Sedimentation from landscape clearance-induced soil erosion threatens waterhole persistence in a semi-arid river system, southern Queensland, Australia
Date
2023
Authors
Tibby, J.
Marshall, J.C.
Lobegeiger, J.S.
Amos, K.J.
Pickering, G.
Myburgh, T.
Editors
Unmack, P.
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Journal article
Citation
Marine and Freshwater Research, 2023; 74(12):1050-1070
Statement of Responsibility
John Tibby, Jonathan C. Marshall, Jaye S. Lobegeiger, Kathryn J. Amos, Giselle Pickering and Theresa Myburgh
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Abstract
Context: In arid and semi-arid river systems, waterholes are often the only refugia for aquatic organisms during no-flow spells. Sediment accumulation in waterholes reduces their persistence. Aims: To assess this threat, we surveyed the depth of, and dated, waterhole sediments from John Tibby Geography, Environment and Population, the Moonie River, a northern tributary of Australia’s largest river system, the Murray–Darling Basin. Methods: Fine-sediment depth was determined in three of the deepest waterholes in Australia 2010 and 2011 before, and after, the largest flood in over a century. The rate of sediment build up in two waterholes was also determined. Key results: In the deepest sections (>75th percentile depth), there was between 0.7 and 2 m of fine sediment in 2010. Following flooding, sediment depth reduced by 24–54%, with the largest proportional reductions in sediment occurring in the shallowest waterhole. However, net sediment accumulation is still 1.4–2.0 cm year–1 since the 1950s. Conclusions: Sedimentation has reduced the persistence of the deepest waterholes by over 200 days, representing an up to 30% reduction. During the longest droughts known in the Moonie River, this would dry many otherwise permanent waterholes. Implications: Sedimentation is a marked threat to waterhole persistence even following large floods.
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© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND).