations (Plate 3). Typically, the streams are perched on a layer of

less permeable material, which may be sedimentary rock, unweathered dolerite or

more deeply weathered (clayey and impermeable) dolerite colluvium (P. McIntosh

pers. comm.). Springs are common at lower altitudes where the talus or colluvium

thins out.

Some dolerite slope deposits exhibit well-developed subsurface drainage despite the

dolerite being highly weathered with interstitial spaces mostly filled by clay.

McIntosh (20001) has been suggested that in this situation the watercourse originally

flowed through unweathered material and has maintained its course despite

weathering of the rock clasts to the extent that the majority of voids are now filled by



clays. This implies that some subsurface streams may have persisted in the landscape

for thousands of years.

A less common situation that can give rise to subsurface watercourses in talus is

where a landslide or rockfall buries a surface stream. If the infilling debris is

sufficiently porous, a ‘dry gorge’ may be produced with a subsurface watercourse

beneath the overburden. Examples of this phenomenon include the Blythe River near

Natone (granite), the Fisher River at Devils Gullet (dolerite) and Badger Creek near

Crossing River (siliceous rocks).

3.5.2 Biota

There has been no investigation of the ecosystems of subsurface watercourses in talus

and colluvium in Tasmania. Species that inhabit nearby surface watercourses are

likely to be present, through their adventitious occupation of the subsurface channels

or as a result of being washed in. Some subsurface channels in dolerite talus may have

persisted in the landscape for thousands of years (MacIntosh 2001), raising the

possibility that, like karst caves, they are inhabited by characteristic faunal

assemblages.

3.5.3 Spatial data

The digital data layer GDE points.shp includes 23 examples of subsurface drainage

systems in talus or colluvium:

� three non-karstic ‘dry gorges’ (Blythe River, Devils Gullet, Badger Creek);

� four subsurface watercourses intersected by road cuttings; and

� sixteen non-karstic depressions, springs or sinking streams in talus or

colluvium.

Disappearing streams and features mapped as closed depressions or marked as

‘sinkholes’ appear on 1:25,000 scale topographic maps of many Tasmanian

mountains. These features mostly coincide with dolerite bedrock or Quaternary talus,

suggesting that subsurface streams are common. A large depression shown on the

southern slopes of Schnells Ridge is mapped as Precambrian quartzite warrants

investigation as a major example that is not formed in dolerite. The sites included in

the digital data layer represent only a small sample of the potential examples.


Mt Punter and Mt St John provide some of the best Tasmanian examples of dolerite

terrain affected by large scale mass movements with karst-like subsurface drainage

systems (Sharples 1995). These sites are listed in the Tasmanian Geoconservation

Database as features of State significance, and are attributed as ‘non-karst priority’

sites in the GDE points shapefile. Both sites are State forest where their conservation

status is described as threatened. The database lists Mt Arthur as a nationally

significant site, although its conservation status is considered secure. The Blythe

River gorge is listed as a site of State significance; its conservation status is also

considered secure.



Plate 3. Subsurface stream in dolerite-rich regolith at Mt Arthur. Note the absence of any surface

expression of the watercourse (P. MacIntosh).

3.6. Groundwater Dependent Vegetation


As discussed below, groundwater dependent vegetation is likely to be extremely

widespread in Tasmania.

3.6.2 Biota

Hatton and Evans (1998) argue that if groundwater is available then the ecosystems

that develop in proximity to this resource will show some level of groundwater

dependency. This conclusion is particularly pertinent to vegetation. In arid areas

groundwater emerging at springs and billabongs, or tapped by deep root systems, is

the principal source of moisture for some plants. In more humid areas, such as

Tasmania, surface water is relatively abundant and moisture availability less of a

problem. Nevertheless, the water balance of many plants will include a groundwater

component, particularly as water tables in humid environments can be relatively

shallow, providing an accessible and reliable source of moisture. It may not be

necessary for the water table to be very close to the surface for plants to tap the water,

as it is not uncommon to encounter large roots tens of metres below the surface in

Tasmanian karst caves. Groundwater will be critical to plant survival during times of

water stress in both arid and humid regions.

The above discussion suggests that with a few possible exceptions (e.g. cloud forests)

the majority of vegetation types in Tasmania can be considered groundwater

dependent at some level. For the purpose of this assessment it was decided to focus on

vegetation types at the upper end of the spectrum of groundwater dependency i.e.

entirely or highly groundwater dependent on the Environment Australia scale.

Accordingly, priority was given to identifying vegetation types that utilise



groundwater as their principal source of moisture. The experts consulted identified

twenty six vegetation types that were considered to satisfy this criterion. These are:

� Alkaline Pans

� Sphagnum peatland with emergent trees

� Treeless Sphagnum peatland

� Wetland (general)

� Sedge/rush wetland

� Herbfield and grassland marginal to wetland

� Saline aquatic vegetation

� Fresh water aquatic vegetation

� Saltmarsh (undifferentiated)

� Succulent saltmarsh

� Graminoid saltmarsh

� Spartina

� Buttongrass moorland

� Sedgy Buttongrass

� Pure Buttongrass

� Restionaceae flatland

� Southwest buttongrass moorland

� Sparse Buttongrass on slopes

� Lowland grassy sedgeland and sedgy grassland

� Highland grassy sedgeland and sedgy grassland

� Melaleuca ericifolia forest

� Acacia melanoxylon on flats

� Short paperbark swamp

� Buttongrass Tea tree sequence

� Eastern buttongrass moorland

� Highland wet sedgeland/grassland

These vegetation types occur in association with water-logged soils, such as blanket

bogs, swamps and other wetlands. Their classification follows that of the Tasmanian

Vegetation Mapping Program (Harris & Kitchener in prep.).

3.6.3 Spatial data

Spatial data on the distribution of the vegetation types is available from DPIWE’s

Tasmanian Vegetation Mapping Program.

Jenny Deakin (pers. comm.) has suggested that the distribution of the vegetation types

should be compared against a hydrogeological model of the State to ensure that

groundwater dependence can be supported in all cases.




No attempt has been made to identify conservation priorities for groundwater

dependent vegetation types.

4. Conclusions

This project has identified a range of groundwater dependent ecosystems. The degree

of comprehensiveness achieved in mapping these ecosystems and characterising their

dependency on groundwater varies considerably. For example, Tasmania’s karstlands

and the fauna of karst aquifers are relatively well documented. In contrast, our

knowledge of the aquatic invertebrate fauna (stygofauna) of non-karstic aquifers is

extremely rudimentary and certainly inadequate for planning the management of

water resources. A program to systematically characterise the non-karstic stygofauna

of Tasmania should be a priority. This work should be integrated in the regional

hydrogeological assessment of Tasmania.

5. References

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Nature Conservation Agency, Canberra.

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Bradbury, J., 1994; Aeolian Landforms in the Lake Ada-Lake Augusta Area: A

Preliminary Investigation and Management Strategy, report to Parks & Wildlife

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Clarke, A., 1990; Lune River Valley Karst Inventory, report to Forestry Commission,

Tasmania.

Clarke, A., 1997; Management Prescriptions for Tasmania’s Cave Fauna, Report to

the RFA Environment & Heritage Technical Committee.

Cromer, W.C., 1979; Groundwater from Coastal Sands at Greens Beach, Northern

Tasmania, Tasmania Department of Mines, Geological Survey Bulletin No. 57.

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Hobart Golf Club, Tasmania Department of Mines, unpublished report 1981/3.

Cromer, W.C., 1993; Geology and Groundwater Resources of the Devonport – Port

Sorell – Sassafras Tertiary Basin, Tasmania Department of Mines, Geological Survey

Bulletin No. 67.

De Dekker, P. & Williams, W.D., 1982; Chemical and biological features of

Tasmania’s salt lakes, Australian Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research 33: 27-

1132.

Department of Land & Water Conservation, 2002; The NSW State Groundwater

Dependent Ecosystems Policy, NSW Government.



DPIWE, 2001; Draft Mole Creek Karst National Park and Conservation Area

Management Plan 2001, Department of Primary Industries, Water & Environment,

Hobart.

Dixon, G., 1996; A Reconnaissance Inventory of Sites of Geoconservation

Significance on Tasmanian Islands, Parks & Wildlife Service, Tasmania.

Dixon, G., 1997; A Preliminary Survey of the Distribution and Conservation

Significance of Inland Aeolian Features in the Midlands, Northeast and Southeast

Tasmania, Parks & Wildlife Service, Tasmania.

Doran, N.E., 2000; Burrowing Crayfish Group Recovery Plan 2001-2005,

Department of Primary Industries, Water & Environment, Hobart.

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biodiversity and conservation in Tasmanian caves, Memoirs Museum of Victoria

56(2): 649-653.

Drysdale, R., 1992; Karst Reconnaissance Survey Report of the Lower Coles Creek

Area, Florentine Valley, report to ANM Forest Management, Tasmania.

Dunn, H., 2002; Assessing the Condition and Status of Tasmania’s Wetlands and

Riparian Vegetation: Summary of Processes and Outcomes of a Component of the

National Land and Water Audit, Nature Conservation Branch Technical Report 02/09.

Eastoe, C.,1979; Geological Monuments in Tasmania, Geological Society of

Australia, Tasmanian Division.

Eberhard, R., 1994; Inventory and Management of the Junee Riiver Karst System,

Tasmania, Forestry Tasmania, Hobart.

Eberhard, R., 1995; Aeolian calcarenite at High Rocky Point, west coast of Tasmania,

Southern Caver.

Eberhard, R., 1996; Inventory and Management of Karst in the Florentine Valley,

Tasmania, Forestry Tasmania, Hobart.

Eberhard, R., Eberhard, S. & Wong, V., 1991; Karst geomorphology and

biospeleology at Vanishing Falls, south-west Tasmania, Helictite 30(2): 25-32.

Eberhard, S., 1988; Survey of Cave Fauna in the Western Tasmania World Heritage

Area (Parts I, II & III), report to the Department of Lands, Parks & Wildlife, Hobart.

Eberhard, S., 1991; Loongana, report to Forestry Commission, Tasmania.

Eberhard, S., 1994; Gunns Plains, report to Forestry Commission, Tasmania.

Eberhard, S., 1999; Cave Fauna Management and Monitoring at Ida Bay, Tasmania,

Parks & Wildlife Service Nature Conservation Report 99/1.

Eberhard, S., 2000; Reconnaissance Survey of Cave Fauna Management Issues in the

Mole Creek Karst National Park, Tasmania, Department of Primary Industry, Water

& Environment, Nature Conservation Report 2000/1.

Eberhard, S.M., Richardson, A.M.M. & Swain, R., 1991; The Invertebrate Cave

Fauna of Tasmania, Zoology Department, University of Tasmania.



Environment Australia, 2001; Environmental Water Requirements to Maintain

Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems; Environmental Flows Initiative Technical

Report No. 2, prepared by Sinclair, Knight Merz Pty Ltd for Environment Australia,

Canberra.

Fensham, R., 1985; The Pre-European Vegetation of the Midlands of Tasmania.

Unpublished BSc (Hons) thesis Geography Department , Uni of Tas.

Gray, L. & Heap, D., 1996; Beyond the Light: The Caves and Karst of Mount Cripps,

The Savage River Caving Club, Burnie.

Harris, S. & Kitchener, A., (Eds), Tasmania's Vegetation A Technical Manual for

TASVEG:Tasmania's Vegetation Map. Version 1.0. Tasmanian Department of

Primary Industries, Water and Environment. Version 1 (December 2003 DRAFT)

Hatton, T. & Evans, R., 1998; Dependence of Ecosystems on Groundwater and its

Significance to Australia, Land & Water Resources Development Corporation

Occasional Paper No. 12/98.

Horwitz, P., 1991; The Conservation Biology of Engaeus spinicaudatus, a Threatened

Crayfish from North-eastern Tasmania, Centre for Environmental Studies, University

of Tasmania, March 1991.

Horwitz, P. & Richardson, A.M.M, 1986; An ecological classification of the burrows

of Australian freshwater crayfish, Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater

Research 37: 237-242.

Houshold, I. & Clarke A., 1988; Bubs Hill Karst Area: Resource Inventory and

Management Recommendations, report to Department of Lands, Parks & Wildlife,

Tasmania.

Houshold, I. & Spate, A.P., 1990; Geomorphology and Hydrology of the Ida Bay

Karst Area, report to Department of Parks, Wildlife & Heritage, Hobart.

Houshold, I., Calver., C. & Sharples, C., 1999; Magnesite Karst in Northwest

Tasmania, report to Department of State Development, Tasmania.

Interdepartmental Technical Working Group on Karst Conservation, 1998; Karst

Geoconservation on Private Land, Forest Practices Board, Tasmania.

Jackson, J.A. (ed.), 1997; Glossary of Geology, 4th edition , American Geological

Institute, Alexandria, Virginia.

Jennings, J.N., 1956; Calc sinter and dripstone formations in an unusual context, Aust.

J. Science 18(4): 107-111.

Joyce, S.D., 2003; Karst Documentation and Hydrological Investigation of the

Hastings Caves State Reserve, B.Sc. (Hons) thesis, University of Tasmania.

Kiernan, K., 1984; Land Use in Karst Areas: Forestry Operations and the Mole Creek

Caves, report to the Forestry Commission and NationalParks & Wildlife Service,

Tasmania.

Kiernan, K., 1990; Bathymetry and origin of Lake Timk, South-west Tasmania,

Helictite 28(1): 18-21.



Kiernan, K., 1995; An Atlas of Tasmanian Karst, Tasmanian Forest Research Council,

Research Report No. 10.

Kiernan, K., 1997; Recommended Areas for the Protection of Karst Geoconservation

Values, report dated 12 November 1997.

Kirkpatrick J.B. & Harwood C.E., 1981; The Conservation of Tasmanian Wetland

Macrophytic Species and Communities, report to the Australian Heritage Commission

from the Tasmanian Conservation Trust Inc., Hobart.

Kirkpatrick, J.B., & Tyler, P.A., 1987; Tasmanian wetlands and their conservation, in

The Conservation of Australian Wetlands, A.J. McComb and P.S. Lake (eds), Surrey

Beatty, Sydney, pp. 1-16.

Knott, B. & Lake, P.S., 1980; Eucrenonaspides ointheke gen. Et sp.n.

(Psammaspididae) from Tasmania, and a new taxonomic sheme for Anaspidacea

(Crustacea, Syncarida), Zoologica Scripta 9: 25-33.

Lake, P.S., 1977; Pholeteros – the faunal assemblage found in crayfish burrows,

Australian Society for Limnology Newsletter 15: 57-60.

Leaman, D., 2002; The Rock Which Makes Tasmania, Leaman Geophysics, Hobart.

Matthews, W.L., 1978; Thermal Spring at Kimberley, Tasmania Department of Mines

Unpublished Report 1978/12.

Matthews, W.L., 1983; Geology and Groundwater Resources of the Longford

Tertiary Basin, Tasmania Department of Mines Geological Survey Bulletin 59.

MacIntosh, P., 2001; Subsurface stream channels in dolerite talus. Forest Practices

News 3(3): 10.

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Centre for Environmental Studies ccasional Paper 11, University of Tasmania.

Nature Conservation Council of NSW Inc., 1999; Desktop Methodology to Identify

Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems, Sydney.

Nye, P.B., Finucane, K.J. & Blake, F., 1934; The Smithton District, Geological

Survey Bulletin 34, Department of Mines, Tasmania.

PWS, 1994; Kubla Khan Cave State Reserve Management Plan 1994, Department of

Environment & Land Management, Tasmania.

PWS, 2002; Mount Field National Park, Mariotts Falls State Reserve and Junee Cave

State Reserve Management Plan 2002, Department of Tourism, Parks, Heritage & the

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Engaeus cisternarius and three subspecies of Parastacoides tasmanicus (Decapoda:

Parastacidae), burrowing crayfish from an area of south-western Tasmania, Australian

Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 31: 475-484.

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in the Huon Forest District, Forestry Tasmania, Hobart.



Sharples, C., 1994b; A Reconnaissance of Landforms and Geological Sites of

Geoconservation Significance in the North-Eastern Tasmanian Forest Districts,

Forestry Tasmania, Hobart.

Sharples, C., 1995; A Reconnaissance of Landforms and Geological Sites of

Geoconservation Significance in the State Forests of Eastern Tasmania, Forestry

Tasmania, Hobart.

Sharples, C., 1996a; A Reconnaissance of Landforms and Geological Sites of

Geoconservation Significance in the Circular Head Forest District, Forestry

Tasmania, Hobart.

Sharples, C., 1996b; A Reconnaissance of Landforms and Geological Sites of

Geoconservation Significance in the Murchison Forest District, Forestry Tasmania,

Hobart.


Geoconservation Significance in the Circular Head Forest District, Forestry

Tasmania, Hobart.

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Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems, Environment Australia, Canberra.

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Tasmania’s Landforms and Geology, Department of Education and The Arts,

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Geoconservation Significance in the Murchison Forest District, report to Forestry

Tasmania, Hobart.

SDAC 1996; State of the Environment Tasmania, Volume 1 – Conditions and Trends,

Sustainable Development Advisory Council, Department of Environment & Land

Management, Tasmania.

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of shallow unconsolidated sediments, particularly hyporheic biotopes, in Wilkens, H.,

Culver, D.C. & Humphreys, W.F. (eds), Subterranean Ecosystems, Elsevier,

Amsterdam, pp. 45-58.

Weldon, B.D., 1991; Potential Effects of Forestry Operations on Slope Stability and

Springs in the Mt Koonya Area, Tasmania Department of Resources & Energy,

Division of Mines & Mineral Resources Report 1991/23.



Appendix 1. Contributors

1. Earth Science Workshop (December 9th, 2003)

Grant Dixon (Parks & Wildlife Service)

Chris Sharples (Geoconservation consultant)

David Dettrick (DPIWE Environment Division, DPIWE)

Nathan Duhig (Forest Practices Board)

Miladin Latinovic (Mineral Resources Tasmania)

David Leaman (ex- Mineral Resources Tasmania)

Jessemy Long (DPIWE Water Development Branch)

Danielle Heffer (DPIWE Water Development Branch)

Rolan Eberhard (DPIWE Nature Conservation Branch)

2. Fauna Workshop (December 15th, 2003)

Alistair Richardon (University of Tasmania)

Leon Barmutta (University of Tasmania)

Helen Dunn (University of Tasmania)

Arthur Clarke (University of Tasmania)

Niall Doran (DPIWE Nature Conservation Branch)

Danielle Warfe (DPIWE Water Management Branch)



3. Flora Workshop (16th December, 2003)

Mick Brown (CFEV Scientific Advisory Group)

Sib Corbett (DPIWE Nature Conservation Branch)



4. Other contributors

Peter Davies (University of Tasmania)

Sarah Tassell (University of Tasmania)

Jenny Deakin (DPIWE Water Management Branch)

Ian Houshold (DPIWE Nature Conservation Branch)



Michael Pemberton (DPIWE Nature Conservation Branch)

Kathryn Jerie (DPIWE Nature Conservation Branch)

Jason Bradbury (DPIWE Nature Conservation Branch)

Stuart Blackhall (DPIWE Nature Conservation Branch)

Jennie Whinam (DPIWE Nature Conservation Branch)

Louise Gilfedder (DPIWE Nature Conservation Branch)

Lindsay Millard (DPIWE Nature Conservation Branch

Anne Kitchener (DPIWE Nature Conservation Branch

Richard Barnes (DPIWE Private Forests Reserves Program)

Bob Mesibov (Queen Victoria Museum & Art Galley)

Loyd Matthews (ex-Mineral Resources Tasmania)

Peter McIntosh (Forestry Tasmania)



Appendix 2. Digital maps

Data layers summarising currently available information on groundwater dependent

ecosystems have been compiled as five Arcview shapefiles. These relate to:

� Karst areas (Taskarst.shp);

� Point localities for landforms (e.g. springs) associated with groundwater

dependent ecosystems (GDE points.shp);

� Deflation basins (Deflation basins.shp);

� Range of freshwater burrowing crayfish (GDE crayfish.shp);

� Quaternary coastal sand aquifers (Coastal sands.shp).

The data layers are described in more detail below.

The AGD66 datum has been used in all cases.

Karst areas

The shapefile Taskarst.shp is an updated version of the Tasmanian Karst Atlas V. 3.0

(2003) digital dataset held by DPIWE and Forestry Tasmania.

Attributes

Field Attributes Comments

Kfeat_id Unique polygon identifier The numbers are inherited from the Karst Atlas v.3, except for

new polygons, which have been allocated new numbers.

Klocation Alphanumeric code

identifying each karst area

As applied in the Karst Atlas v.3. Karst catchments are coded as

per the relevant karst area.

Kname Karst area name As applied in the Karst Atlas v.3. Karst catchments are named as

per the relevant karst area.

Kcategory Karst category:

A = known or likely to be

intensely karstified

B = substantially karstified

C = partly karstified

D = possibly karstified

The categories relate to the degree of karstification, following

Kiernan (1995). Karst catchments in the northwest which

discharge into to multiple karst areas have been attributed with

the ‘highest’ relevant karst category (i.e. the category of the most

karstified downstream karst area within the catchment).

Type Identifies type of polygon:

Karst Area

Karst Catchment

Karst+Catchment (i.e.

polygon is a karst area

within the catchment of

another karst area).

The catchments of some karst areas are yet to be digitised.

Gcode Classification of karst areas

(see comments).

The classification is based on the lithological, topographic and

climatic (precipitation) context of the karst areas. Lithology and

topography were taken from relevant fields in the Karst Atlas v.3.

Data on effective precipitation (mean annual, maximum daily and

maximum daily cv) provided to Kathryn Jerie (DPIWE) by the

Bureau of Meteorology was used to identify four Tasmanian

rainfall regions used in the classification. The classes are listed at

Appendix 3.




Glacialmax Identifies polygons that fall

within areas considered to

have been inundated by

glacial ice during Cainozoic

cold climate periods.

0 = not glaciated

1 = glaciated

This attribute was derived using a map of the maximum extent of

Cainozoic glacial ice, that was prepared for the RFA

geoconservation assessment and later digitised by Kathryn Jerie

(DPIWE).

Point localities for landforms associated with groundwater dependent ecosystems

The shapefile GDE points.shp provides site data for the following landforms

identified as supporting groundwater dependent ecosystems:

� Warm springs

� Cold springs

� Mound springs

� Tufa-depositing springs

� Perennially or intermittently flooded karst depressions

� Subsurface streams in talus and colluvium.

The accuracy of the location data varies depending on the source. Some sites were

mapped in the field by GPS or other reliable method and will generally be accurate to

within metres or tens of metres. Other sites were digitised from features marked on

1:25,000 scale topographic maps or follow locations cited in reports.




Attributes


ID Unique polygon identifier

Name Feature name

Null = feature not named

Many of the names are not formally accepted nomenclature, but

are in common usage or appear in published reports (e.g.

Shannons Lake, many cave names).

Type Warm spring

Cold spring

Cold spring (karstic)

Mound spring

Tufa-depositing spring

Karst depression

Subsurface stream

See main text for description of the types.




Tenure Private land

Private land (TALC)

State forest

State forest (Protection

Zone)

Forest Reserve

Conservation Area

National Park

State Reserve

Regional Reserve

Nature Reserve

Wellington Park

Commonwealth land

Other Crown land

State forest (Protection Zone) = administrative form of

reservation under Forestry Tasmania’ Management Decision

Classification system

Other Crown land = unallocated Crown land and public reserves

under the Crown Lands Act 1976

Private land (TALC) = land owned by the Tasmanian Aboriginal

Land Council

Source Published or unpublished

references relevant to the

groundwater attributes of

the site

Location Major named feature (e.g.

town, river, etc) close to site

Non-karst

priority

Non-karst priority Identifies non-karst sites that are considered priorities for

conservation management.

Deflation basins

The shapefile deflation basins.shp is a polygon coverage of deflation basins identified

by Dixon (1997). The polygons were digitised from 1:100,000 scale paper maps

prepared by Dixon to accompany his report.

Attributes


Type Definite

Probable

Definite = landforms considered by Dixon (1997) to definitely

constitute deflation basins.

Probable = landforms considered by Dixon (1997) to probably

constitute deflation basins, based on the topographic,

morphological and/or sedimentary setting.

Range of freshwater burrowing crayfish

The shapefile GDE crayfish.shp comprises polygons showing the range of freshwater

burrowing crayfish within the genera Geocharax, Parastacoides and Engaeus. The

polygons were mapped by Alistair Richardson (University of Tasmania). Some of the

northern and eastern ranges of Parastacoides, where conditions are probably drier and

burrows are either very isolated, or confined to the very edges of creeks, were



excluded. Richardson recommended that slopes greater than 5 degrees and land above

300 m asl should be excluded, in order to focus on low lying terrain where crayfish

are likely to be present and burrows would contact groundwater.

Coastal sand aquifers

The shapefile Coastal sands.shp is a polygon coverage depicting the potential extent

of GDEs in coastal sand aquifers. The polygons were selected from MRT’s 1:250,000

Geology of Tasmania digital map (October 2003 version) according to the following

criteria: (1) the polygons occur on the coast, and (2) the polygons comprise geological

units containing sand formations. The relevant geological units include those

identified as Quaternary coastal sand and gravel, Holocene sand, gravel and mud of

alluvial, lacustrine and littoral origin, undifferentiated Quaternary sediments and

undifferentiated Cainozoic sediments. Because various geological units have been

combined and/or remain undifferentiated on the geological map, some polygons or

parts of polygons included in the coastal sands shapefile may contain sediments other

than sand and/or are located in topographic settings not conducive to the formation of

coastal sand aquifers (e.g. steep slopes, cliff tops). Further work would be required to

identify polygons that should be excluded on this basis. Expert advice was used to

flag those sand masses known to contain landforms indicative of a shallow water table

and/or groundwater discharge (see Status field in the attribute table). Other sites

included in the coverage should be considered potential GDEs until they can be

properly assessed or other information is available to confirm their groundwater

status.


Status GDE

Potential GDE

GDE = sand masses characterised by landforms indicative

of a shallow water table and/or groundwater discharge.

Potential GDE = potential sand aquifer based only on

geology and proximity to coast.

Age Holocene

Quaternary

Cainozoic

Source: Mineral Resources Tasmania 1:250,000 Geology

of Tasmania digital map (October 2003 version).

Geology Description of geological

type

Source: Mineral Resources Tasmania 1:250,000 Geology

of Tasmania digital map (October 2003 version).



Appendix 3. Classification of Karst areas

The karst areas were classified using a matrix approach based on three principal

controls on karst processes: the rock type (lithology), topography and precipitation.

Rock type and topography was taken from Kiernan (1995). Tasmania was divided

into four precipitation regions derived from data on effective precipitation, maximum

daily rainfall and the coefficient of variation of maximum daily rainfall.

Gcode Lithology Topography Precipitation

1 Lithological system undifferentiated hill flank and plain (plain

type unspecified)

2

2 Holocene freshwater limestone (e.g,

recent spring mound or tufa deposits)

plain (type unspecified) 3



coastal plain 3



riverine plain 3

5 Pleistocene aeolian calcarenite Coastal 2



8 Pleistocene aeolian calcarenite coastal plain 2

9 Pleistocene aeolian calcarenite coastal plain 3

10 Pleistocene aeolian calcarenite hill flank 2

11 Pleistocene aeolian calcarenite hill flank and coastal 2

12 Pleistocene aeolian calcarenite hill flank and coastal 4

13 Pleistocene aeolian calcarenite hill flank and plain (plain

type unspecified)

2

14 Pleistocene aeolian calcarenite hill flank and plain (plain

type unspecified)

3

15 Pleistocene aeolian calcarenite hill flank, plain and coastal 2

16 Pleistocene freshwater limestone (e.g,

Pulbeena Limestone)


17 Tertiary marine limestone

undifferentiated

Coastal 3


undifferentiated



undifferentiated



undifferentiated

Coastal plain 2


undifferentiated

coastal plain 3


undifferentiated

riverine plain 3





undifferentiated

hill flank 3


undifferentiated

hill flank and coastal 2

25 Cainozoic (mostly Tertiary) freshwater

limestone (e.g, Geilston Bay deposits)

coastal plain 2



riverine plain 2



hill flank 3

28 Tertiary limestone over Smithton

Dolomite (near Redpa)

riverine plain 3

29 Permo-Carboniferous limestones

undifferentiated

Coastal 1


undifferentiated

Coastal 2


undifferentiated

coastal plain 1


undifferentiated

coastal plain 3


undifferentiated

Hill flank 1


undifferentiated

hill flank 2


undifferentiated

hill flank 3


undifferentiated



undifferentiated



undifferentiated

hill flank and plain (plain

type unspecified)

2


undifferentiated

Riverine plain 1


undifferentiated

riverine plain 2

41 Siluro-Devonian limestones (Eldon

Group) undifferentiated

Coastal 4



hill flank 4




type unspecified)

4



hill flank, plain and coastal 4




45 Ordovician limestones (Gordon Group)

undifferentiated

Coastal 3


undifferentiated

Coastal 4


undifferentiated



undifferentiated



undifferentiated

riverine plain 3


undifferentiated

riverine plain 4


undifferentiated

hill flank 3


undifferentiated

hill flank 4


undifferentiated



undifferentiated


type unspecified)

3


undifferentiated


type unspecified)

4

56 Cambrian Ragged Basin Complex

dolomites and cherty dolomites

Riverine plain 3



hill flank 3



hill flank 4

59 Cambrian carbonate rocks (mainly

dolomites) undifferentiated

Coastal 2

60 Precambrian Kanunnah

Subgroup/Crimson Creek formation

dolomitic and calcareous units.

hill flank 3




hill flank 4





63 Precambrian dolomites undifferentiated Coastal 3

64 Precambrian dolomites undifferentiated plain (type unspecified) 4

65 Precambrian dolomites undifferentiated coastal plain 4

66 Precambrian dolomites undifferentiated riverine plain 3

67 Precambrian dolomites undifferentiated riverine plain 4




68 Precambrian dolomites undifferentiated hill flank 3

69 Precambrian dolomites undifferentiated hill flank 4

70 Precambrian dolomites undifferentiated Mountain (alpine karst) 4

71 Precambrian dolomites undifferentiated hill flank and plain (plain

type unspecified)

4

72 Precambrian Smithton Dolomite plain (type unspecified) 3

73 Precambrian Smithton Dolomite coastal plain 3

74 Precambrian Smithton Dolomite riverine plain 3

75 Precambrian Smithton Dolomite hill flank 3

76 Precambrian Smithton Dolomite hill flank and plain (plain

type unspecified)

3

77 Precambrian Black River Dolomite,

Savage Dolomite, Success Creek

Group & correlates

Coastal 3



Group & correlates

Coastal 4



Group & correlates




Group & correlates




Group & correlates

coastal plain 3



Group & correlates

coastal plain 4



Group & correlates

riverine plain 3



Group & correlates

riverine plain 4



Group & correlates

hill flank 3



Group & correlates

hill flank 4



Group & correlates







Group & correlates


type unspecified)

3



Group & correlates


type unspecified)

4

90 Precambrian Weld River Group

dolomite, Jane Dolomite, Hastings

Dolomite and correlates

Riverine plain 3




Riverine plain 4




hill flank 3




hill flank 4




Mountain (alpine karst) 4









97 Precambrian/Cambrian Arthur

Metamorphic Complex sequences (e.g,

Keith Schist) not known to contain

magnesite units but stratigraphically

correlated with dolomitic sequences

such as the Oonah Formation.


type unspecified)

3

98 Precambrian Oonah Formation, Burnie

Formation and correlated interbedded

dolomite/clastic sequences.





riverine plain 4




hill flank 3




hill flank 4

102 Precambrian Clark Group dolomites riverine plain 4

103 Precambrian Clark Group dolomites hill flank 3




104 Precambrian Clark Group dolomites hill flank 4

105 Precambrian Clark Group dolomites Mountain (alpine karst) 4

106 Precambrian Rocky Cape Group

interbedded dolomites (Irby Siltstone –

interbedded clastics and dolomites)

hill flank 3









type unspecified)

3

109 Precambrian/Cambrian Magnesite and

interbedded Magnesite/Dolomite

(Arthur Metamorphic Complex)

hill flank 3

110 Precambrian/Cambrian Magnesite and

interbedded Magnesite/Dolomite

(Arthur Metamorphic Complex)

hill flank 4



Appendix 4. GDE point features




Name Type Tenure Source Location

'Shannons Lake' Karst depression State forest Sharples 1996a Savage River

Angel Cliffs Tufa-depositing

spring

National Park Middleton 1979 Gordon River

Artery Cold spring

(karstic)

State Reserve Joyce 2003 Hastings

Arthurs Folly Cave Cold spring

(karstic)

National Park Houshold & Spate

1990

Ida Bay

BH1 Tufa-depositing

spring

National Park Houshold & Clarke

1988

Bubs Hill

Bachelors Spring Cold spring

(karstic)

Private land R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Ugbrook

Badger Creek Subsurface stream National Park - Crossing River

Big Lower

Sassafras Spring

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Ugbrook

Blythe River Subsurface stream Conservation

Area

Sharples 1996b Natone

Boggy Spring Cold spring

(karstic)

Other Crown

land

R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Ugbrook

Bowry Cave

Spring

Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest Houshold et al. 1999 Bowry Creek

Bradley

Chesterman Cave

Cold spring

(karstic)


1990

Ida Bay

Bramich's Spring Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Mayberry

Burns Rising Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest Eberhard 1996 Florentine Valley

Byards Rising Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Mayberry

Cashions Creek

Cave

Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest

(Protection Zone)

Eberhard 1996 Florentine Valley

Circular Ponds Karst depression Private

land/Conservatio

n Area

R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Mayberry

Croesus Cave Cold spring

(karstic)

National Park R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Olivers Rd

Croesus Cave Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Olivers Rd




Cyclops Cave Cold spring

(karstic)

National Park

(Private land?)

R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Ugbrook

Damper Cave Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Precipitous Bluff

Deception Pool Karst depression State forest

(Protection Zone)

Sharples 1996a Arthur River

Den Cave Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Mole Creek

Devils Gullet Subsurface stream State Reserve - Fisher River

Dismal Swamp Karst depression Forest

Reserve/Nature

Reserve

Sharples 1996a Redpa

Dobsons Flats

spring

Cold spring

(karstic)

Private land S. Eberhard 1994 Gunns Plains

Echo Valley Spring Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Olivers Rd

Emperor Cave Cold spring

(karstic)


Enigma Spring Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Loatta

Exit Cave Cold spring

(karstic)


1990

Ida Bay

F39 Cold spring

(karstic)

National Park Middleton 1979 Franklin River

Fault Creek Spring Cold spring

(karstic)

Conservation

Area

R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Mole Creek

GP6 Cold spring

(karstic)

State Reserve S. Eberhard 1994 Gunns Plains

Gads Spring Cold spring

(karstic)

Other Crown

land

R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Liena

Gillam Cave Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Mayberry

Gollums Spring Cold spring Private land S. Eberhard 1994 Gunns Plains

Gone South Cold spring

(karstic)


Great Western

Cave

Cold spring

(karstic)


Green Pond Karst depression Forest Reserve Sharples 1996a Arthur River

Hastings Cold spring

(karstic)

Hasting Caves

SR

C. Sharples pers.

comm.

Hastings

Hastings Thermal

Pool

Warm spring Hasting Caves

SR

Joyce 2003 Hastings

Honeycomb 2

Cave

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Caveside




Hop Farm Spring Cold spring

(karstic)


Howes Spring Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Caveside

Howes Spring Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Loatta

Jack Daltons Blue

Lake

Karst depression State Reserve S. Bunton unpub. data Hastings

Joe's Rifts Cold spring

(karstic)

Forest reserve R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Dogs Head Hill

Julius River

Outflow Cave

Cold spring

(karstic)

State Reserve Sharples 1996a Arthur River

Junee Cave Cold spring

(karstic)

State Reserve R. Eberhard 1994 Maydena

Kaines Cave Cold spring

(karstic)


Kimberley Springs Warm spring State Reserve Matthews 1978 Kimberley

Kubla Khan Efflux Cold spring

(karstic)

Conservation

Area

R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Mayberry

Kutikina Cave Cold spring

(karstic)


Lake Chisholm Karst depression Forest Reserve Sharples 1996, 1997 Arthur River

Lake Lea Karst depression Conservation

Area

I. Houshold pers.

comm.

Vale of Belvoir

Lake Sydney Karst depression National Park Kiernan 1989 Mt Bobs

Lake Timk Karst depression National Park Kiernan 1990 Mt Anne

Lawrence Rivulet

Rising

Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest

(Protection Zone)

Eberhard 1996 Florentine

Vallery

Lawrence Rivulet

Sink

Karst depression State forest

(Protection Zone)


Leven Canyon Tufa-depositing

spring

Private land Eberhard 1991 Loongana

Leven Cave Cold spring

(karstic)


Lime Pit Cold spring

(karstic)

Other Crown

land

R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Liena

Little South

Circular

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Mayberry

Little Trimmer

Cave

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Loatta

Little Trimmer

Cave

Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Loatta




Loons Cave Cold spring

(karstic)


1990

Ida Bay

Lowana Road

Spring

Cold spring

(karstic)


Lynds Cave Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Olivers Rd

Lynds Cave Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Olivers Rd

Mackies Spring Cold spring

(karstic)

Conservation

Area

R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Mayberry

Mackies Spring Karst depression Conservation

Area

R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Mayberry

Marakoopa Cave Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Mayberry

Mersey Bridge

Spring

Cold spring

(karstic)

Other Crown

land

R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Olivers Rd

Mersey Hill Cave Cold spring

(karstic)

Conservation

Area

R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Mole Creek

Mesa Creek Cave Tufa-depositing

spring

State forest

(Protection Zone)

Clarke 1990 North Lune

Mill Cave Cold spring

(karstic)

Forest Reserve R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Liena

Minimoria Cold spring

(karstic)


1988

Bubs Hill

My Cave Karst

Window

Cold spring

(karstic)

Conservation

Area

R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Ugbrook

North Lune Cold spring State forest Clarke 1990 North Lune

Parsons Spring Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Caveside

Pendant Cave Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest Houshold et al. 1999 Main Rivulet

Perched Lake Karst depression National Park J. Bradbury pers.

comm.

Gordon River

Platypus Lagoon Karst depression NationalPark I. Houshold pers.

comm.

Weld River

Pungalannar Pool Karst depression National Park Eberhard et al. 1992 Salisbury River

Quetzalcoatl

Conduit

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Precipitous Bluff

Raymond Road

Spring

Cold spring Private land S. Eberhard 1994 Gunns Plains

Riveaux Karst depression State forest - Huon River

Roberts Cave Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest - Huon River




Rotuli Cave Cold spring

(karstic)

National Park Middleton 1979 Gordon River

Salisbury River

Spring

Cold spring

(karstic)

National Park Eberhard et al. 1992 Salisbury River

Sassafras Cave Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Ugbrook

Scotts Rising Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Caveside

Shirleys Pool Karst depression National Park R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Surprise River

Short Creek Spring Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Mayberry

Shower Cliff Tufa-depositing

spring


Snailspace Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Mayberry

Soda Creek Cave Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Liena

South Circular

Ponds

Karst depression Private land R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Mayberry

Stinking Spring Cold spring Private land Matthews 1983 Bracknell

Swallownest Cave Cold spring

(karstic)


Swallownest Cave Tufa-depositing

spring


The Duckhole Karst depression State forest

(Protection Zone)

Sharples 1994a Hastings

The Three Bears Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Mayberry

The Wash Karst depression Private land R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Mayberry

Thylacine Lair Cold spring

(karstic)


1988

Bubs Hill

Trowutta Arch Karst depression State Reserve R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Trowutta

Un-named cave

(BH13)

Cold spring

(karstic)


1988

Bubs Hill

Un-named cave

(F23)

Cold spring

(karstic)


Un-named cave

(F32)

Cold spring

(karstic)


Un-named cave

(F38)

Cold spring

(karstic)





Un-named cave

(F4)

Cold spring

(karstic)


Un-named cave

(F52)

Cold spring

(karstic)


Un-named cave

(JF335)

Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest

(Protection Zone)


Un-named cave

(JF48)

Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest

(Protection Zone)


Un-named cave

(N2)

Cold spring

(karstic)

National Park Clarke 1990 North Lune

Union Cave Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Dogs Head Hill

Vanishing Falls Karst depression National Park Eberhard et al. 1992 Salisbury River

Vein Cold spring

(karstic)


Victory Springs Warm spring State forest

(Protection Zone)

Houshold et al. 1999 Arthur River

Wagarta Mina

(Judds Cavern)

Cold spring

(karstic)

Private land

(TALC)

- Picton Range

Warra Cave Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest A. Clarke pers. comm. Huon River

Weerona Cave Cold spring

(karstic)


Welcome Stranger

Cave

Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest

(Protection Zone)


Westfield Spring Cold spring

(karstic)


Wet Cave Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Caveside

Tufa-depositing

spring

National Park Tasmanian

Geoconservation

Database

Maria Island

Tufa-depositing

spring


Geoconservation

Database

Maria Island

Tufa-depositing

spring

National Park Sharples 1995 Forestier

Peninsula

Tufa-depositing

spring


Geoconservation

Database

Maria Island

Tufa-depositing

spring


Geoconservation

Database

Maria Island




Tufa-depositing

spring


Geoconservation

Database

Maria Island

Tufa-depositing

spring


Peninsula


data

Mayberry

Subsurface stream State forest Clarke 1990 North Lune


data

Mayberry


Subsurface stream National Park Clarke 1990 North Lune

Tufa-depositing

spring


Peninsula

Cold spring

(karstic)

Private land Kiernan 1984 Ugbrook

Tufa-depositing

spring

Conservation

Area

Eberhard 1995 High Rocky

Point


Cold spring

(karstic)


Cold spring

(karstic)


Cold spring

(karstic)


Cold spring

(karstic)



data

Dogs Head Hill

Karst depression Forest Reserve R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Dogs Head Hill


data

Dogs Head Hill


data

Dogs Head Hill'


data

Dogs Head Hill


data

Dogs Head Hill


data

Dogs Head Hill

Cold spring

(karstic)





Karst depression State forest R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Dogs Head Hill


data

Dogs Head Hill

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Chudleigh

Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest I. Houshold pers.

comm.

North Lune

Cold spring

(karstic)


Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Caveside

Karst depression State forest R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Dogs Head Hill

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Caveside

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Caveside

Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest Sharples 1994a North Lune

Warm spring State forest Clarke 1990 North Lune

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Caveside

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Chudleigh

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Chudleigh

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Chudleigh

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Chudleigh

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Chudleigh

Cold spring State forest Clarke 1990 North Lune

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Chudleigh

Karst depression National Park - Cook Creek

Subsurface stream State forest P. MacIntosh pers.

comm.

Florentine Valley


comm.

Lake River


comm.

Huon River





comm.

Mt Weld


comm.

Mt Arthur

Mound spring National Park R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Precipitous Bluff


(Protection Zone)

Sharples pers. comm. Styx River

Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest

(Protection Zone)

Sharples pers comm. Styx River

Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Dogs Head Hill

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Caveside

Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Dogs Head Hill

Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Dogs Head Hill

Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Dogs Head Hill

Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Mayberry

Tufa-depositing

spring

Conservation

Area

R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Mayberry

Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Dogs Head Hill

Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Dogs Head Hill

Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest

(Protection Zone)


Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest - Risbys Basin

Cold spring

(karstic)


Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Dogs Head Hill

Cold spring

(karstic)

Private land - Risbys Basin

Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Dogs Head Hill

Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Mayberry

Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Caveside




Cold spring

(karstic)

Other Crown

land

Eberhard 1994 Maydena

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Caveside

Mound spring State forest

(Protection Zone)

Drysdale 1992 Florentine Valley

Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Dogs Head Hill


(Protection Zone)


Cold spring

(karstic)



(Protection Zone)


Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest Eberhard 1996 Florentine

Vallery

Cold spring State forest Drysdale 1992 Junee-Florentine

Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Olivers Rd

Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Caveside

Karst depression National Park Kiernan 1990 Mt Anne

Cold spring

(karstic)

National Park Kiernan 1990 Snake River

Cold spring

(karstic)

National Park Kiernan 1990 Snake River

Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Caveside

Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Caveside

Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest N. Duhig pers. comm. Florentine Valley

Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest N. Duhig pers. comm. Florentine Valley

Karst depression State forest N. Duhig pers. comm. Florentine Valley

Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Mayberry

Cold spring Private land Knott & Lake 1980 Devonport

Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Ugbrook

Cold spring Private land R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Ugbrook




Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Mayberry

Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Mayberry

Subsurface stream National Park Clarke 1990 North Lune

Karst depression Private land I. Houshold pers.

comm.

Vale of Belvoir

Karst depression Conservation

Area

I. Houshold pers.

comm.

Vale of Belvoir

Cold spring

(karstic)

Private land I. Houshold pers.

comm.

Vale of Belvoir


comm.

Vale of Belvoir

Cold spring

(karstic)


comm.

Vale of Belvoir


comm.

Vale of Belvoir

Karst depression Conservation

Area

I. Houshold pers.

comm.

Vale of Belvoir

Cold spring

(karstic)


comm.

Vale of Belvoir

Karst depression National Park J. Bradbury pers.

comm.

Gordon River

Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Caveside

Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Caveside

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Stockers Plain

Cold spring

(karstic)


Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Caveside

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Caveside


data

Caveside

Cold spring

(karstic)


Cold spring Conservation

Area

R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Mole Creek


data

Caveside




Tufa-depositing

spring


data

Caveside

Karst depression National Park Houshold & Clarke

1988

Surprise River


1988

Surprise River


1988

Mt Gell


data

Mole Creek


data

Mole Creek

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Mole Creek

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Caveside

Cold spring

(karstic)


Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Ugbrook

Tufa-depositing

spring


Tufa-depositing

spring

Private

land/Other

Crown land

R. Barnes pers. comm. King Island

Tufa-depositing

spring

Other Crown

land

R. Barnes pers. comm. King Island

Cold spring Other Crown

land

Jennings 1956 Kind Island

Tufa-depositing

spring

Private

land/Other

Crown land

Jennings 1956 King Island

Tufa-depositing

spring

Private

land/Other

Crown land

Jennings 1956 King Island

Cold spring Private land Jennings 1956 King Island

Tufa-depositing

spring

Other Crown

land

Dixon 1996 Cape Barren

Island

Tufa-depositing

spring

Other Crown

land

Dixon 1996 Cape Barren

Island

Cold spring National Park Dixon 1996 Hogan Island

Tufa-depositing

spring

Commonwealth

land

Eastoe 1979 Cape Grim




Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Ugbrook

Cold spring

(karstic)

Private land Nye et al. 1934 Pulbeena

Mound spring Private land Nye et al. 1934 Marthicks Hill

Cold spring Private land Nye et al. 1934 Marthicks Hill

Cold spring Private land Nye et al. 1934 Smithton

Mound spring Private land Nye et al. 1934 Smithton

Mound spring Private land Eastoe 1979 Mella

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Ugbrook

Warm spring State forest Houshold et al. 1999 Keith River

Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest Houshold et al. 1999 Arthur River

Karst depression State forest Houshold et al. 1999 Lyons River

Warm spring State forest Houshold et al. 1999 Lyons River

Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest Houshold et al. 1999 Lyons River

Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest Houshold et al. 1999 Lyons River

Cold spring

(karstic)


Tufa-depositing

spring


Cold spring

(karstic)


Cold spring

(karstic)


Cold spring

(karstic)


Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Dogs Head Hill

Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest

(Protection Zone)

Houshold et al. 1999 Main Rivulet

Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest

(Protection Zone)

Houshold et al. 1999 Main Rivulet

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Dogs Head Hill

Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest Houshold et al. 1999 Bowry Creek

Warm spring State forest Joyce 2003 Hastings




Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest

(Protection Zone)

R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Dogs Head Hill

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Dogs Head Hill

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Dogs Head Hill

Cold spring

(karstic)

State forest S. Bunton unpub. data Hastings

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Dogs Head Hill

Cold spring

(karstic)

Other Crown

land

Eberhard 1991 Loongana

Cold spring

(karstic)

Regional Reserve Eberhard 1991 Loongana

Cold spring

(karstic)


Cold spring

(karstic)


Mound spring State forest

(Protection)

(Private land?

Eberhard 1991 Loongana

Mound spring Private land Eberhard 1991 Loongana

Cold spring

(karstic)


Cold spring

(karstic)


Cold spring

(karstic)


Cold spring

(karstic)


Cold spring

(karstic)


Cold spring

(karstic)


Cold spring

(karstic)


Cold spring

(karstic)


Cold spring

(karstic)


Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Mayberry

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Mayberry




Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Dogs Head Hill

Cold spring

(karstic)



data

Loatta

Tufa-depositing

spring


Tufa-depositing

spring

Private land Eberhard 1991 Gunns Plains

Cold spring

(karstic)

Regional Reserve S. Eberhard 1994 Gunns Plains

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Loatta

Cold spring State forest R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Lake MacKenzie

Rd

Cold spring State forest R. Eberhard unpub.

data

Liena

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Liena

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Liena

Cold spring

(karstic)


Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Liena

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Liena

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Chudleigh

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Chudleigh

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Chudleigh

Cold spring

(karstic)


Subsurface stream State Reserve GDE workshop (9 Dec

2003)

Mt Barrow

Subsurface stream State forest

(Protection Zone)

Sharples 1995 Mt Punter


(Protection Zone)



(Protection Zone)

Sharples 1995 Mt St John




Subsurface stream State forest Sharples 1995 Mt Punter


(Protection Zone)


Karst depression National Park - Weld River




Subsurface stream National Park - Tyenna Peak

Subsurface stream National Park - Tyenna Peak

Cold spring

(karstic)


data

Chudleigh

Subsurface stream Wellington Park - Mt Wellington

Subsurface stream Wellington Park - Mt Wellington

Cold spring National Park M. Pemberton pers.

comm.

Stephens Bay

Cold spring Conservation

Area

M. Pemberton pes.

comm.

Birthday Bay

Balfour Warm

Spring

Warm spring State forest Tasmanian

Geoconservation

Database

Balfour

Documents

A Desktop Assessment of Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems in