Southern dry-ups

Photo © Arthur Mostead

Drought conditions are still drying out parts of the Basin. Some wetlands and floodplains in southern regions are dry or almost dry, which means that many waterbirds and fish cannot reach these places for feeding and breeding. River red gum and black box populations are also declining or showing signs of stress as a result of the continuing severe conditions.

These drought conditions contribute to poor river health resulting in decreasing plant and animal numbers and loss of biodiversity. The results of one MDBC report shows that many of the Basin's six icon sites* have virtually dried up and cannot support waterbird communities and understorey vegetation (smaller plants). Records have shown that some icon sites have had no visiting waterbirds in the summer months of 2007-08.

The health of the Lower Lakes and Coorong, near the Murray Mouth in South Australia, is in decline due to the lack of freshwater flows. In response, numbers of wading birds have decreased, with the exception of the banded stilt and red-necked avocet that can feed on brine shrimp. Another report indicates Basin-wide declines in fish populations.

However, the good news is that new fishways are allowing fish to migrate along the river to other locations and major resnagging programs have increased the available habitat for many fish species between Lake Hume and Yarrawonga.

Overall, the condition of the Murray River system is poor, resulting in negative consequences for plant and animal populations. However, the fishways and resnagging programs have resulted in benefits to these populations.

A copy of the report with chapters on each icon site is available at www.mdbc.gov.au/__data/page/1327/2008_icon_site_report.pdf

* Icon sites - There are six icon sites along the Murray River as part of the MDBC's The Living Murray program. They were chosen for their high ecological value (most are listed as internationally significant wetlands under the Ramsar Convention) and also their cultural significance to Indigenous people and the broader community. See thelivingmurray.mdbc.gov.au/ for further information.