5.2: Refugial Pools. Importance of waterholes as aquatic refugia and the biophysical processes that sustain them

Stuart Bunn — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 01:46:58 +0000

Project Number:

5.02

Proj Number:

502

Leader:

Prof Stuart Bunn

Abstract

<p>River waterholes are a critical refuge for aquatic plants and animals when rivers stop flowing and are also highly valued by local communities.  Unfortunately waterholes are also vulnerable to increasing water demands, uncontrolled stock access, fishing pressure and the effects of climate change.  This study seeks to understand how waterholes in northern Australia respond to such pressures.</p>

Outcomes

This research will help water resource managers determine the river flows necessary to maintain the plants and animals, and physical / chemical processes found in waterholes. A sound basis for determining environmental flows is a pre-requisite for ensuring north Australian rivers are not over-allocated for consumptive uses.

Waterhole foodwebs

TRaCK Project 502 Updates

5.2: Refugial Pools. Importance of waterholes as aquatic refugia and the biophysical processes that sustain them

Outcomes