There are few long-term comprehensive assessments of the ecological condition of aquatic ecosystems in Australia, predominantly due to funding constraints. The Ecohealth program, co-funded by local and NSW governments, assesses catchment-scale condition across freshwater and estuarine systems in the North Coast and Northern Tablelands of NSW. Since 2009, the program covers geomorphic condition, riparian condition, macroinvertebrate community condition, freshwater fish community condition, water quality and estuarine zooplankton for more than 400 sites across eight major catchments. It has provided critical empirical data to validate risk modelling of intensifying landuse, and pre- and post- drought, major floods and bushfires, with its primary purpose to help management agencies engage with landowners and prioritise their on-ground investment. The real power of this coalition approach to catchment monitoring was demonstrated in the Richmond catchment following their poor report card in 2014.
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder’s Flow-MER program has assessed the ecological outcomes of environmental water in the Murray Darling Basin since 2014. One of the strengths of this program is its integration of monitoring, research and engagement, which enables targeted research to determine the mechanisms behind observed patterns, elevating the program from simply providing a status update to deepening our understanding of how these aquatic ecosystems function. Over the last five years, a collaborative research program has examined the drivers of productivity in the Warrego, Darling and Gwydir Rivers, providing insight into the patterns observed by the monitoring programs and deepening our understanding of how water for the environment can be used to increase the quality and quantity of basal food resources for aquatic fauna.
Although coming from opposite extremes of governance and funding, both these programs demonstrate the power of current, empirical data when combined with research and community engagement.