44 9.3.1.4 Habitat The Gladstone headwater gully contained a sequence of defined stream channels and flatter riparian areas, with the sequence repeated down watercourse until it intersects with the Gladstone wetland. The channel varied in width from 0.35 – 0.8 m within the stream areas and 0.6 – 8.0 m within the flatter riparian benched areas. Water velocity was slower within the wider and flatter wetland areas. No pools were present within the stream channel habitat. The stream bed was dominated by silt/sand with some bedrock and small pieces of wood also present. Macrophytes were not present along the stream reach. 9.3.1.5 Macroinvertebrate Communities A macroinvertebrate sample was obtained from one of the water pooling areas within the headwater gully. Fifteen macroinvertebrate taxa were recorded from the headwater gully feature. No EPT taxa were present. The most abundant taxa were Collembola (springtails) which accounted for 57% of all individuals present. Collembola are not a truly aquatic species but are common along stream margins where they feed on plant detritus. The chironomid midge Polypedilum was the next most abundant taxa accounting for 25% of all individuals present. These midges are found in streams of widely varying water quality where they often burrow into soft plant matter. The MCI-sb score for the headwater gully was 91 which is indicative of ‘Fair’ water quality and habitat characteristics (Stark and Maxted 2007). 9.3.1.6 Fish Populations Electro-fishing was undertaken within the small pools within the upper headwater gully sample reach. No fish species were observed or collected during the survey. 9.3.1.7 Stream Ecological Valuation The SEV assessment undertaken at Gladstone headwater tributary resulted in a score of 0.617, which is indicative of a ‘good’ quality habitat. The individual attribute scores are provided in Appendix 5. 9.3.1.8 Assessment Against NPS-FM We do not consider that the revegetated headwater gully meets the definition of a natural wetland, because it does not contain areas of wet ground (other than in the well-defined channel). Areas of wet-tolerant vegetation are planted on benches (i.e., not naturally established) and hence is not a “natural” ecosystem of plants. Accordingly, the NESF regulations relevant to wetlands do not apply to the Gladstone headwater tributary. 9.3.1.9 Ecological Values The Gladstone headwater gully has no features that meet the significance threshold under the RPS Section 11A criteria and the stream values are of moderate ecological value (Table 15)
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