Gwydir 2023-24 Annual Report - Appendix G DOM and productivity in wetland and channel systems

Previous monitoring in the Guwayda (Gwydir) River Selected Area has identified that ecosystem productivity, biodiversity and abundance of aquatic and aquatic dependent taxa are generally higher in wetland than channel sites. Wetlands in the Selected Area are recognised for their value in supporting landscape-scale biodiversity, and particularly for their role in maintaining waterbird populations through large-scale breeding events. Channels in the Guwayda (Gwydir) River are also important for maintaining native fish populations and facilitating their movement through the northern Basin. This study aimed to investigate the processes which might regulate productivity in each system type, and understand why they differ.