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.

Tropical freshwater fish assemblages monitored in Kakadu National Park were measured using underwater videography, and counted by trained human observers and artificial intelligence (AI). Over 3 years of monitoring, both AI and trained human observers detected the same changes in overall fish assemblage composition. However, AI consistenly underestimated the abundance of small-growing schooling fish. Image credit: Andrew Jansen.

This article belongs to the collection Ecological Monitoring and Assessment of Freshwater Ecosystems: New Trends and Future Challenges.

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.

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.

Underwater vegetation is critical to protect clear-water shallow lakes. However, agriculture has increased nutrients levels in lakes, and with introduced fish and weeds this has led to the degradation of many lakes with loss of underwater plants. Restoration efforts often reduce nutrients and control fish, but seldom re-establish underwater vegetation. We focus on selecting lakes with suitable habitat, which plant species to use and improving bottom sediments, enabling re-establishment of underwater vegetation leading to a return of desired lake condition.

This article belongs to the collection Ecology and Management of Aquatic Macrophytes.