Ecosystem Decline

Soil erosion | Soil degradation | Ecosystem decline

Ecosystem decline can include catchment salinity, vegetation decline, weed proliferation, invasion of pest animals and stream decline.

Farm dams and surrounding woody vegetation damaged by the accumulation of salt in this low part of the landscape		Catchment salinity Catchement salinity is where changes in the water balance of a catchment mobilises salt stores and concentrates the salts in low lying parts of the catchment. This concentration results in damage to vegetative cover and surface waters. An illustration is given on the Soil and landscape assessment in the upper Bet Bet Creek catchment page. Further information is available at the salinity management page.
Dying old silver wattles not being replace by new woody species		Vegetation decline Vegetation decline describes both the loss of mass and diversity of vegetation in the landscape. It also covers any increase in weediness of the vegetative structure. Further information is available at the vegetation management page.
The weed “wandering jew” dominating the understory in a conservation reserve		Weed proliferation Weed proliferation is the excess growth of undesirable plants such that intervention is required to reduce harm to the environment, the economy, human health or amenity. Further information is available in the Invasive Plants section.
A red fox on a night foray		Pest animals invasion Undesirable animals modify ecosystems through overgrazing or unaccustomed predation Further information about Victorian Pest Animals.
An example showing human intervention to control stream decline		Stream decline The loss of stream and riparian habitat associated with water works, low water flows, declining water quality, or degraded riverine habitat. Further information about Monitoring River Health.

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