MF23221Vegetation and inundation characteristics of waterbird breeding sites in the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia
The Murray–Darling Basin provides critical breeding habitat that supports Australia’s waterbird populations. These birds breed opportunistically, in large rookeries, relying on suitable wetland conditions. We identified 52 wetland sites across the Basin where waterbirds were present in high abundances, 26 of these supported waterbird breeding. Using the breeding and non-breeding wetlands, we identified inundation and vegetation community thresholds associated with waterbird breeding. Understanding habitat requirements can be used in setting conservation targets to ensure waterbird populations are supported into the future.
This article belongs to the collection Environmental Flows in Northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice.
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