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Conservation prioritisation for the Murray–Darling Basin: representation gap analysis and vulnerability assessment

The research focused on improving understanding of low flow requirements of environmental assets and values in a climate change context and developing a conservation prioritisation method to identify priority locations for future management decisions.
MD-WERP
Science and research
Environment

 

MD-WERP theme Environmental outcomes
MD-WERP research question How can we best prioritise water-dependent ecosystems for management to ensure representative populations and communities of native biota are protected and restored?
Project title Evaluating protection gaps and conservation prioritisation
Research lead Griffith University
Authors Jenna Wraith, Ali Chauvenet and Mark Kennard
Author contact details Ali Chauvenet
Mark Kennard
Date of publication December 2023
Report full title Conservation prioritisation for the Murray–Darling Basin: representation gap analysis and vulnerability assessment
Keywords Murray–Darling Basin; conservation; systematic conservation prioritisation (SCP); Marxan software; biodiversity; critical freshwater habitats; environmental water requirements (EWRs); native species; wetland habitats; migratory species; protected areas; climate change.
Summary of output
  • This report presents the key findings from a comprehensive evaluation of representation gaps for high conservation value aquatic species, ecosystems and habitats (biodiversity assets) in the Murray–Darling Basin. The study aimed to assess the protection status of biodiversity assets within existing area-based conservation measures and identify gaps that require urgent attention.
  • The analysis focused on the representation of biodiversity assets inside area-based conservation measures, the correlation between asset size and protection, and a vulnerability assessment of assets to climate change. The results provide valuable insights for prioritising conservation efforts and guiding future management decisions. 
Key findings / recommendations

Part 1: Representation Gap Analysis  

  • The evaluation revealed that the Basin demonstrates low protection, with 14% of the area falling within existing protected areas, key biodiversity areas (KBA), or Ramsar wetlands. Additionally, 24% of the basin is potentially waterable, and 4% falls into both protected and waterable categories.
  • The study found a significant correlation between biodiversity asset size and protection, with larger assets exhibiting higher representation within protected areas, KBA, or Ramsar wetlands.
  • These findings emphasise the need for targeted conservation efforts to address the representation gaps and enhance the protection of important biodiversity assets within the Basin.

Part 2: Vulnerability Analysis  

  • Our findings highlighted areas where significant climate shifts are expected to occur. We identified biodiversity assets within these regions that are likely to experience notable climate changes (temperature and precipitation).
  • This vulnerability analysis provides valuable insights into the potential impacts of climate change on biodiversity assets within the Basin. 
Target audience Water managers, researchers, Australia Government, state governments, local governments, conservation advocacy groups, First Nations advisory groups and individual First Nations people
Report
Publication title Published File type File size
Conservation Prioritisation for the Murray-Darling Basin: Representation Gap Analysis and Vulnerability Assessment 29 May 2025
PDF
2.94 MB

Published date: 19 May 2025