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Journal article
Australian non-perennial rivers: Global lessons and research opportunities
Journal of hydrology (Amsterdam), Vol.634, 130939
2024
Abstract
Non-perennial rivers are valuable water resources that support millions of humans globally, as well as unique riparian ecosystems. In Australia, the Earth’s driest inhabited continent, over 70% of rivers are non-perennial due to a combination of ancient landscape, dry climates, highly variable rainfall regimes, and human interventions that have altered riverine environments. Here, we review Australian non-perennial river research incorporating geomorphology, hydrology, biogeochemistry, ecology, and Indigenous knowledges. The dominant research themes in Australia were drought, floods, salinity, dryland ecology, and water management. Future research will likely follow these themes but must address emerging threats to river systems due to climate change and other anthropogenic impacts. Four high level opportunities for future research are identified, namely: (1) integrating Indigenous and western scientific knowledge; (2) quantifying climate change impacts on hydrological and biological function; (3) clarifying the meaning and measurement of “restoration” of non-perennial systems; and (4) understanding the role of groundwater. These challenges will require inter- and multi-disciplinary efforts supported by technological advances. The evolving body of knowledge about Australian rivers provides a foundation for comparison with other dryland areas globally where recognition of the importance of non-perennial rivers is expanding.
Details
- Title
- Australian non-perennial rivers: Global lessons and research opportunities
- Authors/Creators
- Margaret Shanafield - Flinders UniversityMelanie Blanchette - Edith Cowan UniversityEdoardo Daly - Monash UniversityNaomi Wells - Southern Cross UniversityRyan M. Burrows - The University of MelbourneKathryn Korbel - Macquarie UniversityGabriel C. Rau - University of Newcastle AustraliaSarah Bourke - The University of Western AustraliaGresley Wakelin-King - La Trobe UniversityAleicia Holland - La Trobe UniversityTimothy Ralph - Macquarie UniversityGavan McGrath - The University of Western AustraliaBelinda Robson - Murdoch University, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic EcosystemsKeirnan Fowler - The University of MelbourneMartin S. Andersen - UNSW SydneySongyan Yu - Griffith UniversityChristopher S. Jones - Department of Environment, Land, Water and PlanningNathan Waltham - James Cook UniversityEddie W. Banks - Flinders UniversityCatherine Leigh - RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, AustraliaAlissa Flatley - University of Wales Trinity Saint DavidSally Maxwell - La Trobe UniversityAndre Siebers - La Trobe UniversityNick Bond - La Trobe UniversityLeah Beesley - University of Western Australia, Perth, AustraliaGrant Hose - Macquarie UniversityJordan Iles - James Cook UniversityIan Cartwright - Monash UniversityMichael Reid - University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, AustraliaThiaggo de Castro Tayer - University of Western Australia, Perth, AustraliaClément Duvert - Charles Darwin University
- Publication Details
- Journal of hydrology (Amsterdam), Vol.634, 130939
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- Identifiers
- 991005649566407891
- Copyright
- © 2024 The Authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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