B Science (Hons)

Contact details for Ms Susan Lutton susan.lutton@griffith.edu.au

Thesis

Aquatic biodiversity and the ecological value of on-farm water storages on irrigation farms, Border Rivers catchment

Description

Flow-regulation along many river systems has reduced the incidence of flooding and, thereby, opportunities for maintaining floodplain wetland habitat. With the development of cotton growing in these areas, on-farm water storages (ring-tanks) may now represent a key form of aquatic habitat. This project will investigate the ecological value of water storages on cotton farms, with a focus on the Border Rivers Catchment. The principal objectives of this study will be to:

1. describe the diversity and abundance of animal communities within storages
2. compare aquatic diversity between storages and adjacent natural water bodies; and
3. determine the relative influence of habitat structure on storage communities.

The study will recommend best management practices to growers for promoting the animal communities frequenting their storages and the habitat attributes that may enhance these faunas.

Supervisor

Professor Stuart Bunn
Dr Fran Sheldon

Research expertise

• Freshwater Biodiversity, conservation and management
• Ecosystem Health Assessment
• Behavioural Ecology

Publications

• Lutton, S.J. (2005) Drivers affecting the aquatic biodiversity and the ecological value of water storages on irrigation properties: a conceptual model Environmental Research Event Conference Proceedings, Hobart, Tasmania