Science Publications
State of the Coorong discussion paper
The discussion paper seeks to build a shared high-level understanding of the existing and emerging knowledge of the Coorong to guide current and future restoration and adaptive management, with a focus on the southern Coorong.
It draws on the results of detailed investigations, including hydrodynamic modelling, nutrient cycling, aquatic plants, macroinvertebrates, fish, waterbirds, climate change and First Nations research.
State of the Coorong discussion paper - Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin Sep 2024
Scientific Trials and Investigations key findings
The Scientific Trials and Investigations Project (2019-2022) was specifically designed to identify and address scientific knowledge gaps to inform the development of targeted and effective management actions for the Coorong. Across seven project components, the project has provided the scientific evidence-base to inform management actions to improve the long-term health of the Coorong.
Trials and Investigations Project - Key findings
Scroll down for a range of T&I reports, factsheets and videos.
2022-23 River Murray flood - Monitoring ecological responses in the Coorong
Technical reports
- South Australian Murray-Darling Basin 2022-2023 Flood Environmental Response in the Coorong - Final Report (new)
- Coorong Water Quality Responses to the 2022-23 River Murray flood - Final Report (new)
Fact sheets
- Aquatic Plants (new)
- Fish (new)
- Macroinvertebrates (new)
- Sediment (new)
- Translocation experiment (new)
- Water quality (new)
- Environmental and ecological observations summary (new)
Storymap
Developed by the Goyder Institute for Water Research, the storymap highlights new research and knowledge, and how the environment of the Lower River Murray responded to the 2022-2023 flood event.
Scientific Trials and Investigations (2019 - 2022)
Scientific Trials and Investigations
- Trials and Investigations Project - Key findings
- Recommended actions for restoring the ecological character of the South Lagoon of the Coorong
- Coorong Dynamics Model sensitivity tests and gap identification
Southern Coorong Factsheets
- Nutrient cycling in the Southern Coorong
- The role of sediments in the eutrophication of the Southern Coorong
- Monosulfidic black oozes are anoxic and alter nutrient cycles
- Pathways to reversing the hypereutrophic nutrient state of the Coorong
- Connectivity and flushing
- The aquatic plants of the Southern Coorong
- Why aquatic plants are important
- Aquatic plant lifecycles in the Southern Coorong
- Algae affects recovery of aquatic plants
Understanding Coorong nutrient dynamics
- Coorong water quality synthesis with a focus on the drivers of eutrophication
- Sources and transport of nutrients in the Coorong
- Coorong nutrient cycling and fluxes
- A scientific evaluation to inform nutrient removal options for the Coorong
- Monosulfidic Black Ooze (MBO) formation, cycling and management in the Coorong
Investigating the drivers and control of filamentous algae and restoration of aquatic plants in the Coorong
- Coorong nutrients, aquatic plants and algae investigations 2022–2023 (new)
- The growth of aquatic macrophytes (Ruppia tuberosa spp. and Althenia cylindrocarpa) and the filamentous algal community in the southern Coorong
- Experimental testing of Coorong filamentous algal growth with increasing temperature and salinity
- Investigation of the application of remote sensing to estimate coverage of surface exposed (floating) filamentous algae in the Coorong, South Australia
- Distribution and seasonality of the Ruppia dominated aquatic macrophyte community and filamentous algae in the southern Coorong
- A restoration strategy for the Ruppia Community of the southern Coorong
- Microbial community composition of the southern Coorong including evaluating seasonal variation and sediment, water column, aquatic macrophytes and filamentous algae as substrates for microbial growth
- Growth, phenology, nutrient responses and ecological limits of the Ruppia Community and associated filamentous algal blooms of the southern Coorong
Restoring a functioning Coorong food web
- A synthesis of current knowledge of the food web and food resources for waterbird and fish populations in the Coorong
- The current state of food resources supporting waterbird and fish populations in the Coorong
- Primary food resources for key waterbirds and benthic fish in the Coorong
- Food resource availability, energy content and nutritional value of major food sources for key fish and waterbird species under varying environmental conditions in the Coorong
- Ecosystem models to inform the development of strategies to restore a functioning South Lagoon food web in the Coorong
Maintaining viable waterbird populations
- Review of the ecology, status and modelling of waterbird populations of the Coorong South Lagoon
- Assessment of Tolderol Game Reserve in autumn 2019 to support key species of Coorong waterbirds
- An initial assessment of the potential for wetlands in the South East and Lower Lakes regions of South Australia to support key species of Coorong waterbirds
- Response models for key waterbird species of the Coorong
- Recommended habitat quality measures for key waterbird species in the Coorong
- Assessing waterbird habitat quality in the Coorong
- Response models for waterbird species of the south-east of South Australia
- Spatial and temporal habitat use by key waterbird species in the Coorong
Science integration
- Summary of Coorong hydrological, biogeochemical and ecological models
- Application of the Coorong Dynamics Model
- Coorong decision-making framework, supporting ecosystem based management
- Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin Scientific Trials and Investigations data management framework
Climate adaptation
- Trajectories of ecological change in the Coorong and Lower Lakes, in response to climate change
- Preliminary climate change vulnerability assessment for the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth
- Preliminary adaptation pathways for the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth
Videos
A series of short videos have been produced highlighting the high quality, independent research undertaken by HCHB’s research delivery partner, the Goyder Institute for Water Research.
