Drivers of riparian condition to prioritise restoration, regeneration and revegetation in the NSW: North Coast Bioregion

Ecohealth is a comprehensive catchment-scale monitoring framework for ecosystem health in the NSW North Coast Bioregion. Riparian vegetation is a critical component of the Ecohealth program as it plays a geomorphic and biological role to support diverse habitats that contain high levels of biodiversity. The Ecohealth riparian vegetation condition is determined by a site-based rapid riparian assessment and spatial data for catchment scale condition. Indicators include cover, composition, structure, habitat and connectivity of vegetation, with a focus on mechanisms regulating vegetation condition such as fencing, clearing, animal impacts and regeneration. From upland tablelands to coastal floodplains and estuaries, declines in riparian communities from reference condition was found to be significantly affected by landuse across the Bioregion. We used riparian condition classes to highlight mechanisms that drive riparian condition and identify management priorities for investment. Key drivers of riparian condition in the Bioregion are weed control (restoration), riparian fencing and removal of stock (regeneration) and riparian plantings (revegetation). Regional scale assessments of riparian condition using site-based data are rare and are important for understanding spatial patterns and drivers of condition to inform management priorities.