Floodplain connectivity and inundation, Environmental Outcomes Monitoring and Research Program Report 2023 – 2024

Abstract

The connection between a river and its floodplain is known as floodplain connectivity. This connection occurs when the water in a river rises over the bank and spills onto the surrounding landscape, inundating the floodplain. These areas may also be inundated by overland flows from excess rainfall runoff within the catchment. The frequency, timing and duration of floodplain connection and inundation events are important drivers of the overall health of floodplain ecosystems. Connecting flows transport nutrients and sediments and enable native fish and other organisms to move between habitats. Inundation also provides water for floodplain vegetation and refuges like billabongs and lagoons, which are important habitats for native fish, frogs, turtles and mammals. The floodplain inundation information generated in this theme is essential for linking changes in floodplain flora and fauna communities to the associated rainfall and river flow events. This allows us to better manage water to protect and enhance these floodplain environments for the plants and animals that live there. The projects which study the impacts of water management on floodplain flora and fauna are reported within the Water Dependent Fauna and Water Dependant Native