Groundwater systems supporting stygofauna
The challenge
Groundwater-dwelling invertebrate (stygofauna) and microbial communities are increasingly under threat from resource development activities. Stygofauna and microbial communities provide important ecosystem services including water purification and nutrient cycling and are valued as indicators of groundwater ecosystem health. Despite decades of research to characterise the hydrogeological environments of stygofauna communities there is still limited understanding of many groundwater ecosystems globally.
Our response
To effectively monitor groundwater and stygofauna ecosystems, manage impacts and mitigate risks from development activities, a solid understanding of the hydrogeological environment supporting these ecosystems is needed. Investigations include desktop-based work and the collection and interpretation of hydrogeological field data, such as downhole camera footage and water quality, coupled with biological sampling, to inform if and how aquifers support stygofauna communities.
Stygofauna sampled from a groundwater bore.
The results
Research in locations such as the Beetaloo Sub-basin in the Northern Territory links hydrogeological and ecological studies to address knowledge gaps and improve our understanding of where stygofauna ecosystems exist, what environmental conditions support them, and whether they are vulnerable to resource development activities. Our research provides a scientific basis to assess potential impacts associated with resource development and inform monitoring, management and mitigation to support decision-making.
