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Queensland Government
WetlandInfo   —   Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation

Salinity – State

Salinity – State

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Flow chart showing the major elements associated with conductivity management

Click on elements of the flow chart or select from the tabs below

Physical-chemical state

Changes to the ion load entering a wetland can affect:

  • soil salinity
  • water conductivity.

Conductivity is a measure of the amount of salt present. It is an important ecological parameter in its own right but is also important in some chemical processes and may result in stratification of waters.
Physical-chemical state indicators
Condition indicator: conductivity (water)
Condition indicator: conductivity (soil)

Biological impacts

Changes to the soil salinity and/or water conductivity of a wetland can result in:

  • a loss of sensitive species
  • mass mortality events
  • altered community structure.

Ion rich water entering a wetland may results in a loss of sensitive species and a change in community structure with more salt tolerant species dominating.

Last updated: 22 March 2013

This page should be cited as:

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2013) Salinity – State, WetlandInfo website, accessed 14 April 2025. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/management/pressures/lacustrine-palustrine-threats/conductivity/state.html