Securing the future health and resilience of our Basin wetlands
A new study, released today, has assessed the impacts of climate change at three internationally significant Ramsar wetlands in NSW, South Australia and Victoria, aimed at helping to guide future environmental management of wetlands. Murray-Darling Basin Ramsar Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Project , was a 2022 election commitment by the Albanese Government, intended to improve the science and boost Australia’s understanding of how climate change is likely to affect Ramsar sites in the Murray–Darling Basin.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, have been undertaking the study since 2023 at: Macquarie Marshes Ramsar site near Nyngan, NSW Riverland Ramsar site on the Murray River in South Australia Barmah Forest Ramsar site on the NSW-Victorian border. The study found that in the short term the most significant challenge posed by climate change to the wetlands is increased pressure on already irregular flows of water.
In the long term, as the Basin becomes hotter and drier, climate change will also introduce new pressures and amplify existing threatening processes associated with how land is used in the Basin and changes to how water naturally flows. Those challenges were one of the reasons that the Albanese Government listed the Wetlands and inner floodplains of the Macquarie Marshes , as endangered in January this year.
The project has delivered detailed site-based adaptation pathways by working with local communities, wetland managers and those involved in wetland policy and planning to identify the best management options for enhancing resilience and managing change. Work is already underway to apply these learnings to other sites within the Basin as well as wetlands across Australia.
This includes providing guidance for the effective use of Commonwealth environmental water in the Basin to value every drop. The Basin is home to 16 internationally significant wetlands listed under the Ramsar Convention because of their importance to threatened species, biodiversity or unique ecology. More information about the Murray-Darling Basin Ramsar Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Project, and a copy of the report is available here: www.dcceew.gov.au/water/wetlands/climate-change-resources/murray-darling-basin-climate-change-project Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt: “This $2.5 million project is helping us to understand the short and long term challenges, and be in a position to take meaningful action to manage the risk of Ramsar sites like the Macquarie Marshes and other significant wetland sites being damaged by climate change.
“This research will give communities and wetland managers the clear, evidence-backed answers they need to understand how to best protect Australia’s beloved wetlands from the challenges of climate change.” Quotes attributable to CSIRO Director of Environment Research Unit, Dr Dan Metcalfe: “CSIRO has a 30-year history of delivering science with partners for impact in the Murray-Darling Basin.
In recent decades, demands on the Basin’s highly variable flows have increased significantly, resulting in a loss of water security for communities, industries and the environment. Climate change has added additional pressure. “Through national leadership in science for water, we are focused on delivering impact in the equitable use of water, sustainable and productive industries, safe communities and healthy ecosystems.” Quote attributable to CSIRO Principal Research Scientist, Dr Ashmita Sengupta: “This project braided together local, First Nations and scientific knowledge to understand the significant pressures on these ecosystems due to climate change.
Together, we explored how management and policy can adapt to proactively support these ecosystems into the future.” We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.