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Publication Date
January 2004
Abstract
To provide a framework for assessment of mine development projects in the Pilbara, as well to plan conservation of groundwater biodiversity, the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM) is undertaking a five-year survey (2002 to 2007) of Pilbara stygofauna. The project aims to map regional patterns in subterranean biodiversity by sampling the range of groundwater environments that can be accessed via bores, wells, caves, springs, spring-brooks and hyporheic habitats. The first year of sampling has revealed many new stygal species, and indicate that stygofauna is abundant and widely distributed across the region, and occurs in several different aquifer types. Seventy-one per cent of 355 bore/well samples yielded stygofauna. Modifications to sampling equipment and sampling protocol may have contributed to higher recovery rates of stygofauna than reported in other survey work. The Pilbara stygofauna comprises at least 150 species belonging to 77 genera and 39 families. The Pilbara is an important region for subterranean biodiversity. -- Authors Open Access - Permission by Publisher See Extended description for more information.
Keywords
Australia, Biology, Cave Ecology
Type
Conference Proceeding
Publisher
Subterranean Ecology, Scientific Environmental Services
Identifier
K26-00446
Recommended Citation
Barron, Harley J.; Cocking, James; and Eberhard, Stefan, "Assessment and conservation of aquatic life in the subsurface of the Pilbara region, Western Australia" (2004). KIP Talks and Conferences. 28.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/kip_talks/28
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