Geo-hydrodynamic modelling and estuarine evolution. We have accumulated considerable knowledge of the geomorphology, sedimentology and hydrodynamics of estuarine systems in southeastern Ausralia. This project represents the first rigorous attempt to combine these diverse factors to provide a process-based mathematical model of long- to medium-term sedimentation that can be used for environmental management. To be predictive the model has to use documented changes in the sedimentation histories o ....Geo-hydrodynamic modelling and estuarine evolution. We have accumulated considerable knowledge of the geomorphology, sedimentology and hydrodynamics of estuarine systems in southeastern Ausralia. This project represents the first rigorous attempt to combine these diverse factors to provide a process-based mathematical model of long- to medium-term sedimentation that can be used for environmental management. To be predictive the model has to use documented changes in the sedimentation histories of different estuary types over the past 8000 years in order to predict their evolution over the next 1000 years. The models that are developed can be applied to estuarine systems both nationally and internationally.Read moreRead less
An integrated modelling approach for efficient management of irrigated landscapes. Northern Victoria's irrigators use a substantial portion of water from the Murray-Darling Basin, which is under mounting pressure to satisfy competing economic, social and environmental needs for water in the face of climate change. Up to 20 per cent of this water may be on-farm surface runoff and deep percolation, with poorly known spatial distributions. This project will provide reliable temporally and spatially ....An integrated modelling approach for efficient management of irrigated landscapes. Northern Victoria's irrigators use a substantial portion of water from the Murray-Darling Basin, which is under mounting pressure to satisfy competing economic, social and environmental needs for water in the face of climate change. Up to 20 per cent of this water may be on-farm surface runoff and deep percolation, with poorly known spatial distributions. This project will provide reliable temporally and spatially distributed information on surface runoff and deep percolation for Northern Victoria irrigation regions. This will inform decisions which improve water use efficiency, agricultural productivity and environmental values through optimisation of irrigation infrastructure and by better management of groundwater resources and salinity.Read moreRead less
Role of vegetation patchiness and self organisation in the ecohydrologic response of water limited ecosystems to climate variability and change. The semi-arid Australian rangelands are some of the most sensitive regions to degradation and climate change, particularly with respect to hydrology and ecology. Our predictive ability in these environments is quite poor, however, climatic change (particularly changes in rainfall regimes) are expected to intensify vegetation patterning, intensify erosi ....Role of vegetation patchiness and self organisation in the ecohydrologic response of water limited ecosystems to climate variability and change. The semi-arid Australian rangelands are some of the most sensitive regions to degradation and climate change, particularly with respect to hydrology and ecology. Our predictive ability in these environments is quite poor, however, climatic change (particularly changes in rainfall regimes) are expected to intensify vegetation patterning, intensify erosion and reduce runoff. This project will develop a modelling framework to better understand the impact of these natural (climate variability and change) and anthropogenic (grazing, deforestation) disturbances on runoff and erosion in these regions.Read moreRead less
Scaling and assimilation of soil moisture and streamflow. Information on how soil moisture varies in space and time has been largely restricted to point-scale groundbased measurements. We will develop methods for predicting how soil moisture status evolves in time over a range of spatial scales, by assimilating groundbased measurements and satellite observations of soil moisture with streamflow observations into simple rainfall-runoff models. Extensive soil moisture monitoring will allow develop ....Scaling and assimilation of soil moisture and streamflow. Information on how soil moisture varies in space and time has been largely restricted to point-scale groundbased measurements. We will develop methods for predicting how soil moisture status evolves in time over a range of spatial scales, by assimilating groundbased measurements and satellite observations of soil moisture with streamflow observations into simple rainfall-runoff models. Extensive soil moisture monitoring will allow development of scaling relationships and validation for new satellite-based microwave radiometers. The project's outcomes will have significant benefits in relation to flood mitigation, salinity control and irrigation management.Read moreRead less
Carbon, nutrient and sediment dynamics in a semi-arid catchment. Carbon, nutrient and sediment dynamics has a large impact on stream ecology so our ability to better understand and manage disturbance in a catchment is essential if we are to better manage our resources and natural systems. The project will provide fundamental data and insight into carbon, nutrient and sediment dynamics in a semi-arid region.
Resilience in biogeochemical pathways along a catchment-to-coast continuum. Aquatic systems have degraded more in the past 50 years than any other time in history. Global pressures are further threatening their sustainability, but their complexity makes it difficult to understand how they are responding. This project will combine numerous state-of-the-art approaches to unravel pathways that shape their response.
A new-generation flood forecasting system using observations from space. Floods are dangerous and expensive, costing Australia more than any other cause of natural disaster. This project will use satellite measurements of soil moisture and rainfall along with computer models to improve the Bureau of Meteorology’s predictions of floods in rivers. Better flood forecasts will reduce costs and save lives.
Active-passive microwave soil moisture remote sensing: Towards sustainable land and water management from space. Soil moisture is a highly critical resource for the Australian agricultural economy which is stressed by climate change. Daily monitoring of paddock scale soil moisture from space represents a powerful tool to inform land management, allowing accurate crop yield and pasture growth predictions. At the continental scale, soil moisture information will result in better weather, climate a ....Active-passive microwave soil moisture remote sensing: Towards sustainable land and water management from space. Soil moisture is a highly critical resource for the Australian agricultural economy which is stressed by climate change. Daily monitoring of paddock scale soil moisture from space represents a powerful tool to inform land management, allowing accurate crop yield and pasture growth predictions. At the continental scale, soil moisture information will result in better weather, climate and extreme flood prediction skill and the ability to assess the effects of future climate change on Australia. It is therefore imperative that active-passive soil moisture retrieval algorithms be developed specifically for the Australian environment in order to take full advantage of the SMAP remote sensing mission when it is launched in 2012.Read moreRead less
High resolution mapping of surface and root zone soil moisture. Knowledge of the spatial and temporal variation of surface and root zone soil moisture content at high spatial resolution is critical to achieving more efficient water utilisation practices in agriculture. Australia's main river basins are under mounting pressure to satisfy a wide range of competing economic, social and environmental needs for water, particularly in terms of environmental flows and efficient irrigation. A better u ....High resolution mapping of surface and root zone soil moisture. Knowledge of the spatial and temporal variation of surface and root zone soil moisture content at high spatial resolution is critical to achieving more efficient water utilisation practices in agriculture. Australia's main river basins are under mounting pressure to satisfy a wide range of competing economic, social and environmental needs for water, particularly in terms of environmental flows and efficient irrigation. A better understanding of the soil moisture distribution at sub-farm scales will allow farmers to better utilise both the moisture in their soil and their limited allocation for irrigation. This will help alleviate soil moisture related problems in some of the nation's key catchments, such as the Murray Darling Basin.Read moreRead less
Efficient and Robust Prediction at Ungauged Catchments. Hydrological models are an integral part of virtually all environmental models formulated at the catchment scale. They are used in the planning, design and operation of water infrastructure. Despite the importance of these models limited rainfall and streamflow gauging forces these models to be routinely applied at ungauged locations where predictive power is poorly understood and almost always unsatisfactory. This project will directly ben ....Efficient and Robust Prediction at Ungauged Catchments. Hydrological models are an integral part of virtually all environmental models formulated at the catchment scale. They are used in the planning, design and operation of water infrastructure. Despite the importance of these models limited rainfall and streamflow gauging forces these models to be routinely applied at ungauged locations where predictive power is poorly understood and almost always unsatisfactory. This project will directly benefit model users by providing (a) robust framework for quantifying uncertainty and (b) improved predictions at ungauged basins. This will provide more realistic guidance for design engineers and policy makers and be of significant benefit to a large range of Australian water users.Read moreRead less