Abstract
Runnelling is a minor and successful form of open marsh water management developed in Australia in the 1980s and integrated into mosquito control programs in the 1990s. While long-term monitoring and investigation of impacts has continued for one site, until recently there has been no assessment of operational runnelling more broadly across mosquito control agencies. This study addresses this issue. Forty-seven runnelled saltmarsh sites were assessed for runnel efficacy, function and condition. Issues impacting on runnel function, including both ecological and geomorphic processes, were noted. Data were mostly acquired from site inspections and discussions with mosquito control staff, with some records as available. Most runnels were constructed between 1990 and 2005, mainly using a dedicated runnelling machine. Almost half (49%) continued to contribute to mosquito control efficacy, either in part or fully, while half did not (51%). Efficacy was attributed to runnels being correctly configured in design, layout and construction and to relatively recent maintenance. Conversely, diminished efficacy was mostly attributed to ineffective hydrologic function, caused by vegetation blockages, erosion and/or deposition. Runnels alter tidal hydrology, affecting other ecological and geomorphic processes. These processes need to be managed to maintain runnel function and it is essential that monitoring and maintenance records are kept. Runnels can control mosquitoes for decades, provided ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the runnel system focusses on responding to early signs of impacts. Restoring degraded runnels should be undertaken using a runnel machine, however, changing environmental conditions may mean that a runnel should be ‘decommissioned’ instead.
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source and fringing mangroves encroaching onto marsh in the distance (Photo taken by JK)
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Data availability
The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Acknowledgements
The funding for the initial 2015 research was provided by the Mosquito and Arbovirus Research Committee and was supported by Mosquito Control personnel from Local Government including Tweed Shire Council (NSW) and City of Gold Coast Council, Redlands City Council, Logan City Council, Moreton Bay Regional Council, Sunshine Coast Council and Noosa Shire Council in Queensland where support included negotiating access, contributing to field assessments and by providing records about runnelling activities—planning, construction and maintenance. We thank the reviewers of the manuscript for their thoughtful suggestions and feedback.
Funding
Funding for data collection was provided to QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute by the Mosquito and Arbovirus Research Committee (Inc.). No funding was received to assist with the preparation of this manuscript.
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JMK—Original research, all aspects of the paper. SKM: intellectual development, manuscript revision, discussion and feedback. PERD: Original research. intellectual development, discussion and feedback.
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Knight, J.M., Marx, S.K. & Dale, P.E.R. Assessment of runnelling as a form of mosquito control in saltmarsh: efficacy, environmental impacts and management. Wetlands Ecol Manage 30, 1109–1127 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-021-09850-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-021-09850-4