scholarly journals Managing Australia's Scarce Water Resources for the Environment

2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard T. Kingsford
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
State Level ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystem ◽  
Freshwater Turtles ◽  
Ramsar Convention ◽  
Murray Darling Basin ◽  
International Importance ◽  
Scarce Water

Australia has 12 major drainage basins, but most water use and extraction comes from the Murray- Darling Basin, despite not having Australia?s more populous cities. About 66% of surface water use in Australia is extracted from the rivers of the Murray-Darling Basin (NLWRA 2001). The ecological impacts are widespread and insurmountable: key ecosystems are in various stages of collapse. Many of these are conservation reserves and wetlands recognized for their international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Populations of native fish species are considered to be only at 10% of pre European levels with 46% of the 35 fish species now listed as threatened at state level (MDBC 2004). Waterbird populations are also declining significantly, sometimes up to 80% over a period of about 25 years (Kingsford and Thomas 2004; Nebel et al. 2008). Many communities of floodplain vegetation are also in decline. The River Murray no longer breaks through the sand barriers to naturally flow out to sea, with flow now only maintained by a dredge (costing ~$100,000 per week) to ensure that sand does not completely block the Murray mouth. The lower lakes are below sea level for the first time in more than 7,000 years and marine incursions into this freshwater ecosystem have allowed colonies of marine worms Ficopomatus enigmaticus to build their calcareous colonies on the backs of freshwater turtles and crabs weighing them down.

scholarly journals Scavenging by threatened turtles regulates freshwater ecosystem health during fish kills

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Santori ◽  
Ricky-John Spencer ◽  
Michael B. Thompson ◽  
Camilla M. Whittington ◽  
Thomas H. Burd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Ecosystem Health ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystem ◽  
Freshwater Species ◽  
Freshwater Turtles ◽  
Fish Kills ◽  
Murray Darling Basin ◽  
Ecological Implications ◽  
Mesocosm Experiments

Abstract Humans are increasing the frequency of fish kills by degrading freshwater ecosystems. Simultaneously, scavengers like freshwater turtles are declining globally, including in the Australian Murray–Darling Basin. Reduced scavenging may cause water quality problems impacting both ecosystems and humans. We used field and mesocosm experiments to test whether scavenging by turtles regulates water quality during simulated fish kills. In the field, we found that turtles were important scavengers of fish carrion. In mesocosms, turtles rapidly consumed carrion, and water quality in mesocosms with turtles returned to pre-fish kill levels faster than in turtle-free controls. Our experiments have important ecological implications, as they suggest that turtles are critical scavengers that regulate water quality in freshwater ecosystems. Recovery of turtle populations may be necessary to avoid the worsening of ecosystem health, particularly after fish kills, which would have devastating consequences for many freshwater species.

Barmah-Millewa forest environmental water allocation

2002 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 217-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Stewart ◽  
B. Harper
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Community Participation ◽  
Forest Ecosystem ◽  
Water Allocation ◽  
Environmental Water ◽  
Ramsar Convention ◽  
Murray Darling Basin ◽  
Murray River ◽  
International Importance ◽  
Developing Area

The formal allocation of water for the environment is a developing area of river management both scientifically and in terms of community participation. This case study, illustrating the recent use of the Barmah-Millewa Forest Environmental Water Allocation (EWA), provides a practical demonstration of community participation in environmental water management, the application of hydrological and biological “triggers” and a positive, demonstrable biological outcome from an environmental water allocation. The Barmah-Millewa Forest covers an area of 70,000 ha across the floodplain of the Murray River, upstream of the town of Echuca. About half the forest is in NSW (Millewa) and half is in Victoria (Barmah). The Barmah Forest is a Wetland of International Importance listed under the Convention on Wetlands - Ramsar Convention. The forest is the largest river redgum forest in the world. The natural flooding cycle associated with the forest has been significantly altered by regulation of the Murray River - impacting upon the overall health of the forest ecosystem. Recognising this, the Murray Darling Basin Commission developed a water management strategy for the forest to enhance forest, fish and wildlife values. To implement this strategy, between 1990 and 1993 reports were completed and community consultation took place. In 1993 the Murray Darling Basin Ministerial Council approved allocation of 100 Gigalitres of water per year, provided in equal shares by NSW and Victoria, to meet the needs of the forest ecosystem and in 1994 the Barmah-Millewa Forum was established under the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement. The vision for the Forum is to maintain and, where possible, improve the ecological and productive sustainability of the Barmah-Millewa Forest and to establish a planning and operational framework to better meet the flooding and drying requirements of the riparian forests and wetlands. Between October 2000 and January 2001 the Barmah-Millewa Forest Environmental Water Allocation was used for the second time. A total of 341 GL was released as an EWA. This amount represented only 8% of the total flows downstream of Yarrawonga Weir from September 2000 and January 2001. The strategic use of the relatively small amount of water enabled flooding to be maintained and ensured significant breeding success for water birds and other biota in the Forest.

Assessment of Water Footprint in Selected Crops: A State Level Appraisal

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-25
Author(s):  
Mohammad Suhail
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Water Footprint ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
State Level ◽  
Soil Survey ◽  
National Bureau ◽  
Blue Water ◽  
Total Water Consumption ◽  
Balanced Approach ◽  
Green Component

Every commodity or goods has intake of water i.e. either in processing or furnished stage. Thus, the present study propensities macro-level (states-level) water footprint (WFP) assessment of selected eight crops namely, Wheat, Barley, Maize, Millets, Rice, Sorghum, Soybeans and Tea. The aim of present research is to assess water use in selected crops at field level. In addition, the spatial evaluation at state level also considered as one of the significant objective to understand regional disparity and/or similarly. Methodology and approach of assessment was adopted from Water Footprint Assessment Manual (2011). Data was collected from state Agricultural Directorate, National Bureau of Soil Survey and landuse, published reports and online database such as FAOSTAT, WMO, WFN, and agriculture census. Results show that green component of WFP contributes large fraction as about 72 percent, while blue and grey component amounted of about 19 and 9 percent of the total water consumption, respectively. Moreover, spatial variability of blue, green and grey among the states assimilated by soil regime and climate barriers. Supply of blue water is high where the region imparted to semi-arid or arid land. Consequently, a balanced approach between green and blue water use has been recommended in the present study to address increasing water demand in the future.

scholarly journals Direct and indirect water use within the Australian economy

Water Policy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 1227-1239
Author(s):  
Beatriz Reutter ◽  
Paul A. Lant ◽  
Joe L. Lane
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
State Level ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Temporal Analysis ◽  
Input Output ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Australian Economy ◽  
Australian Bureau Of Statistics

Abstract We present the first analysis of water use in the Australian economy to account for inter-state trade, exports and consumption patterns, across all economic sectors and incorporating a temporal analysis. This is achieved by using the environmentally extended input-output technique, combining state-level input-output and water accounts from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Results show that the three big eastern economies (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland) rely mostly on water used within their jurisdictions. Approximately one-third of water consumption is for exported commodities, with the biggest export flows of virtual water being associated with agricultural production. Comparing results across the years (2000–2011), the water consumption associated with the provision of goods and services has decreased by 32% for exports, and by 38% for domestic markets. To date in Australia, the focus for improved trans-boundary water management (within Australia) has been on improved mechanisms for sharing physical allocation of water; these results provide the trans-boundary economic dependencies related to water availability. Recent innovations in the compilation of economic input-output models create an opportunity to progress this analysis, exploring in detail the economy–water interlinkages. It is our intention that the paper shows the value of analysing water flows using the multi-regional input-output techniques.

scholarly journals Intraspecific variation in thermal tolerance differs between tropical and temperate fishes

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. H. Nati ◽  
M. B. S. Svendsen ◽  
S. Marras ◽  
S. S. Killen ◽  
J. F. Steffensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Intraspecific Variation ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Thermal Tolerance ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Temperate Species ◽  
Tropical Species ◽  
Upper Thermal Tolerance

AbstractHow ectothermic animals will cope with global warming is a critical determinant of the ecological impacts of climate change. There has been extensive study of upper thermal tolerance limits among fish species but how intraspecific variation in tolerance may be affected by habitat characteristics and evolutionary history has not been considered. Intraspecific variation is a primary determinant of species vulnerability to climate change, with implications for global patterns of impacts of ongoing warming. Using published critical thermal maximum (CTmax) data on 203 fish species, we found that intraspecific variation in upper thermal tolerance varies according to a species’ latitude and evolutionary history. Overall, tropical species show a lower intraspecific variation in thermal tolerance than temperate species. Notably, freshwater tropical species have a lower variation in tolerance than freshwater temperate species, which implies increased vulnerability to impacts of thermal stress. The extent of variation in CTmax among fish species has a strong phylogenetic signal, which may indicate a constraint on evolvability to rising temperatures in tropical fishes. That is, in addition to living closer to their upper thermal limits, tropical species may have higher sensitivity and lower adaptability to global warming compared to temperate counterparts. This is evidence that freshwater tropical fish communities, worldwide, are especially vulnerable to ongoing climate change.

An Overview of the Determination of Biodiversity of Wetlands

2022 ◽  
pp. 150-170
Author(s):  
Moumit Roy Goswami ◽  
Aniruddha Mukhopadhyay
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Plants ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Ecological Health ◽  
Ramsar Convention ◽  
Wetland Ecosystems ◽  
Wetland Biodiversity ◽  
International Importance ◽  
Water Birds

Wetland ecosystems support rich and unique biodiversity. Biodiversity of a given ecosystem in general and wetlands in particular provide important insights to the ecological health of an area. The Ramsar Convention 1971 identified nine criteria for identifying wetlands of international importance. Out of the nine criteria, eight are linked to biodiversity of which three are based on sites of international importance for conserving biological diversity, two are specific for water birds, two are specific for fish, and one criterion for other taxa. Hence, determination of biodiversity of wetlands is of utmost importance. In order to understand that birds, fishes, amphibians, odonates, mammals, and aquatic plants were particularly selected as indicators of wetland biodiversity, the chapter discusses the different methodologies about determination of each of these taxa under different criteria as mentioned above. These methodologies will help various stakeholders in appropriate determination of biodiversity of wetlands of a particular area.

scholarly journals Effects of Consumptive Water Use on Biodiversity in Wetlands of International Importance

2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (21) ◽  
pp. 12248-12257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Verones ◽  
Dominik Saner ◽  
Stephan Pfister ◽  
Daniele Baisero ◽  
Carlo Rondinini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Consumptive Water Use ◽  
International Importance ◽  
Consumptive Water

scholarly journals Population trends and priority conservation sites for Mexican Duck Anas diazi

2001 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Perez-Arteaga ◽  
K. J. Gaston ◽  
M. Kershaw
Keyword(s):  
Ramsar Convention ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Large Fluctuations ◽  
International Importance ◽  
Current Minimum ◽  
Central Highlands ◽  
Key Sites ◽  
Long Term Trend ◽  
Northern Highlands

Little is known about Mexican Duck Anas diazi biology and populations. We analyse long-term (1960–2000) trends of Mexican Duck numbers in Mexico and employ contemporary count data (1991–2000) from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service midwinter surveys to identify key sites for conservation using a complementarity approach. The overall Mexican Duck population showed a significant long-term increase of 2.5% per year, with large fluctuations throughout the study period. The Northern highlands population increased at an annual rate of 7.7%, while the Central highlands population showed no significant long-term trend. During the last decade, counts in both the Northern and Central highlands exhibited no significant change. At the site level, significant long-term increases occurred in four localities in the Northern highlands (Laguna Bab�cora +13.9% annually, Laguna Bustillos +25.9%, Laguna Mexicanos +20.4% and Laguna Santiaguillo +16.9%) and in three localities in the Central highlands (Languillo +15.3% annually, Presa Solís +8.9%, Zacapu +13.4%). Two sites in the Central highlands showed significant declines, in the long term (Lago de Chapala, -5.2% per year) and during the last decade (Lerma, -11.8% per year). The Northern highlands held 16% and the Central highlands 84% of the Mexican Duck population in the period 1960–2000; during the last decade, these figures were 31% and 69%, respectively. A set of priority sites for conservation of the Mexican Duck was identified, consisting of 15 sites holding more than 70% of the midwinter Mexican Duck counts in Mexico. Ten sites from the priority set also qualify for designation as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, by holding ≥ 1% of the estimated population. Four of the priority sites are in the Northern highlands and 11 in the Central highlands, of which eight are distributed along the Rio Lerma drainage. The most urgent actions that need to be undertaken are to estimate the current minimum population size in Mexico; to establish a programme for monitoring populations in the priority sites, especially those located within the highly degraded Rio Lerma drainage; and to determine the most feasible management actions for the species, concentrating efforts around the priority sites.

First record of the spider genus Wolongia Zhu, Kim & Song, 1997 from India with the description of a new species (Araneae, Tetragnathidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4407 (1) ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
JOBI J. MALAMEL ◽  
KARUNNAPPILLI SHAMSUDHEEN NAFIN ◽  
PRADEEP M. SANKARAN ◽  
POTHALIL A. SEBASTIAN
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Yunnan Province ◽  
Southwest China ◽  
First Record ◽  
Southern India ◽  
Nominal Species ◽  
Ramsar Convention ◽  
International Importance ◽  
Kerala State ◽  
A New Species

Zhu et al. (1997) erected the tetragnathid genus Wolongia to accommodate Wolongia guoi Zhu, Kim & Song, 1997 and Wolongia wangi Zhu, Kim & Song, 1997 collected from the Sichuan and Shaanxi Provinces in China. In 2009, Ping et al. described Wolongia odontodes from the Gaoligong Mountains and remained with a nominal representation after the erection of the genus. This situation was somewhat rectified by Jin-long Wan & Xian-jin Peng (2013) reporting seven new species from the Gaoligong Mountains (Yunnan Province, southwest China). The genus currently with ten nominal species; three are known only from females, while seven are from both sexes (World Spider Catalog 2017). During our survey in Pathiramanal Island we found an undescribed Wolongia species. This is one of the most diverse areas of the Kerala state of Southern India, situated in the Vembanad Lake, a Ramsar Convention (2013) site (wetland of international importance). In this paper, we describe this new species and provide the first report of Wolongia from India. 

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