Wetland Surveys

Bennelongia provides expert aquatic fauna surveys and specialized assessments for Western Australia’s Ramsar-listed wetlands. Our team has experience in wetland ecology and managing the implications of the Ramsar Convention and Commonwealth EPBC Act.

We provide:

  • Comprehensive Wetland Surveys – Covering freshwater and saline habitats across Western Australia.
  • AusRivAS assessment of river conditions.
  • Specialized Identification of aquatic invertebrates.
  • Assessment and management of fish and freshwater turtle populations.

Wetland Ecology

Wetlands range from freshwater streams to swamps, salt lakes, and estuaries. They are vital to the Australian landscape, yet they face increasing pressure from urbanization, industry, and agriculture. On the Swan Coastal Plain alone, over 70% of wetlands have been lost or significantly altered since the 1980s.

Aquatic invertebrates play an important role in wetland ecosystems, driving energy transfer by breaking down organic matter and providing crucial sustenance for waterbirds and other wildlife. As they are highly sensitive to environmental change and monitoring the composition of these invertebrate communities serves as a key indicator of environmental health.

Despite the arid nature of much of the region, Western Australia has a rich and highly endemic invertebrate fauna, particularly within temporary waters and salt lakes. New species are regularly discovered, including our namesake, the ostracod Bennelongia.

Wetland Surveys

Aquatic Invertebrates

Aquatic invertebrates live at least part of their life in wetlands that can range from freshwater streams to swamps, salt lakes and estuaries. They have an important role in energy transfer in wetlands, breaking down algae and other plant matter providing food for waterbirds and other animals. The composition of the aquatic invertebrate community has often been used an indicator of wetland health.

Aquatic invertebrates often affect people directly through nuisance value (midges) and being disease vectors (mosquitoes). On a more positive note, despite the arid nature of most of the State, Western Australia has a rich and highly endemic invertebrate fauna. This is particularly true of the species found in temporary waters and salt lakes. New species are constantly being discovered, including new species of Bennelongia (the ostracod crustacean after which our company was named).

Bennelongia staff have undertaken aquatic invertebrate surveys across most of Western Australia. With our large laboratory, state of the art microscopes, photographic systems and extensive voucher collections, we are uniquely qualified to undertake aquatic invertebrate surveys and identification.