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Response of the Coorong ecosystem to the impacts of the 2022–23 flood and high flows.
Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin is one of the most heavily regulated river systems in the world, however we still do not know the full impact of altered river flows on the receiving estuarine and lagoon environment during times of flood. Flow volumes, land use and water extraction in the Murray-Darling Basin effect the quantity and quality of water reaching the Murray Mouth and Coorong lagoons, with potentially cascading impacts of eutrophication and salination on the estuarine and lagoon ecosystem.
The 2022-23 River Murray flood event was the second largest high flow event in recorded history, and the largest since 1956. Understanding how high flows affect the environmental conditions of the Coorong lagoons, and the response of species to these changing conditions is critical to inform future water management and delivery to the region in the future. Research activities for this project will focus on:
1. Impacts on the Coorong ecosystem – Response of Coorong nutrient store and dynamics
2. Impacts on the Coorong ecosystem – Response of Coorong food web
3. On-ground ecological restoration actions – Macroinvertebrate translocations
Data collection, monitoring and field trips continue to collect data.
Outcomes from the project will provide valuable insights into the health and functioning of the Coorong ecosystem, enabling effective management and conservation strategies. This includes but is not limited to:
