Western Australia’s mighty Fitzroy River has high environmental, economic and cultural significance and there is increasing interest in developing its substantial water resources for irrigated agriculture.
Important environmental values, such as the iconic barramundi, are likely to be impacted if the river’s natural flows or groundwater levels are altered. To minimise risks to these natural values, we need to understand how they may respond to potential water resources development.
People, animals and plants may be potentially impacted by water resource development in the Fitzroy River.
This project is working in collaboration with the Australian and Western Australian Governments, Traditional Owners and pastoralists to improve the available information on the water needs of key natural values in the Fitzroy River. This knowledge will underpin future water allocation and planning decisions.
The primary aim of this project is to improve our understanding of the environmental water needs of key plant and animal species in the Fitzroy River to inform sustainable water planning and management decisions.
Project activities
The project includes three major components:
- Reviewing the current information on environmental water needs and developing initial conceptual models to predict the impact of various water use scenarios on key environmental values
- Undertaking targeted research to determine water needs of environmental values, including significant plant and fish species
- Using the new research to revise conceptual models and recommendations to reduce the risk to environmental values from water resource development.
Anticipated outputs
- Conceptual models of ecohydrological relationships and potential risks from water resource development
- Recommendations of environmental water needs for important riverbank plants and aquatic animals in dry season pools and the implications of wet season water use for fish
- Peer-reviewed scientific publications.
The project is focused on the Fitzroy River catchment in Western Australia. Most activity is occurring downstream of Fitzroy Crossing.
Martin Kainz presents how fatty acids can be used as biomarkers in analysing food webs and trophic flow.
David Crook discusses how otolith chemistry can help explain and document fish life history.
The project is being led by Professor Michael Douglas from The University of Western Australia (UWA). Professor Douglas is being assisted by researchers from UWA, Charles Darwin University, Griffith University and the Western Australia Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.
Gooniyandi Aboriginal Corporation PBC, Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation PBC, Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation and Yi-Martuwarra/Yanunijarra Aboriginal Corporation PBC are collaborators in this research.
Contact
Professor Michael Douglas, UWA
[email protected]
Integrated environmental assessments in the north
The 2019 Developing Northern Australia (DNA) Conference was held in Karratha in early July. At the conference, Hub Leader Professor […]
Finding out about fish in the Fitzroy
Going fishing always comes with its share of stories, and it’s no different when the fishing is for research! The […]
Sharing knowledge from our Canberra Research Forum
5200 kilometres is a long way to go to share NESP Northern Hub research, but it was worth the distance…! […]
Follow up resources from Canberra Research Forum
Follow-up resources from the Hub’s Canberra Research Forum 18- 21 Feb. Thank you to all involved! A highlight video can […]
Bringing Northern Australia science to Canberra
This forum took place on February 19-21, 2019. Presentation slides and other follow up materials can be found here. If […]
Welcome 2019!
2019 Northern Australia Research With several projects wrapping up and new research getting underway, 2019 will be a busy year […]
Northern Hub News (May 2018)
Northern Australia May 2018 update. As we pass the halfway point of the Hub’s lifespan, our eNews reflects on our […]
Connecting research in WA's Fitzroy catchment
There is significant interest in expanding economic development in the Kimberley’s Fitzroy River catchment, and a suite of Hub research […]
Happy new year!
2017 was a busy year for the Hub and 2018 is shaping up the same way! Our suite of 3–4-year […]
Northern Hub News (November 2017)
This edition of our eNews features what we’ve been up to over the dry season.
Fitzroy River fieldwork underway
Researchers from two Northern Hub projects joined Nyikina Mangala Traditional Owners, Yimardoo Warra Rangers and staff from the WA Department […]
Social & cultural dimensions of environmental flows
Hub leader Professor Michael Douglas and project leader Associate Professor Sue Jackson have given presentations in the social and cultural […]
New research underway
We have an exciting suite of three-year projects currently ramping up across northern Australia! We have environmental water projects in […]
Science to underpin sustainable water development
Scientists warn we need a strong understanding of the needs of all water users, including the agricultural sector, before major […]
Research spotlight shines west
Six new Northern Hub research projects in the Kimberley’s west aim to inform sustainable development decisions in the unique region. […]
Focus on the Fitzroy
The Northern Hub is starting several projects in Western Australia’s Fitzroy River catchment to inform management decisions and support sustainable […]
Related Projects
-
Environmental water needs for the Daly River
-
Environmental water needs for the Mitchell River
-
Indigenous water needs for the Fitzroy River
-
Multi-objective planning in northern Australia
-
Links between Gulf rivers and coastal productivity
-
Critical knowledge gaps to prioritise northern Australia government research investment
-
Review of models, frameworks and decision support tools for northern Australia