Freshwater Ecology

Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research

Visit our website for information and downloads at: www.nre.vic.gov.au/ari
and navigate to the Freshwater Ecology pages
Freshwater Ecology Research
Freshwater Ecology is a leading
research centre providing services that facilitate
the ecologically sustainable development of land
and water resource industries and the conservation
of Victorias aquatic biodiversity. For over 30 years
we have provided government and non-government
agencies applied research and management advice
in freshwater and estuarine ecology. We have 33
highly skilled professional staff averaging at least 10
years experience in the field of aquatic science.
Electrofishing is an effective means of sampling native fish species. Photo:
NRE.
Freshwater Ecology is part of the Arthur Rylah
Institute for Environmental Research (ARI), a
leading centre for applied ecological research. ARI
is one of 15 research and development institutes of
the Department of Natural resources and
Environment, supporting integrated natural
resource management and industry development.
We have extensive expertise and experience in all
aspects of fish and macroinvertebrate ecology and
conservation, river health monitoring and river
restoration, including environmental flow
assessment. Freshwater Ecology provides research
services in a number of key areas.
Barred Galaxias Galaxias fuscus. A recovery program is in place for this
critically endangered species. Photo: Rudie Kuiter
Ecology and conservation
Freshwater Ecology undertakes research into
aquatic communities, including studies on the life
history and biology of fish and macroinvertebrate
species.
We provide:
identification of key management needs for
freshwater and estuarine biota
management recommendations for restocking
and habitat requirements for native fish
research into the conservation genetics of
native fish species
expertise in fish and macroinvertebrate
taxonomy
use of adaptive management predictive models
as a management tool
Threatened species - research on the ecology of
threatened native fish and macroinvertebrates
leading to the preparation of action statements and
recovery plans. Development and application of
software to assess and compare risks to assist with
the management of threatened native fish
populations.
Radio-tracking leaders in research on the habitat
requirements and movements of native freshwater
fish. We have pioneered in Australia the use of
surgically implanted radio and sonic transmitters
and the use of sophisticated remote aerial and
water-based receiving equipment.
Radiotracking carp in the Barmah region of the Murray River. Photo: Ivor
Stuart
Aquatic Fauna Information System data collated
from over 30 years of sampling and historical
records has enabled Freshwater Ecology to develop
a state-wide database containing the most
comprehensive information available on the
distribution of the aquatic fauna in Victoria.
Freshwater Ecology Research
River health and restoration
Freshwater Ecology undertakes research,
monitoring and provides management advice to aid
the effective management of waterways.
We provide:
management advice on river regulation and
river rehabilitation
integrated restoration and rehabilitation
strategies for flowing and standing waters
advice on alterations to instream and riparian
habitat
interpretation of fish and macroinvertebrate
distribution in relation to habitat and water
quality parameters
Environmental flows provision of advice on
environmental water requirements and the
application of numerous assessment techniques
(e.g. Stream Flow Management Plans, Bulk Water
Entitlements, expert panels) to maintain and
restore aquatic habitats and natural flow regimes.
This includes advice on current water supply
operational rules, determining water release
volumes and timing, and water extraction
strategies.
Stream health assessment expertise in the survey
and analysis of macroinvertebrate data for stream
health monitoring programs. Development and use
of predictive models such as AusRivAS and indices
such as SIGNAL and the Index of Stream Condition
(ISC) to provide an assessment of stream health.
Live-sorting macroinvertebrates in the field. Macroinvertebrates are used as
indicators of stream health. Photo: George Canale
Instream habitat restoration research on the
importance of snags as fish and macroinvertebrate
habitat and design and assessment of the
effectiveness of re-snagging programs.
Thermal pollution research into the extent of
thermal pollution within Victoria and the Murray-
Darling Basin, the physical changes to the thermal
regime and the resultant biological impacts, in
particular on freshwater fish.
Pest species management research and advice on
effective means of control and eradication of exotic
pest fish species such as European Carp (Cyprinus
carpio), Plague Minnow (Gambusia holbrooki) and
Oriental Weatherloach (Misgurnis anguillicaudatus).
Fish Passage experts in the assessment of fish
passage requirements and the design, construction,
supervision and assessment of fishways and other
instream structures to allow fish migration past
barriers such as dams and weirs.
A rock-ramp fishway was installed at this weir on the Merri River, enabling
up to seven fish species to recolonise its upper reaches. Photo: Tim
OBrien
Salinity determination of salinity research
priorities for aquatic systems in the Murray-Darling
Basin and for biodiversity management in Victoria.
Development of a system to predict loss of
biodiversity and risk assessment techniques from
changes in salinity.
Applied research for management
Research and advice by Freshwater Ecology has
contributed to the development of many national
and state policies and programs including waterway
monitoring, regional catchment strategies, river
restoration, Stream Flow Management Plans,
salinity monitoring and native fish strategies.
Some key publications from Freshwater Ecology
include River Restoration Framework,
Environmental Flows Methods Manual, Implications
for Rivers from Salinity Hazards and Biological
Information for Management of Native Freshwater
Fish in Victoria.
Freshwater Ecology Research
Capacity-building
Freshwater Ecology provides a range of education,
training and extension services that aid in capacity-
building for natural resource management
organisations and the general community. These
services include field days, education courses,
seminars, and materials such as posters and
brochures for a range of audiences.
Freshwater Ecology provides expertise for education programs such as the Great
Australian Science Show, the Alpine Ecology Course and field days in freshwater
ecosystem conservation. Photo: Gary Backhouse
Resources
Freshwater Ecology has a comprehensive range of
field and laboratory equipment for the sampling of
aquatic biota, habitats and water quality.
Equipment includes boat-mounted, backpack and
bank-mounted electrofishers, radio-tracking
devices, fish and macroinvertebrate nets, water
quality and flow meters. We also have a fully-
equipped laboratory and aquarium, access to a
large professional ecological library and a range of
statistical and population modelling software.
Fish sampling on the Murray River using an electrofishing boat. Photo: John Koehn
Linkages
Freshwater Ecology forms partnerships with a range
of scientific and management organisations on a
variety of projects to provide solutions that
enhance environmental outcomes in natural
resource management.
We are a member of the Cooperative Research
Centre for Freshwater Ecology (CRCFE), and work
closely with Catchment Management Authorities,
tertiary institutions, the Museum of Victoria, Murray
Darling Basin Commission, Land and Water
Australia, NSW Department of Land and Water
Conservation, South Australia Research and
Development Industry, and the broader scientific
community. We are active members of the
Australian Society for Fish Biology and the
Australian Society for Limnology.
FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information on our research programs
and capabilities contact:
Gary Backhouse
Project Coordinator
(03) 9450 8634
fax (03) 9450 8799
mobile 0428 380 979
email: Gary.Backhouse@dse.vic.gov.au
OR
Visit our website for information and downloads
at: www.nre.vic.gov.au/ari and navigate to
the Freshwater Ecology pages
OR
email: research.ari@dse.vic.gov.au
Freshwater Ecology is located at:
the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental
Research (ARI), 123 Brown Street, Heidelberg,
Victoria, 3084
ARI Reception
(03) 9450 8600
fax (03) 9450 8799