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.

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.

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.

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.