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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Blue, green and in-between: objectives and approaches for evaluating wetland flow regimes based on vegetation outcomes

Cherie J. Campbell https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3342-3563 A N , Cassandra S. James B , Kaylene Morris C , Jason M. Nicol D , Rachael F. Thomas E F , Daryl L. Nielsen G H , Susan L. Gehrig A M , Gary J. Palmer I , Skye Wassens J , Fiona Dyer K , Mark Southwell L , Robyn J. Watts J , Nick R. Bond H and Samantha J. Capon I
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Research Centre for Freshwater Ecosystems, Latrobe University, Mildura, Vic. 3500, Australia.

B TropWater, James Cook University, Douglas, Qld 4811, Australia.

C Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Heidelberg, Vic. 3084, Australia.

D South Australian Research and Development Institute (Aquatic Sciences), Henley Beach, SA 5022, Australia.

E NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Lidcombe, NSW 2141, Australia.

F Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.

G CSIRO Land and Water, Wodonga, Vic. 3689, Australia.

H Research Centre for Freshwater Ecosystems, Latrobe University, Wodonga, Vic. 3689, Australia.

I Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Qld 4111, Australia.

J Institute for Land, Water and Society, School of Environmental Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW 2640, Australia.

K Centre for Applied Water Science, Institute for Applied Ecology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2601, Australia.

L School of Environmental and Rural Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia.

M Present address: Flora, Flow & Floodplains, Mildura, Vic. 3500, Australia.

N Corresponding author. Present address: Centre for Applied Water Science, Institute for Applied Ecology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2601, Australia. Email: cherie.campbell@canberra.edu.au

Marine and Freshwater Research 73(10) 1212-1224 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF20338
Submitted: 20 November 2020  Accepted: 25 April 2021   Published: 1 June 2021

Abstract

Evaluating wetland vegetation responses to flow regimes is challenging because of the inherently complex, variable and dynamic nature of wetland vegetation in space and time. We propose four principles to guide the development of management objectives and evaluation approaches to support adaptive management of wetland vegetation in flow-managed systems. First, we assert a need for more explicit, direct and defensible alignment of management objectives, targets and indicators to reflect broader ecological, sociocultural and economic values, and the underlying ecosystem functions that support them. Second, we propose a framework for indicator selection across multiple spatiotemporal scales and levels of ecological organisation, from individuals to landscape mosaics (vegscapes). Third, we emphasise the need to evaluate vegetation condition and responses to environmental flows in relation to a more nuanced understanding of temporal flow dynamics. Finally, we discuss the importance of considering the effects of non-flow variables that can modify vegetation responses to environmental flows. We highlight key knowledge needs required to support the implementation of these principles, particularly the urgency of improving our understanding of ecological, sociocultural and economic values of wetland vegetation and the attributes and functions that support these values.

Keywords: environmental water, ecological function, restoration, riparian vegetation, vegetation condition.


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