Research priorities to enable biodiversity resilience of inland aquatic ecosystems
Water is among the most highly sought after natural resources for life on earth, for drinking, to sustain the environment and for development. Inland waters in WA face various threats and impacts due to both natural and human-induced factors. Significant research projects have been undertaken to date to enhance the resilience of inland waters, and while notable progress has been achieved, challenges remain.
Driven by end user needs, WABSI undertook extensive consultation with stakeholders who helped scope, define and set research priorities, resulting in the development of this program. It delivers a transformative shift in our understanding and application of sustainable inland water management, driving conservation, restoration, and long-term resilience of inland aquatic ecosystems across WA. It helps address current and future challenges including knowledge gaps, with the following focus: Knowledge priorities associated with the health of inland waters to support Western Australia’s biodiversity and provide ecosystem services.
Through an integrated and collaborative approach, the program aims to optimise the use of available resources to achieve improved biodiversity outcomes, leading to inland water ecosystems that:
- Sustain critical ecosystem services that support both human wellbeing and
ecological health. - Nurture and protect a rich diversity of endemic flora and fauna.
- Be managed through the combined strengths of Traditional Owner and western
knowledge systems, ensuring resilience in the face of climate change and rapid
development. - Flourish with robust and thriving biodiversity.
Key themes, research focus areas and associated end user knowledge gaps are featured below.
Find out more – Download the research program
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