Project Code

Principal Investigator

Research Organisation

Project Summary

This project aims to improve understanding of the potential ecological impacts of changes in dry season flow regimes of tropical river ecosystems caused by water resources development in these catchments.

The project will investigate variation in fish distribution and ecological requirements across a natural flow regime gradient (variation in groundwater input and, hence, seasonal flow) using field sites, and document indigenous knowledge on fish in the Daly River.

This information will be used to develop models to predict the impact of different water allocation scenarios on freshwater fish in key areas of the Daly River catchment. It will also develop collaborations that will enhance the capacity of managers in the Northern Territory to manage the environmental flow requirements of the Daly River and other groundwater dependent rivers of northern Australia.

Project Objectives

1. Sample the dry season fish communities in the middle- and upper-reaches of the Daly River Basin in areas with contrasting flow and hydraulic habitat characteristics
2. Document spatial and temporal variation in patterns of fish biodiversity, habitat requirements and other ecological traits (e.g. reproductive, morphological, migratory, trophic) across this natural gradient of dry season flow regime
3. Determine the flow and hydraulic habitat requirements of particular species and determine the degree of habitat and flow-dependence
4. Collaborate with Aboriginal traditional owners to document indigenous knowledge of fish distribution and ecology in the middle and upper-reaches of the Daly River Region
5. Collaborate with Aboriginal traditional owners to record the indigenous use and cultural significance of fish in the middle and upper reaches of the Daly River Region
6. Provide new information on the identity, distribution and ecology of freshwater fish in the Daly River Region
7. Develop a conceptual model (based on 1-6) describing the role of the dry season flow regime in driving spatial and temporal variation in fish community structure and function drawing on the range of historical river flows
8. Make recommendations to the NT Government on the minimum flow requirements to protect fish species and critical freshwater fish habitats based on the conceptual model and hydraulic modelling over the range of historical rivers flows
9. Make recommendations to the NT Government on scientifically based monitoring of the ecological outcomes of altered flow regimes based on changes in the populations or distribution of flow-dependant fish species
10. Develop and evaluate a predictive model which will integrate knowledge from a wide range of sources (empirical data and expert knowledge gained from Aboriginal people, other long-term residents and environmental managers) and which can be used to determine the likelihood of particular outcomes of water allocation scenarios on freshwater fish
11. Develop collaborations that will enhance the capacity of researchers and managers in the Northern Territory to undertake studies of the flow requirements of fish
12. Improve the technical ability of government to manage the environmental flow requirements of the Daly River and other groundwater dependent rivers of northern Australia
13. Undertake appropriate consultation with stakeholders throughout the project

Reports and Resources

Expected project completion date: June 2009

For newsletters published by this project see the TRaCK publications  website.