Scientists explore future of river's end
Photo by Michael Bell, Murray-Darling Basin Commission.
Full Image (103.99K)
Friday, 4 April 2008
Scientists studying one of Australia's most significant water systems - the , Lower Lakes and - have discovered that many of the animals previously widely distributed across the region are now restricted to a small area around the Murray Mouth.
Researchers, currently assessing the future of the estuary based on different scenarios of water availability and climate change, have recorded the changes following elevated salinities and reduced water levels in the Coorong.
The researchers - in the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth () Research Cluster - are today giving a science briefing to media on the long-term future of the water system, at the Steam Exchange Brewery, Goolwa Wharf, .
The CLLAMMecology Research Cluster, supported through CSIRO's involves a partnership between , the University of ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ, , and . , , and are additional research and funding partners.
In the first comprehensive research program for this estuary, the $5.3 million project aims to improve the ecological health of the region and protect threatened birds and fish.
Cluster Leader, Associate Professor