Aquatic Ecosystems and Water Resources

Theme leader: Michael Douglas

See also TRaCK website

The Aquatic Ecosystems and Water Resources theme brings together Charles Darwin University staff with expertise in water-related research. This multidisciplinary group includes researchers from the environmental and social sciences, and involves staff from:

• The School for Environmental Research
• The School of Environment & Life Sciences
• The School of Australian Indigenous Knowledge Systems
• The School of Engineering and Logistics

The aim of the Aquatic Ecosystems and Water Resources group is to improve the management of aquatic ecosystems and water resources in tropical and desert environments across northern Australia and Southeast Asia.

This will be achieved through:

• Innovative and multidisciplinary research on integrated water resource management, and
• Collaborative links amongst numerous collaborators and stakeholders

TRaCK

TRaCK brings together over 70 leading researchers and managers from across Australia to focus on catchments, rivers and estuaries between the tip of Cape York and Broome. TRaCK involves 18 research partners including four Universities, CSIRO, AIMS, eriss, GeoSciences Australia and various departments from the Australian, NT, Qld and WA Governments.The aim of TRaCK is to provide the science and knowledge that governments, communities and industries need for the sustainable use and management of Australia’s tropical rivers and estuaries. This is being achieved through 22 research projects focusing on:

• Increasing our understanding of how tropical rivers operate and of the environmental, cultural, economic and social benefits provided by tropical rivers and coasts;
• Developing methods and tools for assessing the implications of current use and potential developments;
• Identifying opportunities to develop sustainable enterprises; and
• Building the capacity and knowledge of the community to manage Australia’s tropical rivers and coasts.

For more information visit: www.track.gov.au

Research

Research in the Aquatic Ecosystems and Water Resources Theme focuses on five areas:

Environmental, Cultural and Economic Values

Identifying the environmental, cultural and economic values of aquatic ecosystems and water resources and determining how these can be maintained through sustainable management.

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Processes

Improving our understanding of the biodiversity and fundamental ecosystem processes (including the movement of water, sediment, nutrients and carbon through ecosystems) that underpin aquatic ecosystems and water resources.

Impacts of Human Activity and Climate Change

Determining the impacts of human activity (including fire management, land clearing, weeds, water use) and climate variability on aquatic ecosystems and water resources and developing appropriate indicators (biophysical, cultural and economic) to measure these impacts.

Governance of Water Resources

Improving the governance of water resources (including institutional arrangements, policy and planning frameworks, property rights) and enhancing the capacity of communities (particularly indigenous communities) to participate in water resource management.

Marine Ecology

Enables management of key marine species such as sharks, turtles, crocodiles and dugongs and provides a conceptual framework for understanding the dynamics of highly diverse and complex tropical ecosystems

Collaboration

The Aquatic Ecosystems and Water Resources group works closely with researchers from other agencies and with a range of stakeholders, including local communities. We strive to strengthen collaboration within Charles Darwin University and with external partners and stakeholders. This will be achieved through:

Promoting and publicising CDU’s research capability and current activity

• Directory of research expertise and facilities
• List of current and completed research projects
• Links to current project websites

Encouraging discussion and strengthening the links within CDU

• Biannual Theme meetings
• CDU Water Research Group email list

Helping to co-ordinate research and facilitate collaboration with external partners

• NT Water Research email list
• Host annual Water Research Forum
• Links to current research partner and stakeholder websites