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

Project start date: 01/04/2024
Project end date: 30/06/2027
NESP funding: $769,924 (GST-exclusive)

Australia’s deserts have some of the world’s most variable rainfall patterns, and climate change is likely to make them even more spatially and temporally inconsistent. Because of this uncertainty, consistent sources of water are vital refuges in arid environments.

Groundwater-dependent ecosystems are supported by water on or near the surface which is supplied by groundwater systems. They provide critical habitat and support biodiversity in otherwise dry areas and are often areas of cultural importance for Traditional Owners.

Increased investment in agriculture and other developments which place high demands on water resources in semi-arid and arid zones could potentially place groundwater-dependent ecosystems at risk, if they’re inappropriately managed. It is vitally important that water management practices across Australia’s arid areas are informed by an in-depth understanding of the ecology, hydrology and socio-cultural values associated with these ecosystems and the potential risks from water extraction.

This project brings together Indigenous knowledge, remotely sensed data, hydrogeological information and ecological field surveys to improve detection, understanding and management of groundwater-dependent ecosystems across the arid zones of central Australia. The research consists of two interconnected components that combine biophysical science with a collaborative co-design approach to support improved monitoring and management of groundwater-dependent ecosystems.

We are helping to assess the risks of water extraction on flora, fauna and socio-cultural values, and monitoring changes in their extent and condition.

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Key research areas

To help inform the sustainable management of groundwater-dependent ecosystems, this project is:

• working with Traditional Owners and Rangers to identify values, priorities and monitoring approaches for groundwater-dependent ecosystems that support Healthy Country Plan objectives and management decisions
• building a shared understanding of how groundwater-dependent ecosystems function and respond to change by bringing together Traditional Owner and Indigenous Ranger knowledge and biophysical science
• refining remote sensing tools to identify and monitor arid-zone groundwater-dependent ecosystems
• assessing groundwater dependence using stable isotopic and plant physiological metrics
• mapping and risk-assessing arid-zone terrestrial and aquatic groundwater-dependent ecosystems.

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Pathway to impact

This project will support better protection of arid-zone groundwater-dependent ecosystems by:

• improving methods to detect, map and monitor groundwater-dependent ecosystems
• bringing together Indigenous knowledge with remote-sensing and field-based science
• supporting water planning decisions that consider ecological and cultural values
• developing recommendations for monitoring groundwater-dependent ecosystems that align with local priorities and Healthy Country Plans
• improving understanding of risks associated with groundwater extraction.

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  CDU NESP-affiliated PhD student James Pike samples groundwater from a bore for isotope analysis that will assist in sourcing how much of this water is being used by vegetation. Photo: Caroline Canham.
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  Adam Bourke samples soil for gauge moisture content. Photo: Caroline Canham.
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  Project staff sampling twigs pre-dawn to assess the degree of tree hydration and take twig samples to exact water for isotope analysis. Photo: Caroline Canham.
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  Adam Bourke demonstrating the use of a pressure bomb to Traditional Owners of the Davenport region. The method is used to assess the pre-dawn moisture levels from twigs that were sampled in the above figure.. Photo: Caroline Canham.