Vegetation and inundation characteristics of waterbird breeding sites in the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia

K. J. Brandis; R. J. Francis; G. Bino

doi:10.1071/MF23221

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

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Vegetation and inundation characteristics of waterbird breeding sites in the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia

K. J. Brandis

^A ^* , R. J. Francis ^A and G. Bino

^A

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A Centre for Ecosystem Science, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.

^* Correspondence to: Kate.Brandis@unsw.edu.au

Handling Editor: Paul Frazier

Marine and Freshwater Research 75, MF23221 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF23221

Submitted: 17 November 2023 Accepted: 13 April 2024 Published: 10 May 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Context

The Murray–Darling Basin serves as a crucial habitat for aggregating waterbirds; however, decades of large-scale regulation of rivers and water resources have adversely affected waterbird breeding in the Basin.

Aims

To understand the characteristics of wetlands that attract and support aggregating waterbirds, focusing on identifying environmental conditions conducive to waterbird breeding.

Methods

In total, 52 wetland sites across the Murray–Darling Basin, with high waterbird abundances, were identified, of which 26 supported waterbird breeding. Classification models were developed using temporally static and dynamic environmental datasets to discern wetland characteristics associated with waterbird breeding.

Key results

Analyses showed that wetlands supporting waterbird breeding contained a maximum inundated area of ‘other shrublands’ exceeding 3.635 km² and variation in normalised difference vegetation index, possibly reflective of a ‘boom and bust’ ecological response.

Conclusions

Understanding the habitat requirements of wetlands to prompt waterbird breeding is critical for effective environmental water management and conservation strategies.

Implications

Targeted wetland management and environmental water allocation to support waterbird breeding populations in the Murray–Darling Basin is essential for continued waterbird breeding. There is a need for continued research to refine management strategies and ensure the long-term sustainability of waterbird populations in the face of ongoing environmental challenges.

Keywords: colonial waterbirds, conservation, inundation, Murray–Darling Basin, NDVI, river management, vegetation, waterbird breeding, wetland.

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