- Author Duvert, C., Lim, HS., Irvine, D.J., Bird, M., Bass, A.M., Tweed, S.O., Hutley, L.B., Munksgaard, N.C
- Type Report
- Documents
- Strategic policy development
- Water Security program
Summary
Streams and rivers of the Australian tropics have been the subject of substantial hydrological process research spanning the last 50 years. In this review, we highlight initial efforts to understand the hydrological response of forested ecosystems in the humid tropics, and how this has been more recently followed by work in savannas of the seasonal tropics. We describe recent findings from modelling and tracer studies and derive a framework of dominant hydrological processes for the region. We also detail five critical knowledge gaps that will require further attention with climate change and ongoing interest in development in the region. New hydrological insights for the region: We outline the diversity of runoff generation mechanisms that prevail in the region and emphasise the role of connected wetlands and floodplains in catchment response. We discuss the prominence of focused, episodic recharge in the replenishment of groundwater stores across the region. We also review how climate change and potential water resource development projects may alter the hydrology of northern Australian catchments. Future research should focus on improving our physical understanding of key hydrological processes, as well as anticipate the likely effects of development and climate change on these processes. Intensive and long-term studies of experimental observatories, which capture the diversity in landscapes and climates of the region, will help frame sustainable water development policies in northern Australia.
Published: Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies
https://authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S2214-5818(22)00207-5
Projects
Water Security for Northern Australia program: Co-design phase
The Water Security for Northern Australia co-design phase laid the foundation for a long-term, stakeholder-driven research program focused on improving water security and enabling sustainable agricultural development across northern Australia. Delivered through the Northern Australia Universities Alliance (NAUA) – a collaboration between James Cook University, Charles Darwin University and CQUniversity – the project brought together regional expertise to identify the most pressing water and agricultural development challenges across four focal catchments: the Gilbert River catchment in north Queensland, the Lower Fitzroy catchment in central Queensland, the Daly catchment in the Northern Territory and the Ord River Irrigation Area in Western Australia. Through desktop analysis, literature review and extensive stakeholder engagement with industry, landholders, Traditional Owners, government agencies and regional organisations, the project identified shared priorities and place-based research needs across each node. This collaborative process informed the design of an integrated 3.5-year research program focused on practical solutions for water security, agricultural development and improved regional decision-making. The outcome was a cohesive, co-designed research agenda with strong stakeholder support, creating the foundation and implementation for the broader CRCNA Water Security for Northern Australia program (AT.7.2223014).