Impacts of groundwater extraction and variability in groundwater supply on ecophysiology of Australian vegetation

Funding: 2015: $56,500
2016: $116,000
2017: $129,279
2018: $69,779

Project Member(s): Eamus, D.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Research Council (ARC Linkage Projects)
Hunter Water Corporation (Hunter Water)
MidCoast Water

Start year: 2015

Summary: The aim of this project is to determine the response of trees to extraction of shallow groundwater. This is important because excessive depletion of groundwater resources has a negative impact on groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs), which rely on a supply of groundwater to maintain ecosystem health, structure and function. The results of this study will inform industry regulators and the water supply industry on how to improve management of both groundwater and vegetation resources. This proposal is innovative because it will combine a field-scale experimental depletion of groundwater resources simultaneously with alterations in rainfall input and measurements of tree responses.

Publications:

Cleverly, J, Eamus, D, Coupe, NR, Chen, C, Maes, WH, Li, L, Faux, R, Santini, NS, Rumman, R, Yu, Q & Huete, A 2016, 'Soil moisture controls on phenology and productivity in a semi-arid critical zone', SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT, vol. 568, pp. 1227-1237.
View/Download from: Publisher's site

FOR Codes: Natural Resource Management, Plant Physiology, Ecosystem Function, Forest and Woodlands Water Management, Expanding Knowledge in the Environmental Sciences, Plant physiology , Terrestrial systems and management not elsewhere classified, Terrestrial erosion

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.