Climate change and water dependent ecosystems research showcase
Australia’s freshwater ecosystems are under threat from land-use changes, groundwater extraction and climate change. This showcase examines current research on freshwater ecosystems in southern Australia, with a particular focus on climate change, groundwater dependent ecosystems and management. This research will be presented by scientists and natural resource managers from the Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources, Murdoch University, The University of Adelaide and the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training.
Presentation Topics for Morning Seminar
- Novel methods for managing freshwater refuges against climate change in southern Australia
- Mound springs and conservation
- Advanced remote sensing techniques for GAB spring assessment and monitoring
- Preliminary investigation into risks posed to water dependent ecosystems in South Australia by climate change
- Adapting to climate change: a risk assessment and decision-making framework for managing aquatic groundwater dependent ecosystems with declining water levels
Afternoon Workshop
This workshop will guide participants through the development of a risk assessment framework using a case study. The basis of the framework is a conceptual model of interactions between climate, hydrogeology, hydrology, water quality, biotic resource requirements and biotic responses. Interactions between these components are quantified using a Bayesian Belief Network which provides a risk-based approach to identifying effects of change in the system. The workshop will illustrate application of the framework using a case study and opportunities will also be provided to explore the use and adaptation of the framework to suit the needs of workshop participants