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Lignum (Duma florulenta) flowers: (photo credit: Rebekah Grieger)

December 15, 2025

Finding lignum shrublands: a vital habitat for nesting birds

In the Namoi River system, much of the floodplain vegetation, including lignum shrublands, has been replaced by irrigated and dryland crops. While many areas have changed, resilient patches of lignum still thrive along roadways and on private farms, offering valuable habitats.

Rebekah Grieger

Sally Maxwell

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Early Eucalyptus sp. seedlings on the lower riverbank (photo credit: Rebekah Grieger).

Border, Barwon and Namoi

Native Vegetation

December 15, 2025

Rugged giants and tiny seedlings: resilience and establishment of river red gums on the Barwon River

River red gums are iconic trees of the Murray–Darling Basin, well known as the giants towering over waterways for hundreds of years. Researchers are concerned about the ongoing survival of these trees due to a lack of recorded seedlings, especially in the northern Basin.

Showcasing the Gwydir Wetlands

The Gwydir Wetlands is a floodplain ecosystem of international importance, areas of which are listed under the Ramsar Convention. The wetlands support threatened and vulnerable plant and animal species and ecological communities.

Aquatic Ecology Lab, University of New England

Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder

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A film showcasing the beautiful Warrego Western Floodplain

Darling and Warrego

December 5, 2025

Showcasing the Warrego Western Floodplain

Beautiful as it is rugged, the Western Floodplain of the Warrego (Warriku) River to its junction with the Darling (Baaka) River west of Bourke, covers over 10,000 hectares and boasts an amazing collection of habitats.

Aquatic Ecology Lab, University of New England

Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder

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The Flow-MER booklet cover featured on a deep violet background

December 2, 2025

Celebrating 10 years of the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder’s science program: Flow-MER (digital booklet)

This digital booklet captures that journey. It reflects the progress, partnerships, and knowledge built through Flow-MER – the Basin’s largest and longest-running environmental water science program.

First Narran Lakes waterbird survey for the 2025-2026 water year

Flow-MER waterbird ground surveys were conducted at 10 sites in the Dharriwaa – Narran Lakes Nature Reserve in August 2025, the first for the 2025-2026 water year.

Twenty years of Narran Lakes vegetation data

Vegetation survey data for Narran Lakes Nature Reserve, spanning 20 years (2004-2024), have recently been collated by the Griffith University Native Vegetation team, led by Dr Rebekah Grieger.

Jane Howard

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During vegetation surveys, transect tape is used to mark out contiguous 1x1m quadrats (Image credit: Megan Powell).

Macquarie River and Marshes

Native Vegetation

November 24, 2025

First Flow-MER riparian zone vegetation survey in the Macquarie River and Marshes Area

In September, the Flow-MER vegetation team surveyed 15 riparian transects within the Macquarie River and Marshes Area.

Jane Howard

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Macquarie River and Marshes

Waterbirds

November 24, 2025

First Macquarie Marshes waterbird survey for the 2025-2026 water year

Flow-MER waterbird ground surveys were conducted at 12 Macquarie Marshes sites in August 2025, the first for the 2025-2026 water year. Many parts of the Marshes were inundated, particularly in the northern nature reserve, creating feeding habitat for waterbird species.

Is the Australasian bittern returning to the Gwydir Wetlands?

In January 2025, researchers heard an endangered Australasian bittern in the Gwydir Wetlands, where the species had virtually disappeared. With only 1,300 left in Australia, they hope environmental flows will bring a breeding comeback.

2023–24 evaluation reports highlight Flow–MER Program’s impact

The latest evaluation reports from the Flow MER Program and CEWH highlight a decade of progress in delivering water for the environment across the Murray Darling Basin. Findings show how science, adaptive management and collaboration continue to shape outcomes for fish, birds, ve

Lignum data processing: Sharing the load

Researchers and Flow MER teams are using drones and deep learning to monitor how lignum responds to water for the environment. With 91% accuracy across four river systems, this collaboration is helping build a clearer picture of how floodplain vegetation recovers and thrives.

Professor Fiona Dyer

Jane Thomas

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