Natural processes supporting biodiversity in tropical rivers of northern Australia

Northern Australia's aquatic ecosystems range from massive floodplains and small billabongs that are teeming with life to small, forested, apparently unproductive streams. In this complex mosaic of habitats, plants and animals have evolved to create unique communities and ecosystems. Transformations of landscapes by humans (e.g. to agriculture or urbanisation) tend to diminish biotic diversity. Here we describe the living and nonliving canvas upon which northern Australia's biodiversity is drawn. This biodiversity supports valuable ecosystem services, providing fish and wildlife, grazing lands, recreational opportunities, and cultural and livelihood values, all of which are widely acknowledged by residents and visitors to the north (see Chapter 11).