Floodplain Wetland Biota in the Murray-Darling Basin

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Water and Habitat Requirements

Edited by: Kerrylee Rogers, Timothy J Ralph

eBook - November 2010 - eRetailers

Addresses the need for an improved understanding of the biota of Australian freshwater wetlands.

Floodplain wetlands of the Murray-Darling Basin provide critical habitat for numerous species of flora and fauna, yet the ecology of these wetlands is threatened by a range of environmental issues. This book addresses the urgent need for an improved ecohydrological understanding of the biota of Australian freshwater wetlands. + Full description

It synthesises key water and habitat requirements for 35 species of plants, 48 species of waterbirds, 17 native and four introduced species of fish, 15 species of frogs, and 16 species of crustaceans and molluscs found in floodplain wetlands of the Murray-Darling Basin. Each species profile includes: the influence of water regimes on the survival, health and condition of the species; key stimuli for reproduction and germination; habitat and dietary preferences; as well as major knowledge gaps for the species.

Floodplain Wetland Biota in the Murray-Darling Basin also provides an overview of the likely impacts of hydrological change on wetland ecosystems and biota, in the context of climate change and variability, with implications for environmental management. This important book provides an essential baseline for further education, scientific research and management of floodplain wetland biota in the Murray-Darling Basin.

- Short description

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This title is no longer available in print format. Customers can still purchase the eBook editions via the retailer links above.

Reviews

"Floodplain Wetland Biota and the Murray-Darling Basin is a timely addition to the body of knowledge linking hydrology and ecology in the dynamic and complex system of the Basin, and is a ‘must read’ for anyone working on and interested in how the Basin ‘works’. It is one of the first truly ecohydrological efforts to focus on a range of obvious and not-so-obvious taxa. It is an authoritative, comprehensive and essential reference for Basin managers, policy makers and researchers, and an enjoyable read to boot!"
Dr Gina Newton, Australasian Plant Conservation, Vol 19 No 4, March - May 2011

"The crustaceans and molluscs chapter is particularly illuminating reading for anyone who thinks they know everything about the Basin’s biota.

Overall, Floodplain Wetland Biota fulfils its aims and is a valuable contribution to what seems to be a relatively new field, and should be on the shelf of anyone working in or with an interest in the Basin. Hopefully it will not be alone there for long."
Joanne Ocock, Austral Ecology (2011) 36, e39

Details

ePDF | November 2010
ISBN: 9780643100992
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Available from eRetailers

ePUB | November 2010
ISBN: 9780643102194
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Available from eRetailers

Features

Provides an overview of floodplain wetlands in the Murray-Darling Basin and their key freshwater biota (flora and fauna)
Includes information on water and habitat requirements in the form of succinct species profiles
Focuses on the influence of water regimes on the survival, health and condition of species, the key stimuli for reproduction and germination, their habitat and dietary preferences, and identifies major knowledge gaps
Summary of the likely impacts of hydrological change on wetland ecosystems and biota in the Murray-Darling Basin
Outlines the needs and challenges for development and integration of ecohydrological knowledge of freshwater biota for management planning and environmental watering
Provides an essential baseline for further education, scientific research and management of floodplain wetland biota in the Murray-Darling Basin

Chapter 1 Floodplain wetlands of the Murray-Darling Basin and their freshwater biota
Chapter 2 Vegetation
Chapter 3 Waterbirds
Chapter 4 Fish
Chapter 5 Frogs
Chapter 6 Crustaceans and molluscs
Chapter 7 Impacts of hydrological changes on floodplain
Chapter 8 Management of water for floodplain wetland biota
Glossary
Index

View the full table of contents (PDF).

Authors

Kerrylee Rogers has had over 12 years' research experience in wetlands, including floodplain wetlands, coastal wetlands (fresh and saline) and alpine wetlands. She is currently employed as a research scientist with the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water and was previously employed as a lecturer and research associate at a number of universities. She has published numerous peer-reviewed papers and research reports.

Timothy J Ralph has research and environmental management experience in the fields of fluvial geomorphology, soil science and ecology. Previously a Senior Environmental Scientist at the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, Tim is currently a Lecturer in Environmental Science in the Department of Environment and Geography at Macquarie University, Sydney.