<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/07/ecosystems-are-collapsing-one-of-australias-longest-rivers-has-lost-more-than-half-its-water-in-one-section-research-shows>
"A section of one of Australia’s longest rivers, the Murrumbidgee, lost more
than half of its water over a 30-year period due to dams and other diversions,
according to new research.
Scientists at the University of New South Wales examined the impacts of dam
infrastructure and irrigation on natural water flows in the lower Murrumbidgee
River since 1890.
Research published in the
Journal of Environmental Management found that
these diversions, as well as increased water use by the city of Canberra,
reduced water flows at Hay, in south-western NSW, by 43% from 1958 to 2018. In
the 30 years from 1988 to 2018, the reductions were more pronounced at 55%.
The researchers said the most severe impacts from the decline in water flows
were on the Lowbidgee flood plain, the river’s largest wetland, which depends
on regular flooding to thrive.
“The Lowbidgee Floodplain depends on regular inundation,” said Jan Kreibich, a
PhD candidate at UNSW who led the study. “Without it, entire ecosystems are
collapsing.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
