Caroline Canham
The University of Western Australia

Dr Caroline Canham

Research Fellow, University of Western Australia

See Dr Canham’s full research profile here.

Bio

Dr Canham is an environmental scientist with a research focus on understanding the water requirements of riparian and groundwater-dependent vegetation and working with decision-makers to develop research questions and encourage uptake of outputs. She has experience in collecting and analysing data from plant ecophysiological studies and vegetation surveys in south-western and northern Australia to address critical knowledge gaps, which are common for many freshwater systems.

Research outputs linked to policy change and decision-making

• Dr Canham was a key researcher within the transdisciplinary NESP NAERH Environmental water needs of the Fitzroy River project team. She led research on the water requirements of riparian vegetation in the lower Fitzroy River, Western Australia, investigating the relationships between surface and groundwater flows and riparian plants using a range of techniques including vegetation surveys, ecophysiological measurements, water isotope studies and remote sensing. She also had a significant contribution to the broader project, which developed a hydro-socio-ecological conceptual model for the Fitzroy River, as well as a set of guiding principles to protect environmental and Indigenous cultural values. The outcomes from this research are being used by the Western Australian Government water planners as part of their decision-making process.
• Dr Canham led a glasshouse study investigating the effects of magnesium sulfate on riparian tree species at Ranger uranium mine, located within Kakadu National Park. This research contributed to the larger project which is helping inform mine closure and monitoring.
• Dr Canham contributed to research demonstrating the spread of gamba grass in Litchfield National Park. The findings of this research are being used to inform future management decisions, including the use of the proposed gamba exclusion zone.

Current academic employment and positions

• 2017–present: Research Fellow, School of Agriculture and Environment, University of Western Australia
• 2011–2016: post-doctoral researcher, School of Science, Edith Cowan University.

Highest qualification

• 2011: PhD, Edith Cowan University.

My Projects

Current projectCompleted project

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  Ecological and Indigenous values of south-western Australian rivers

  Keywords: Rivers, Landscape restoration, Indigenous cultural values, south-west Western Australiaenvironmental water requirementswater management

  
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  Enhancing the resilience of urban rivers: informing the regional restoration of the Djarlgaroo Beeliar (Canning River, Perth)

  Keywords: Biodiversity, Djarlgaroo Beeliar, Canning River, restorationprioritisationriparianfreshwater

  
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  Supporting the strategic management of invasive grasses

  Keywords: Threatened species, Monitoring, Protected areas, invasive grasseskey threatening processnorthern territory

  
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  Environmental water needs for the Fitzroy River

  Keywords: environmental flows, rivers & waterholes, mapping

  
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  Managing savanna riparian zones

  Keywords: Floodplains, Fire, weeds & ferals, crocodiles

  
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  Tree water use and sensitivity to contaminated mine water

  Keywords: water quality, mine rehabilitation, closure criteria

  
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  Transdisciplinary research for water management

  Keywords: Water planning, research users, Fitzroy River

  
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  Improved methods to detect and protect arid-zone groundwater-dependent ecosystems

  Keywords: arid-zone woodlands and wetlands, groundwater, Indigenous co-design, remote sensingremote areastable isotope analysis