MDFRC has been working on the ecology of rivers, floodplains and wetlands, and water storages since 1986. Projects are grouped into eight research themes. The current Research Portfolio can be downloaded (PDF 462KB).
Assessment
A project that quantifies the environmental condition of an area to enable managers to determine appropriate actions to protect or restore the area.
Biota
A project that improves our understanding of species characteristics, including their capacity to disperse, their life history, cues for reproduction, breeding behaviour, salinity tolerance or metabolic requirements.
Connectivity
Connectivity is the exchange of material and organisms among habitat patches. Projects in this theme examine the movement of material among patches and the consequences of changes in patterns of connectivity. The movement of material such as organic carbon, sediment and nutrients are critical ecosystem processes that influence habitat and productivity in receiving systems. Understanding the major pathways of movement and how management may have changed both the type and amount of material being moved are critical questions if we are to manage ecosystems. Biota need to move between habitat patches in order to complete their life cycle, avoid disturbances or find food. Dispersal is also a critical determinant of the success of any rehabilitation activity as we cannot achieve our objectives if the organisms cannot colonise rehabilitated sites.
Education
A project undertaken by postgraduate students undertaking their PhD or Masters; Honours students or Summer Scholarship students.
Habitat
Projects in this theme will help identify the key habitats (both spatial and temporal) of the major functional components of the ecosystem [primary production (in-stream and floodplain), invertebrates, fish, birds etc.] and quantify how they change in response to changes in flow, land use and climate.
Knowledge Exchange
A project that provides information and advice to government and non-government organisations, as well as the community via;
- expert panels
- consultancies
- publications
- presentations
- workshops
Metabolic Function
Metabolic Function refers to the transformation of organic matter through aquatic food webs. The transformations include critical processes such as primary production and decomposition, but also the consumption of plant material and predation. Processes such as primary production and decomposition have a significant impact on water quality and nutrient cycles that are of importance to managers. Projects in this theme also improve our understanding of food web processes thereby helping managers ensure that iconic species such as Murray Cod have the food resources they require to survive and reproduce.
Review
A project that is a synthesis of existing, available data and information sources (published and unpublished), that will improve our understanding of aquatic ecosystems. Report format could be scoping study; literature review or desktop analysis. These projects may be used as a guide for research and monitoring that will fill knowledge gaps, understanding and assessment of areas and assets critical to the ecological health of a water body.
MDFRC Research Portfolio - June 2010 (700 KB)
