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"Cost
Effective Water Treatment Through Riparian Revegetation in Queensland
Australia"
Emese T. Schloegl
Undergraduate Student
University of Southern California
ABSTRACT:
Riparian zones provide many ecosystem services, including improving water
quality. Deforestation and the use of creeks by local pastures have
degraded the riparian zone along the lower Peterson Creek on the Atherton
Tablelands in North Queensland, Australia. Consequently, sediment loads
and water treatment costs have increased. As a result, Landcare, a federal
environmental group, began to revegetate the area.
This study aims to determine if these efforts have been successful and
also to establish the costs and benefits associated with water quality
improvements. Observations were made along the lower Peterson Creek and
local officials were interviewed. We were able to find the total
costs-to-date of revegetation, the annual costs of water treatment and
filtration, and the possible benefits for the future if sediment loads are
reduced. Thus far, revegetation has not had much effect on water quality.
However, other studies promise that there should soon be a positive
effect. Although there are high initial costs involved with riparian
revegetation, there is a potential for worthwhile benefits in the long
run.
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