Drought
Refuge habitat and waterway recovery
We can:
- identify critical habitat for protection see example…
- monitor species survival
- assess ecosystem recovery post drought see example…
Jackson and Emu Creek catchments
This study was made approximately a year after the return of streamflow to these systems, following an unprecedented 14 years of drought. The fish fauna present prior to the drought was dominated by species capable of tolerating poorly oxygenated waters. When streamflows ceased during the drought refuge existed in the pools that did not dry up.
River health within the Corangamite Region
A snapshot of river condition, with key issues identified that were affecting stream health. Waters were categorised into severely stressed, moderately stressed and minor stress due to the millennium drought. The study was a precursor to another investigation identifying critical refuge habitat needed to maintain threatened fish species during drought.
