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Increased soil erosion

Reduced ground cover

Increased water nutrient concentrations

Increased water sediment load

Increased water chemical contamination

Streambank and bed degradation

Reduced riparian vegetation

Reduced water faecal contamination

Impacts

In this context, faecal contamination refers to the presence of wastewater containing faecal matter (either animal or human).  Contaminated water often contains high levels of harmful micro-organisms and bacteria, such as faecal coliform, that may cause adverse effects in living organisms.  The decay of faecal contaminants uses dissolved oxygen and releases nutrients.  These nutrients stimulate the growth of aquatic organisms, particularly plants and algae, which in turn die and decay using oxygen.  Thus the presence of faecal contamination is often associated with a decline in dissolved oxygen levels that impacts aquatic fauna, e.g. fish kills.     

Suggested indicators: Faecal coliforms in water*

Increased water faecal contamination may be associated with:

*Yet to be developed