Use of Bayesian decision support tools in sustainable management

Citation

Land & Water Australia. 2009. Use of Bayesian decision support tools in sustainable management. [Online] (Updated June 25th, 2009)
Available at: http://lwa.gov.au/node/2934 [Accessed Wednesday 29th of February 2012 10:26:47 PM ].

This project, lead by Barry Hart from Monash University, developed and tested Bayesian decision network (BDN) models that will assist decision-makers in making environmental flow allocations for Australian rivers and wetlands.

Sustainability was examined within the context of ecological endpoints (fish populations) and regulatory frameworks that govern flow allocations (e.g. National Water Initiative). Two case studies were developed: (1) for the flow-stressed Latrobe River (Victoria) where the aim was to identify the key hydrological events required to maintain larval production of Australian Grayling and River Blackfish. (2) for the Daly River (Northern Territory) which has been identified for development where the aim was to relate e-flows to two ecological (fish) endpoints – abundance of barramundi and sooty grunter. The results have been submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.

Project Objectives

Develop a BDN that will assist decision makers in making flow allocations for rivers and wetlands, taking into consideration environmental and regulatory factors; -
Test BDN within relevant catchments; -
Undertake capacity building with relevant authorities.