Synthesis of indirect impacts of climate...
URL: https://www.mdba.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/synthesis-of-indirect-impacts-of-climate-change-in-the-murray-darling-basin.pdf
Authors: David Robertson, Georgia Dwyer, Rebecca E. Lester, Galen Holt, Joel Bailey, Martin Job, Matthew Coleman
Date of publication: October 2021
The Basin has a wide range of social, economic, ecological and cultural values that are under threat from climate change. Projected higher temperatures and lower rainfall for the Basin will have direct impacts on the availability of and demand for water, the viability of some agricultural systems and the frequency and intensity of bushfires, among many examples. Secondary impacts will also arise that may amplify or modulate direct impacts, for example the changes in catchment runoff, and hence water availability, from changed bushfire regimes.
This report documents the state of knowledge of the secondary, or indirect, impacts of climate change and prioritises topics for investigation in the MD-WERP Climate Adaption Theme.
Key findings / recommendations
This report documents the knowledge of 9 indirect impacts of climate change on water supply, demand and management in the Basin used to prioritise detailed investigations during the co-design of the Murray–Darling Water and Environment Research Program (MD-WERP) Climate Adaptation Theme. These are:
- Catchment Interception by Farm Dams
- Increased Bushfire Frequency and Intensity
- Non-Stationary Hydrological Processes
- Land-Use Change
- CO2 Fertilisation
- Cropping and Farming System Changes
- Blue-Green Algal Blooms
- Hypoxic Blackwater Events
- Pest Plants and Animals
Existing knowledge is found to be variable in its ability to characterise the magnitude and geography of likely indirect impacts on water supply and management. In addition, new and emerging sources of data are likely to provide opportunities to update existing understanding.
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