2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
5/26/2021 | 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM | IDENTIFICATION AND SYSTEMATIC PRIORITISATION OF SURFACE WATER REFUGES TO SUSTAIN FRESHWATER BIODIVERSITY IN EASTERN AUSTRALIAN INTERMITTENT STREAM NETWORKS | Virtual Platform
IDENTIFICATION AND SYSTEMATIC PRIORITISATION OF SURFACE WATER REFUGES TO SUSTAIN FRESHWATER BIODIVERSITY IN EASTERN AUSTRALIAN INTERMITTENT STREAM NETWORKS
The hydrologic variability of intermittent streams means that the spatial distribution of aquatic refuges within river networks and the temporal dynamics of hydrological connectivity between them are critical for the persistence of aquatic biodiversity. We demonstrate a new approach to identify surface waterbodies as potential refuges for freshwater biodiversity in intermittent river networks and systematically prioritise them for efficient on-ground conservation management. The approach used models of spatio-temporal variation in daily streamflow, surface water extent, hydrological connectivity and aquatic biodiversity distributions within river networks of eastern Australia. Streamflow intermittency and surface water extent was highly dynamic through space and time over the past century. A subset of highly irreplaceable aquatic refuges for freshwater biodiversity were identified that were widely-distributed throughout the river networks, encompassing main stems to headwater streams. A set of on-ground conservation management actions to maintain the refugial-values of these areas is recommended to minimize disturbance from livestock and feral animals, pollution, water extraction, and other threats. Our study presents a novel and practical approach to identify priority aquatic refuges for targeted conservation management to enhance the resistance and resilience of freshwater biodiversity in intermittent stream ecosystems.
- Connectivity
- Conservation
- Dry rivers
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Presenters/Authors
Mark Kennard
(), Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, m.kennard@griffith.edu.au;
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Songyan Yu
(), Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, sunny.yu@griffith.edu.au;
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Nick Bond
(), La Trobe University, n.bond@latrobe.edu.au;
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Stuart Bunn
(), Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Australia, s.bunn@griffith.edu.au;
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