Case studies

Waterbird breeding and movements: knowledge for water managers

By quantifying waterbird survival rates, movements, and their drivers, particularly the relative influence of flow variables, habitat variables, pressures and threats, we will assist environmental water managers to better identify, maintain or restore key waterbird habitats.

Determining response of methane seeps on river ecology and function

CSIRO are assessing whether methane seeps in a river have any direct effect on the water quality and ecological status of the river. There is little or no literature that describes this issue in flowing systems.

Application of environmental DNA (eDNA) approaches to answer ecological questions

CSIRO are using environmental DNA (eDNA) approaches to answer ecological questions in freshwater ecosystems

Understanding ecological trajectories of change in the Murray-Darling Basin

The Challenge In the Murray-Darling Basin, consumptive water use coupled with high natural variability in river flows has resulted in […]

Scoping the development of a method to assess relative environmental benefits of Complementary Measures

CSIRO led the development of a method, underpinned by an evidence-based conceptual framework, for assessing the relative environmental benefits (and dis-benefits) of complementary measures in supporting the achievement of the Basin Plan’s environmental objectives.

Murray-Darling Basin Plan Sustainable Diversion Limit: Ecological Elements Method

The Murray-Darling Basin Plan aims to achieve a healthy, sustainable, working Basin by balancing environmental, economic and social considerations. The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), using a framework developed with the CSIRO, evaluates projects where less water is needed to deliver the environmental benefits of 2750 GL of recovered water.

Northern Australian Water Resource Assessment: Freshwater and Marine Environmental Assessment

The Northern Australia has extensive ecosystems that are largely untouched with rich biodiversity and numerous unique inland and marine ecosystems that support conservation and cultural values and tourism and commercial industries.

Flood inundation mapping in the Murray-Darling Basin: River Murray Flood Inundation Model

Before human modification, floodplain riparian species established in relation to a natural flow regime where trees along river banks were inundated once every 1-2 years and floodplain trees, once every 3-5 years or even 10 depending on the species.

Linking river flow and ecology in Nepal

Providing an understanding of riverine ecological indicators, building in-country research capacity and understanding the role of environmental flows are all fundamental to prevent future environmental degradation in Nepal.

Response of riparian vegetation to drought and flood

In the past, estimates of water requirements of floodplain trees were based on past hydrology and inundation trends rather than quantitative measurements to understand how trees use water (when, where from in the soil profile) and the drivers of tree condition.