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About our Research Projects
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Current research & consulting projects
Determining transition thresholds
between alternative ecological states in saline waterbodies
Funded by: Land and Water Australia Postgraduate Scholarship
2001-2004
Chief Investigators: J.A. Davis, J. Chambers and L. Sim
This project seeks to characterise the states that exist in saline waterbodies (clear, macrophyte- dominated and benthic microbial mat-dominated) and to determine the triggers and thresholds for switches between these states. Transition thresholds will be investigated experimentally using mesocosms to test predictions regarding made from conceptual models. Identification of key functional components of these ecosystems, and of the triggers for change, is likely to have broad application in the management and restoration of secondary saline systems.
Alternative stable states - a
potential paradigm for managing salinised ecosystems
Funded by: Land and Water Australia 2001-2004
Chief Investigators J.A. Davis, S. Halse,
R.H. Froend, D.P.Hamilton, P. Horwitz, and A.J. McComb.
Secondary salinisation of rivers, streams and wetlands is a major environmental issue in many regions of Australia. Preliminary information from southwestern Australia suggests that such systems may have reached new and potentially ‘stable’ ecological states. This project will investigate whether the state and transition models of landscape and vegetation ecology, and the alternative stable states model for shallow lakes, provide a suitable conceptual framework for the development of restoration strategies for salinised ecosystems. Re-examination of pre-existing datasets will help us to define new or alternative states, and evaluate their condition. Ecological modelling will be used to identify the transition thresholds between these states. Strategic fieldwork will be undertaken to supplement the information provided in pre-existing datasets and for model calibration and validation. Restoration goals will be suggested that may involve recognising or promoting alternative states rather than restoring the ecology of these systems to an ‘original’ or historical condition.
Critical Pathways in Wetland
Degradation
Funded by: Australian Research
Council 2001-2003.
Chief Investigators: Associate
Professor Jenny Davis, School of Environmental Science, Murdoch
University, Emeritus Professor Arthur McComb, Environmental Science
Murdoch University, Dr David Hamilton and Dr Carolyn Oldham,
Centre for Water Research University of Western Australia and
Dr Pierre Horwitz and Dr Ray Froend, Centre for Ecosystem Management
Edith Cowan University.
This project will identify critical pathways in wetland degradation by using field sampling and modelling to determine the key processes, and interactions, that result in poor water quality and loss of environmental values. A numerical model linking hydrology and hydrodynamics, nutrient dynamics, phytoplankton and macrophyte ecology, and trophic structure of shallow wetlands, will be used to identify key mechanisms and their interactions, at appropriate temporal and spatial scales, in the development of cyanobacterial blooms. Innovative field sampling and modelling undertaken by a multidisciplinary research team will enable us to obtain new insights into wetland function and responses to human impacts.
Biomonitoring of Jandakot Wetlands
Funded by: Water and Rivers Commission,
Perth.
Biomonitoring of eight wetlands on the Jandakot groundwater mound began in 1996 as a requirement of the Public Environmental Review for the abstraction of groundwater. Wetlands are sampled for macroinvertebrates and water quality in the summer and spring of each year to determine if abstraction is affecting wetland health. Vegetation sampling is being undertaken at the same time by Dr. Philip Ladd of the School of Environmental Science, Murdoch University.
Recently completed research & consulting projects
Monitoring
wetland health: are National River Health Program protocols
applicable
Funded by: National
Wetlands Research and Development Program. LWRRDC and Environment
Australia and the Water and Rivers Commission Western Australia.
Chief
Investigators Dr Jenny Davis, School of Environmental Science, Murdoch
University, Dr Pierre Horwitz Centre for Ecosystem Management, Edith
Cowan University; Richard Norris, University of Canberra; and Dr
Bruce Chessman, NSW Land and Water Conservation.
Research Officers: Megan McGuire (MU) and Bea Sommer (ECU)
This project investigated whether the National River Health Program protocols could be applied to wetlands on the Swan Coastal Plain, mainly through predictive modelling. A predictive model was constructed incorporating macroinvertebrate and environmental data from the 40 wetlands data set to include combined habitat and season models similar to those developed for AUSRIVAS. Modelling plus several other methods were found to be useful tools for wetland assessment and monitoring. A Wetlands Bioassessment Manual has been developed.
Predicting
algal patchiness in rivers using fractal geometry and acoustic
Doppler velocimetry
Funded by: Australian Research Council Small Grants Scheme
Chief Investigators: Dr Jenny Davis, School
of Environmental Science, Murdoch University, and Dr Belinda
Robson, Deakin University Warrnambool.
Research Officer: Megan McGuire (MU)
The objective of this study was to predict algal biomass distribution (patchiness) on river beds from substratum topography, flow pattern and discharge history. This is important because although factors such as flow pattern, substratum topography and herbivore grazing have been shown to affect algal patch structure, no consistently predictable relationships have yet been demonstrated.
Predicting
wetland response to changing water quantity and water quality
Funded by: the
Western Australian Estuarine Research Foundation
Chief Investigators:
Dr Jenny Davis, School of Environmental Science, Murdoch University,
Emeritus Professor Arthur McComb, Environmental Science Murdoch
University, Dr David Hamilton and Dr Carolyn Oldham, Centre for
Water Research University of Western Australia and Dr Pierre
Horwitz and Dr Ray Froend, Centre for Ecosystem Management Edith
Cowan University.
Postdoctoral Fellow: Barbara Robson (UWA)
Research Officers: Megan McGuire, Bea Sommer and Emma Gale
This project seeks to increase our knowledge and understanding of wetland structure and function by specifically examining the issue of in-wetland responses to environmental change. The response of wetlands, physically, chemically and biologically, to external changes in abiotic and biotic conditions will be investigated on several spatial and temporal scales. Seasonal and interannual climatic change will be considered, in addition to changes occurring as a result of human impacts.
Environmental
Water Requirements to Maintain Wetlands of National and International
Importance
Funded by
Environment Australia as part of the National River Health Program
- Environmental Flows Initiative
Chief Investigators:
Dr Jenny Davis, School of Environmental Science, Murdoch University,Emeritus
Professor Arthur McComb, Environmental Science Murdoch University,
Dr David Hamilton and Dr Carolyn Oldham, Centre for Water Research
University of Western Australia and Dr Pierre Horwitz and Dr
Ray Froend, Centre for Ecosystem Management Edith Cowan University.
Research Officer:
Deb Thomas (MU)
This project seeks to: 1) Identify those wetlands in Australia of international and national importance that are threatened by current or future changes to flow regime. 2) Compile database of information on important wetlands requiring environmental flows. 3) Review the literature regarding best practice of environmental flow determination for wetlands. 4.) Compare a range of methods for determining environmental flow requirements of wetlands. 5) Develop a method for determination of appropriate environmental flows that will protect these wetlands against decline in their ecological character; and 6) Identify both the practical limitations and opportunities available for implementation of environmental flows to these systems. Potential socio-economic constraints, and cost/benefit considerations will also be addressed.
An ecological assessment of the Brunswick and Wellesley Rivers, W.A. for the Water and Rivers Commission, Bunbury.
This study was undertaken 1996 and 1997. Baseline information on the ecological status of the Brunswick and Wellesley Rivers, on the southern Swan Coastal Plain, was obtained from sampling undertaken in spring 1996 and autumn 1997. Water quality and macroinvertebrate community data were obtained to assess the ecological condition of the rivers.
Macroinvertebrate Surveys for Alcoa Australia Pty. Ltd.
Macroinvertebrate monitoring has been undertaken at the Wellard wetlands on the Swan Coastal Plain on an annual basis following an initial baseline study in 1996. Invertebrate communities are monitored every spring. Water quality and vegetation data are collected in conjunction with this project by the Marine and Freshwater Research Laboratory, Murdoch University and Dr Jane Chambers, Murdoch University.
Macroinvertebrate Surveys and Biomonitoring for Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd.
Macroinvertebrate monitoring for Worsley Alumina began in 1999. Sites downstream of the refining operation are monitored for macroinvertebrates and water quality. Water quality data is also collected at a number of other sites. This project is in undertaken collaboratively with the Marine and Freshwater Research Laboratory, Murdoch University.
Water quality monitoring at Lake Monger, Perth, WA for Town of Cambridge
Water samples collected from Lake Monger on a monthly basis are analysed to determine the effectiveness of nutrient stripping channels which have been constructed on the eastern side of the lake. This project is assisted by Environmental Health Officers from the Town of Cambridge.
Midge Research and Management Web site for the City of Cockburn
This
project involves the construction of a website located with the
City of Cockburn that will:
1) Provide a summary of current understanding of factors promoting nuisance
midge (Diptera : Chironomidae) problems at wetlands.
2) Compile information from all councils on current monitoring programs and
other midge related activities and data collection.
3) Compile a list of wetlands currently experiencing midge problems
4) Prepare a standard protocol for midge sampling (an update of the previous
protocol prepared by Sue Harrington and Adrian Pinder), including description
of important water quality and other parameters.
5) Provide guidance to householders to ameliorate nuisance midge problems.
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Document author: J.
Davis, School of Environmental Science, Murdoch University |
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