We tracked golden perch in the highly modified Gwydir River to understand their response to different flows and the effect of barriers. Normally considered highly mobile, we found our golden perch to be highly constrained and largely sedentary, with little apparent connection to the wider population. The recovery and restoration of golden perch in the Murray–Darling Basin will require societal change.

This article belongs to the collection Environmental flows in northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice.

Quantifying flow-related movements of Murray cod and golden perch subject to differing levels of flow regulation is important for water management decision-making. Our study observed that movement patterns for either species were driven by combinations of discharge, river regulation, season, and body size. Tailored management strategies for these fish species should be developed on the basis of location, river regulation and flow regime.

This article belongs to the collection Environmental Flows in Northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice.

This study has shown how river regulation in the northern Murray–Darling Basin affects platypus populations, altering their habitats and food sources. Through trapping and DNA analysis, researchers found platypuses struggling downstream of dams, with potential local extinctions upstream, possibly with no access to drought refugia. The findings call for improved river management to safeguard these unique creatures and their ecosystems.

This article belongs to the collection Environmental Flows in Northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice.

We examined food-web structure and energy production during a managed flow in a floodplain wetland and found that duration of inundation had a significant effect on trophic dynamics. Sampling at three stages in the inundation cycle, we were able to describe changes in patterns of resource use and link energy provision and food quality to phases of invertebrate community succession.

This article belongs to the collection Environmental Flows in Northern Murray–Darling Basin.

Understanding fire and inundation impacts on wetland vegetation communities is crucial for effective post-fire wetland management. Here, we measured fire and inundation impacts on water-couch marshland in the Gwydir Wetlands and showed that fire was a major but short-term contributor to wetland vegetation change, whereas drought had longer-term impacts, and inundation regimes had the greatest impacts.

This article belongs to the collection Environmental flows in northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice.

Establishing the relationships between frogs and river flows that fill wetlands is important to guide the management of environmental water. Our study focused on the influence of flow and habitat on wetland frog breeding activity and breeding success. Although large areas of inundated wetland support high numbers of calling male frogs, wetlands also need sufficiently long inundation duration to increase breeding success.

This article belongs to the collection Environmental flows in northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice.

The Murray–Darling Basin provides critical breeding habitat that supports Australia’s waterbird populations. These birds breed opportunistically, in large rookeries, relying on suitable wetland conditions. We identified 52 wetland sites across the Basin where waterbirds were present in high abundances, 26 of these supported waterbird breeding. Using the breeding and non-breeding wetlands, we identified inundation and vegetation community thresholds associated with waterbird breeding. Understanding habitat requirements can be used in setting conservation targets to ensure waterbird populations are supported into the future.

This article belongs to the collection Environmental flows in northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice.

We rescued and temporarily housed multiple cold-water fauna (mountain-top associated fishes and crayfish) in reacting to extreme drought. In captivity, predation and aggression both within and among species reduced survivorship. Further experimentation, adaptive management and infrastructure development is required to prepare for future rescues of cold-water fauna, based on likely climate-change scenarios.

This article belongs to the collection Environmental flows in northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice.

This study investigated the survival and movement of Emydura macquarii, Chelodina longicollis and Chelodina expansa in the Gwydir Wetlands of New South Wales. E. macquarii and C. longicollis were tracked using radiotelemetry and our findings suggest that they navigate terrestrially. Freshwater turtles isolated in drier regions of the Murray–Darling Basin are at high risk of mortality in severe drought.

This article belongs to the collection Environmental Flows in Northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice.

We developed a learning approach for managing water for the environment, globally, as learning is essential for effective and successful management. This learning approach is exemplified using the Macquarie River and Marshes in the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia. To improve ongoing learning in managing water for the environment, we recommend institutionalising learning, increasing flexibility in governance arrangements, fostering social-learning capacity, and developing explicit learning understanding by nurturing learning mandates and champions.

This article belongs to the collection Environmental Flows in Northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice.

Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus coolabah are floodplain trees found in the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB). This long-term study observed the timing and abundance of buds, flowers and fruits at sites in the northern MDB and looked for patterns that would indicate the influence of river flows. Bud abundance, canopy seed storage and seed fall were influenced by moisture availability in both species. Image credit: J. L. Kerr.

This article belongs to the collection Environmental flows in northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice.

Dryland wetland vegetation is both highly sensitive and remarkably resilient to environmental change. In the short term, this includes rapid responses to wetting and drying. Over extended periods, these ecosystems recover impressively from major environmental disturbances such as mega-droughts or wildfire. As the effects of climate change intensify, the resilience of dryland wetlands will be challenged, leading to scenarios of persistence, transformation or disappearance. With a focus on Australia’s northern Murray–Darling Basin, we explore the wetland policy and management implications.

This article belongs to the collection Environmental Flows in Northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice.