Native Vegetation

Tree resilience but constrained recruitment success in the Lower Balonne

Autumn surveys in the Lower Balonne found hundreds of new eucalyptus and acacia seedlings sprouting along riverbanks, but grazing, drying soils and disrupted flooding patterns are putting their survival, and the future of these tree populations, at risk.

Flows, inundation and vegetation condition across the Gwydir / Guwayda Wetlands in 2024-25

New drone method helps track floodplain vegetation across the Basin

A new drone and LiDAR method is helping Flow-MER researchers monitor floodplain vegetation more accurately and at greater scale across the Murray–Darling Basin.

Watering event in Toorale and vegetation condition on the Western Floodplain

A record 2025 flooding event at Toorale National Park, driven by Queensland floodwaters, significantly boosted plant species richness, cover, and diversity across all four monitored floodplain communities.

Connection to Culture and Country by guli harvesting

The Gwydir River system is part of Gomeroi Country. Kerrie Saunders, a Gomeroi woman living in Moree, NSW, is passionate about harvesting native grains and using them to make traditional foods. One of these grains is guli, the native millet.

What the first Flow-MER vegetation survey found in the Lower Balonne

The first Flow-MER vegetation survey in the Lower Balonne recorded more than 180 wetland plant species, revealing strong responses to recent wet years alongside signs of drying and fire recovery across the Narran Lakes floodplain.

Collaboration in the Lachlan restores wetland habitat

Wilbertroy Lagoon and Evergreen Wetland are vital to the Lachlan system. Through a partnership between the CEWH, Jemalong Irrigation Limited and local landholders, environmental water was delivered – producing significant ecological and social benefits.

Finding lignum shrublands: a vital habitat for nesting birds

In the Namoi River system, much of the floodplain vegetation, including lignum shrublands, has been replaced by irrigated and dryland crops. While many areas have changed, resilient patches of lignum still thrive along roadways and on private farms, offering valuable habitats.

Rugged giants and tiny seedlings: resilience and establishment of river red gums on the Barwon River

River red gums are iconic trees of the Murray–Darling Basin, well known as the giants towering over waterways for hundreds of years. Researchers are concerned about the ongoing survival of these trees due to a lack of recorded seedlings, especially in the northern Basin.

Twenty years of Narran Lakes vegetation data

Vegetation survey data for Narran Lakes Nature Reserve, spanning 20 years (2004-2024), have recently been collated by the Griffith University Native Vegetation team, led by Dr Rebekah Grieger.

First Flow-MER riparian zone vegetation survey in the Macquarie River and Marshes Area

In September, the Flow-MER vegetation team surveyed 15 riparian transects within the Macquarie River and Marshes Area.

2023–24 evaluation reports highlight Flow–MER Program’s impact

The latest evaluation reports from the Flow MER Program and CEWH highlight a decade of progress in delivering water for the environment across the Murray Darling Basin. Findings show how science, adaptive management and collaboration continue to shape outcomes for fish, birds, ve