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Flow-ecology relationships: closing the loop on effective environmental flows
Citation
Davies, PM and Naiman, RJ and Warfe, DM and Pettit, NE and Arthington, AH and Bunn, SE, Flow-ecology relationships: closing the loop on effective environmental flows, Marine and Freshwater Research, 65, (2) pp. 133-141. ISSN 1323-1650 (2014) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2014 CSIRO
DOI: doi:10.1071/MF13110
Abstract
Providing flows for biota and environmental processes is a challenging water management issue. For society the ability and willingness to allocate water to sustain the environment is increasingly competitive due to escalating demand and as a consequence of climate change. In response, an array of environmental flow (E-flow) methods have developed. Our view is that few E-flows have been implemented and even fewer evaluated in a research and management context. Much of our science effort in E-flows has been directed primarily at method development, with less attention being given to monitoring, evaluation and subsequent revision of E-flow strategies. Our objectives are to highlight the lack of connection between current trends in E-flow literature and theory with assessment of the efficacy and practical application of these methods. Specifically, effective E-flows need to be explicit about flow-ecology relationships to adequately determine the amount and timing of water required. We briefly outline the historical development of E-flows and discuss how serial development of methods and techniques has restricted implementation, evaluation and revision. We highlight areas where methods are lacking, such as incorporation of data on flow-ecology relationships into operational use of E-flow methods. We suggest four initial steps that will improve the applicability, implementation and ultimate success of E-flows.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | adaptive management, environmental watering, floodplain wetlands, flow-ecology relationships, freshwater, rivers |
Research Division: | Environmental Sciences |
Research Group: | Environmental management |
Research Field: | Natural resource management |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Marine systems and management |
Objective Field: | Assessment and management of benthic marine ecosystems |
UTAS Author: | Warfe, DM (Dr Danielle Warfe) |
ID Code: | 93655 |
Year Published: | 2014 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 122 |
Deposited By: | Biological Sciences |
Deposited On: | 2014-08-12 |
Last Modified: | 2014-08-20 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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