Impacts of groundwater affecting activities on baseflow variability and ecological response

This project, now completed, was phase one of a two-phase project designed to assess the impacts of human-induced changes in groundwater (such as through pumping) on riverine ecosystems and other groundwater dependant ecosystems. It quantifies the relative contribution of baseflow to stream environmental flows in different regions of Australia.

A number of sites around Australia were assessed for their suitability for the second phase, ranging from subtropical to temperate Australia, where inter-annual baseflow indices are likely to range from very high to moderate. Six sites were chosen in WA, NSW, Victoria and Northern Territory where there was sufficient hydrological and ecological data for a full second stage investigation, and where there was strong support from State government agencies.

This project is now complete.

Outcomes

1. Collect and collate hydrogeological, hydrological and ecological data relating to nominated Stage 1 locations
2. Assess the degree to which these data sets can be integrated to inform a conceptual model of the groundwater-surface water-ecosystem continuum for each location.
3. Identify data gaps in the conceptual model for each location
4. Use and develop new methods for assessing aquatic ecosystem dependence on groundwater baseflow
5. Identify work required to address data gaps, and costs, for each location
6. Select preferred site(s) for Stage 2 studies

Publications and Resources

None listed

Citation

Land & Water Australia. 2009. Impacts of groundwater affecting activities on baseflow variability and ecological response. [Online] (Updated July 30th, 2009)
Available at: http://lwa.gov.au/node/3224 [Accessed Tuesday 26th of April 2011 05:46:39 AM ].