The study will describe the diversity and abundance of aquatic plants and invertebrates at each site, and attempt to identify the major environmental and biotic determinants, with particular reference to differences between sites in hydrological and management regimes. The results will be used to formulate recommendations for ways to optimise site management for maximum abundance and diversity of plants and invertebrates. Such improvements should, in turn, lead to increases in the carrying capacity of the wetlands for wintering and breeding waterbirds.