We use monitoring, evaluation and research to assess environmental outcomes and inform adaptive management, using the below indicators that reflect the health of the Basin.
Read more about our Evaluation and Research work here
River Flows and Connectivity
Native Vegetation
Waterbirds
Native Fish
Cultural Outcomes
Species Diversity
Ecosystem Diversity
Food Webs and Water Quality
We work along 10 river systems within the Basin, conducting targeted monitoring and research to understand local ecosystem responses and inform water management practices. The data is also used to help inform Basin Evaluation.
Border, Barwon & Namoi
Darling and Warrego
Goulburn River and Northern Victorian Tributaries
Gwydir
Lachlan
Lower Balonne
Lower Murray and Coorong, Lower Lakes, and Murray Mouth
Macquarie River and Marshes
Mid-Murray
Murrumbidgee
Learn more about the current research projects of the Flow-MER Program.
This Flow-MER project developed a structured framework for assessing the condition of non-woody vegetation that incorporates ecological data and social values.
High rainfall in 2022-23 led to extensive flooding in the Murray-Darling Basin, boosting wetland health and supporting diverse plant and animal species.
Decoding the acronyms of the Murray-Darling Basin's water management programs, this article reveals how coordinated efforts ensure effective environmental water use.
Discover how science guides the use of water to sustain rivers, wetlands, and floodplains in the Murray-Darling Basin, ensuring a healthier environment.
Recent floods allow us to explore aquatic food webs, highlighting how river flows and flooding boost productivity and support diverse aquatic life.
Aboriginal knowledge and environmental water are revitalizing native plants like Nardoo, Old Man Weed, and Cumbungi across the Murray-Darling Basin.
Track the incredible journeys of Australian waterbirds with satellite technology, revealing their migration patterns and the critical habitats they rely on.
Learn how managing environmental water flows can enhance ecological resilience, helping ecosystems recover from disturbances and maintain their functions.
Discover the unique ways people connect with rivers, wetlands, and floodplains, and how these values shape conservation efforts for non-woody vegetation.
Scientists at the University of Canberra use mesocosm experiments to unravel how environmental flows impact food webs, from microbes to fish.
Murray cod populations are rebounding thanks to innovative water management strategies that restore natural flow regimes and support fish recovery.
Science guides water management in the Murray-Darling Basin, ensuring rivers, wetlands, and floodplains thrive, benefiting plants, animals, and communities.
