South Australia: Murray-Darling Wetland report: the deepening crisis

Abstract

Say the word “wetlands” in South Australia, and the Coorong and Chowilla floodplain, key wetlands in the Murray-Darling Basin, spring to mind. The iconic and internationally significant places, located at the mouth of the Murray River and near the border with New South Wales and Victoria, support a tremendous range of wildlife, including the Murray cod and birds that have migrated from around the world. However the Murray River and its wetlands are in ecological decline and some are on the brink of collapse. We have already lost 90% of the wetlands in the Murray-Darling Basin, and our wildlife is being adversely affected. Bird numbers are in dramatic decline - average numbers have fallen by 80% in 25 years. This catastrophe is largely due to the overuse of water for irrigation. Rivers and wetlands need water, and we need to give some back. This report outlines the deepening crisis of the Murray River Wetlands.