Jane Chambers

The Vasse-Wonnerup Estuary is a relatively small, shallow and nutrient-enriched system which undergoes pronounced changes in salinity. The estuary provides an important habitat and refuge area for birds and, as a result, has been awarded RAMSAR status. However, despite the recognized importance of this system it has become severely degraded through the input of nutrients. This study aims to (i) describe the spatial and temporal trends benthic invertebrate faunal composition within the system and (ii) compare this fauna to that found in other degraded estuarine environments such as the Peel-Harvey and Swan-Canning in both the 1980s and more recently (2000s).