The South Australian Murray Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board acknowledge the important contribution that the participants in the workshops and interviews had in developing much of the content for this report. These people are listed in Appendix C. We also wish to recognise the valuable contribution of Paul Jupp from the Centre for Natural Resource Management (CNRM) who attended the workshops and provided information for this Plan on the role of the CNRM. We also gratefully acknowledge the support and interest from Mel Morely and Belinda Lovell from Land and Water Australia (LWA) and the financial contribution of LWA to the project. The Board greatly appreciate the review of earlier drafts and insightful comments from Peter Hoey, Peter Butler, Peter Cale, Nigel Willoughby, Beryl Belford, Victor Sadras, Ken Stokes, Joe Keynes, Mardi van der Wielen, Keith Walker, Peter Wilmott and Paul Jupp. Their feedback has greatly improved the quality of the document. The Board thanks the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation and TAFE SA for their support

Disclaimer

Determining priorities for investment in research is not an exact science. The approach that has been used as the basis of this report was to consult with scientific experts, technical staff from the SAMDB NRM Board and with state agency staff with a long involvement in working on technical programs in the regional areas of South Australia. Every effort was made to get people to the workshop with the appropriate experience and expertise. Some individuals were unable to attend for various reasons, and where the authors felt that they had expertise that was not represented at the workshops, people were interviewed separately. There was not time to follow up with everyone who may have an interest in research in the region however.

The information from the workshops and interviews has been used, along with the experience and knowledge of the authors, to prepare this report. This report should be used as input into a discussion within the SAMDB NRM Board about their priorities for research which, for a range of reasons, may be different from those identified in this report. The report should not be used by the Client or any other person or persons other than for its intended purpose, without further advice from the authors.

Cover photo supplied by Paul Dalby

Prepared by

Paul Dalby &

Patrick O’Connor For the

South Australian Murray Darling Basin Natural Resource Management Board

Management Board

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Table of Abbreviations

CMA Catchment Management Authority

CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation DEH Department for Environment and Heritage (South Australia) DPI Department of Primary Industry (Victoria)

DWLBC Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation (in South Australia) EPA Environment Protection Authority (South Australia)

I&PC Investment and Program Committee of the Board (I&PC) IP Intellectual Property

INRM Integrated Natural Resource Management LWA Land and Water Australia

MECG National NRM Monitoring and Evaluation Coordination Group NAP National Action Plan

NRM Natural Resources Management

PIRSA Primary Industries and Resources South Australia R&D Research and Development

SARDI South Australian Research and Development Institute SAMDB South Australian Murray Darling Basin Region

SECWMB South East Catchment and Water Management Board

STI10 SA State Governments Science, Technology and Innovation Strategic Plan

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1. Executive Summary

This Research Plan identifies areas of interest and priority in research for the South Australian Murray Darling Basin (SAMDB) Natural Resources Management (NRM) Board. The Plan identifies priority research themes and topics for investment or co-investment of Board funds. Strategies for attracting co-investment in research are listed. The Plan aims to provide direction for the Board as an initiator and active participant in research and to provide research organisations and individuals with a clear statement on the research interests and priorities of the Board. To ensure the Plan is useful to both the Board and current and potential research partners, five components have been included:

• An overview of past and ongoing research and development;

• Description of major research groups and capability in NRM in South Australia;

• Priority topics for future research and development;

• A guide to maximising the benefits for the Board from participation in research and development; and,

• Steps to implementation of the research plan

The Plan has been developed in consultation with organisations and individuals with ongoing or potential for research partnerships with the Board. Organisations and individuals involved in the development of the plan were selected from a preliminary analysis of research capabilities, track record in delivering quality research outcomes in the past, and ability to attract co-investment and develop research programs.

The management of the natural resources of the SAMDB Region has particular national

importance because: a) the region includes the lower end of the River Murray, which is the water source for Adelaide and regional areas in South Australia and b) includes sites of iconic natural heritage such as the RAMSAR listed Chowilla Floodplain and the Lower Lakes and Coorong.

Because of the long-established importance of the natural resources of the region, there has already been a significant amount of research undertaken in the region which is described briefly in Appendix E.

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The process for developing this Research Plan highlighted a broad range of research topics where further knowledge and understanding could contribute to planning and intervention that would achieve better natural resource management in the region. These research topics need further description, which is outside the scope of this Plan, but all will deliver major benefits by providing the underpinning knowledge that will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Board’s investments. Prioritisation of critical research themes produced a list of eight high priority and ten medium priority topics (Table 3, Section 7) for development and implementation of research projects, and a range of research topics relating to social and institutional processes that have not yet been prioritised (Appendix N).

Priority Research Topics (from Table 3, Section 7)

• Inventory of biological/ecological assets

• Ecological restoration techniques/works including riparian, Strategic placement of vegetation

• Ecological impacts of different water management strategies in the EMLR

• Monitoring tools for adaptive management

• Tools for improved salt and water balance models for SA Murray

• Reuse of drainage water: Bioaccumulation, saline production of crops and fodder

• Biology, tolerance and adaptation of established and new crop and animal species to extreme temperature, trends in temperature changes and salinity of water/soil

• Biology, tolerance and adaptation of native species to extreme temperature, trends in temperature changes and salinity of water/soil

• Feasibility study for multiple use of water: environment, irrigation, and aquaculture.

• Scenario analysis of the likely future conditions of the NRM region

• Better understanding of groundwater/surface water processes to assist in water allocation planning, particularly fractured rock in EMLR

• Risk identification and management for ecological assets in terrestrial ecosystems

• Siting and design of irrigation systems to reduce water use, salt damage, and robustness to climate conditions, soil conditions

• Understanding of the links between water management, ecosystem management and biodiversity: threatened and iconic species.

• Matching cropping systems to perceived changes in the supply of water: Research and products to support adaptation to higher salt and lower water availability and higher cost scenarios for both high and low value crops.

• Basic ecological processes in terrestrial ecosystems to refine our conceptual models of how terrestrial ecosystems function and respond to pressure

• Tools for trade-off analysis between alternative ecological outcomes and water quality

• Key threatening processes to land resources, what we need to manage in the rangelands

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The SAMDB NRM Board will not have sufficient funds to support even the highest priority research topics as listed above in its own right, let alone the over 100 topics listed in Appendices K, L, M & N that were identified at the workshops. To cover the list of topics that the workshop participants suggest will improve the capacity of the Board to effectively deliver its programs, the Board will need to:

• identify research already done that it can make use of and create a culture of continual learning within the Board,

• encourage funding bodies and funding programs to invest in research that it regards as important,

• develop close partnerships with universities to capture student projects in the region on issues of importance,

• carefully co-invest to leverage other funds for research,

• undertake some direct investment in high priority areas where research outputs are required as a matter of urgency.

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7 The recommended next steps to implement this Research Plan are to:

1. Make investing in innovation a part of the business of the SAMDB NRM Board:

a. Make space for Innovation on the Board’s agenda (Include the Research Plan in the overall regional NRM Plan, Report against progress in implementing the Research Plan, Organise presentations on latest research to the Board members and staff);

b. Assign one person the task of promoting and championing innovation within the SAMDB NRM Board. The authors recommend the appointment of a Research Manager;

c. Encourage/require continual learning by the staff of the SAMDB NRM Board;

d. Provide opportunities for the regional community to be informed about the latest research and scientific viewpoints through public seminars and workshops;

e. Set aside funds for co-investing in research as part of the budgetary process;

f. Consider the establishment of a River Murray Research Panel

2. Review the priorities identified in Table 3 and research topics in Appendices K, L & M and assign relative priorities of social research in Appendix N;

3. Scope out particular research projects for each of the high priority research topics. For example, Sebastien Lamontagne from CSIRO has identified four discrete research projects that are gaps in the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth Research Program (Appendix O). The IPC could request that the lead organisations identified in Table 3 scope the research topics out in more detail, complete with a budget and identified funding strategy;

4. Prepare a Prospectus of research issues of interest to the SAMDB NRM Board, made available on the website, and send to all research institutions (listed in Appendices A & B) – a draft outline for a Prospectus is attached in Appendix P

5. Utilise the Centre for Natural Resource Management advice and brokering abilities;

6. Request that either the CNRM, or a similar broker, organise a science forum once every two years for researchers and technical experts to present research relevant to the SAMDB region to staff, the community and Board members within the region.

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2. Purpose

The purpose of this Research Plan for the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin is to identify research that addresses the key strategic objectives of the Board’s NRM Plan and Investment Strategies, and is consistent with the State NRM Plan, State Strategic Plan and State’s STI10 Science, technology and innovation vision. The Research Plan recommends priority R&D topics and outlines the role for the Board in future R&D activities.

Opportunities for co-investment and partnerships are identified, and the Plan outlines strategies for resourcing research.

This Plan has been written based on information generated through a consultation process with active researchers in the region and technical experts from state government and the Board.

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3. Background

In the 1990’s and early 2000’s, national NRM Programs such as the Natural Heritage Trust were reluctant to fund research. With the advent of the bilateral agreement for funding under the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAP), South Australian INRM groups were for the first time encouraged to invest in research. This was a result of recognition of the importance of sound scientific knowledge to underpin appropriate investment of resources in the management of natural resources. A greater focus of research has also become necessary with a move to more evidence- based planning processes and evaluation of impact at all scales of investment.

In early 2003, the Centre for Natural Resource Management (Natural Resource Centre of

Excellence at the time) established a Working Group to meet with regional INRM Groups to identify research priorities. This Working Group met with the South Australian Murray Darling Basin Integrated Natural Resource Management Group (the ‘INRM Group’), and Groups from other regions to identify their priorities for research relevant to the NAP, based on the information needs of their planning processes. The SAMDB INRM Group undertook a R&D prioritisation process during the development of the first Investment Strategy (seeking funding from 1/1/04 to 30/6/04) which fed into the Centre for Natural Resource Management (CNRM) NRM Research Strategic Plan and Innovation Portfolio 2003 – 2008. This prioritisation process identified a number of R&D projects that would assist in improving management of the region’s natural resources. A number of these projects have been developed and funded whereas others are still being fully developed prior to attracting funding (Table D4).

With this initial process now largely complete, and as a new Investment Strategy is being written for the 2006/07 financial year, it is timely that the SAMDB NRM Board reconsiders its information needs and research priorities. There has also been significant change in the research environment since 2003. The new e-Water CRC has started, a $140 million Centre that will undertake research on sustainable catchment and river management. The National Water Initiative has been

established, a $2 billion Program to improve water management in Australia. A $500 million Living

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Murray Initiative is being implemented. South Australia’s universities and research agencies have recognised the needs and opportunities inherent in the new NRM arrangements and are primed to work with regional NRM Boards to collaboratively develop exciting new research programs. In short, the stars are aligned for the SAMDB NRM Board to significantly advance its understanding of the natural resources it is charged with managing.

The SAMDB NRM Board recently reviewed research undertaken in the region between 1995 and 2005¹. The review identified nearly 800 publications that have been compiled in a database that is available online. This review will be an important tool for identifying research already undertaken (Appendix H), research gaps and researchers active in the region (Appendix I). The Board has commissioned the development of an integrated Research Plan:

• That addresses the key strategic objectives of the Board’s NRM Plan and Investment Strategies, and is consistent with the State NRM Plan, State Strategic Plan and State’s STI10 Science, technology and innovation vision.

• In a format that offers strategic direction to the Board by providing an overview of regional R&D, results of R&D gap analysis, recommendations on future priority R&D and the role of the Board in future R&D activities.

• That identifies opportunities for co-investment and partnerships, resourcing and budgetary implications, and the role of monitoring and evaluation.

.

1 http://www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/subs/research/search.php

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4. Approach and Methodology use to Prepare Research Plan

Key stakeholders of the region were invited to participate in one of four workshops, each of which addressed a number of themes.

• River Systems (River and riverine environments, Irrigation areas)

• Dryland Systems (Dryland cropping, eastern Mt Lofty Ranges)

• Terrestrial Ecosystems (Mallee, EMLR, Rangelands)

• Social Systems (Institutional governance and delivery, social capacity)

Research priorities were identified for each of the themes and integrated into a single research program for the region (Accompanying Document).

The Research Program was constructed within the following framework.

Research Theme Resource Condition Targets (where applicable)

Research Objectives (Identify at W/shops)

Priority Projects (Identify at W/shops and subsequently) Funding Sources

(Identify at W/shops and subsequently)

Research Leader(s) (Identify at W/shops and subsequently)

Research Gaps (Identify at W/shops & from database)

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4.1 When is it research?

For the purposes of this report, research is defined as a systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to discover or revise facts, theories and applications. Routine surveillance

monitoring is not included in this definition of research, because information from routine monitoring is being collected to inform managers of how a system is functioning, and the interpretation of the data is usually informed by current theories. However, monitoring that has been designed to answer specific questions on the effectiveness of management approaches or techniques (ie adaptive management) is regarded as research, because the intent of adaptive management is to collect information systematically with the purpose of revising current management theories or applications. While it is always preferable to collect information through research and formulate theories in advance of undertaking on ground actions, where action is required as a matter of urgency because of trends in resource condition decline, managers must act immediately, and build research into the management process. This process of adaptive management requires that knowledge is discovered as part of the management process, and new theories built as lessons are learned from implementing on ground actions or policies. The result of this approach is that

managers are constantly adapting their theories and approaches as new information comes to the fore and new theories are constructed and changed.

4.2 Background Assessment

A Background Assessment was undertaken to identify:

• other regional, state and national planning processes and how these relate to the development of research priorities for the SAMDB NRM Region (Appendix D);

• the needs of the SAMDB NRM Board for research, based on resource condition targets and existing Research Priorities (Appendix D);

• a list of researchers to invite to the workshops (Appendix I).

This was used to prepare a Background Paper for the participants of the workshop.

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4.2.1 Achieving consistency of research priorities at a national, state and regional level

There has been a considerable effort at a national, state and regional level to develop priorities for research activity with the aim of focussing research on areas of strategic importance. Table1 synthesises information from Appendix D and illustrates where there are consistencies between the three levels of priority setting for research into NRM.

The priorities identified by the SAMDB NRM Board are highly consistent with priorities identified in the State NRM Plan, but both of these have not captured the priority of overcoming soil loss and sodicity which is identified as a priority at a national level.

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Table 1. Comparison of Research Priority Themes at a National, State and Regional level (Summary of Appendix D)

National Research Priorities State NRM Plan SAMDB NRM Plan

Overcoming soil loss, salinity and acidity

Sustainable use of Australia’s biodiversity

Water, a critical resource

Ecosystem processes (understanding causes of problems and resource limits)

Marine and Estuarine Futures Hydrological and Salinity Processes

Natural resource repair technologies (lessening symptoms, fixing problems)

Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration

Transforming existing industries Sustainable use of Australia’s biodiversity

Financially viable and ecologically sustainable natural resource- based industries

New Industries

Social and economic issues regarding the use and protection of natural resources

Social and Economic Research

Responding to climate change and variability

Landscape and climate futures Landscape and Climate Futures Water – a critical resource Water and irrigation futures Water and Irrigation Futures

Hydrological and Salinity Processes

Indicators and evaluation tools to underpin the adaptive

management framework required by the Act.

Reducing and capturing

emissions in transport and energy generation

Developing deep earth resources

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4.2.2 Meeting the Needs of the SAMDB NRM Investment Strategy & Management Plan

A series of workshops were held to identify and define the priority NRM issues for the SAMDB for each of the four broad focus areas:

1. River Dependent Systems (including riverine environment/irrigated agriculture) 2. Rainfed Systems (including cropping & grazing in Mallee, EMLR, arid areas) 3. Social Systems (including Indigenous, social, institutional, governance, delivery) 4. Terrestrial Ecology

The outcomes of the Workshops were to:

• Identify priority themes and questions that require further research; to be classified into research that is already underway and research that requires new investment,

• Identify principle researchers for each research priority

• Identify potential co-investors.

Some key experts were unable to attend the workshops, and their comment and advice were sought in separate interviews. These people are listed in Appendix I and their views are summarised in Appendix O.

The SAMDB NRM Board has prepared an Investment Strategy² and Management Plan for natural resources in the region. The Management Plan identifies Resource Condition Targets (RCTs) to be met through investment in NRM in the region (Appendix J) and the Investment Strategy identifies seven Research Themes (Section D5, Appendix D). It is important that these are addressed as part of the process in developing the research priorities. Table 2 below shows which of these Priorities and RCTs will be relevant to each of three workshops. It should be noted that the workshop participants were not expected to just confine the scope of their thinking to the Resource Condition Targets and the existing Research Priorities. It is recognised that these are works in progress, and will change with time, nevertheless, they represent the “priorities” at the present moment and were useful context for the workshops. It should also be noted that there are no RCTs that relate to Social Systems at present.

2 http://www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/nrm/boards/samdb/invest.html

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Table 2. Relationship between Workshop Foci, Research Priorities and Resource Condition Targets Workshop Focus Investment Strategy

Research Priority Relevant Targets River Dependent

Systems

Marine and Estuarine Futures.

Water and Irrigation Futures Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration

New Industries

Landscape and Climate Futures

1. Maintain and improve the extent and condition of 65% of current floodplain vegetation communities in areas of high priority by 2020

2. By 2020, a 30% reduction in priority areas of floodplain currently affected by salinity from groundwater discharge 3. Maintain and improve the condition and connectedness of 60% of wetlands of high priority by 2020

4. Maintain and improve the condition of 60% of the littoral zone of high priority and high significance by 2020 5. By 2020, improve the habitat in all waters to permit successful recruitment of native fish, particularly Murray Cod, resulting from natural or manipulated flows

6. Recover 30% of water dependent ecosystems from pest infestation and minimize any further infestations by 2020 7. By 2020, to have salinity of water in the River Murray less than 800EC for 95% of the time at Morgan to ensure drinking water standards

8. By 2020, to have salinity of water in the River Murray less than 543EC for 80% of the time at Berri Irrigation Pump Station to ensure drinking water standards

9. By 2020, to have salinity of water in the River Murray less than 770EC for 80% of the time at Murray Bridge Pump Station to ensure drinking water standards

10. The phosphorous concentration in the River Murray is to be less than or equal to 0.05mg/L 90% of the time by 2020 11. The nitrogen concentration in the River Murray is to be less than or equal to 1.0mg/L 90% of the time by 2020 12. The turbidity level in the River Murray is to be equal or less than 80 NTU 90% of the time by 2020

13. Maintain blue green algal levels below the national standard threshold level for all sections of the River Murray and the Lower Lakes by 2020

14. Maintain and improve the stability of river banks, lake edges, sand dunes and cliffs by 2020

15. The Murray mouth open 100% of the time through fresh water outflows with adequate tidal variation to meet the needs of Coorong ecosystems

21. Recover 30 % of quality native vegetation, habitat and agricultural production areas from pest infestation and minimize any further infestations by 2020

22. By 2020 improve or maintain condition of terrestrial native vegetation focusing on identified priority areas and improve condition of 50% of remnant vegetation on private land as well as increasing vegetation cover by 1% in the agricultural region

23. Maintain and improve the conservation status of all threatened National and State listed species and regionally threatened communities and species by 2020

24. By 2020 groundwater resources will not have salinity impacts on land condition and will meet the needs of dependent ecosystems

25. By 2006 to have developed a RCT relative to irrigated and waterlogged land

26. The E.coli count in the River Murray is to be less than or equal to 150 EC/100mL for 90% of the time by 2020

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17 Workshop Focus Investment Strategy

Research Priority Relevant Targets Rainfed Systems Biodiversity Conservation

and Restoration New Industries

5. By 2020, improve the habitat in all waters to permit successful recruitment of native fish, particularly Murray Cod, resulting from natural or manipulated flows

6. Recover 30% of water dependent ecosystems from pest infestation and minimize any further infestations by 2020 16. 30% of flow maintained in watercourses of EMLR to sustain ecosystem function by 2020

17. By 2020 to have constrained the area of salt affected land within the region to 120,000 ha 18. By 2020, reduce the area of agricultural land at risk of wind erosion during June each year by 40%

19. Reduce recharge by improving dryland water use efficiency to 70% across the region by 2020

20. To have an increasing trend in Soil carbon levels in cropping soils leading to improved soil health by 2020 21. Recover 30 % of quality native vegetation, habitat and agricultural production areas from pest infestation and minimize any further infestations by 2020

22. By 2020 improve or maintain condition of terrestrial native vegetation focusing on identified priority areas and improve condition of 50% of remnant vegetation on private land as well as increasing vegetation cover by 1% in the agricultural region

23. Maintain and improve the conservation status of all threatened National and State listed species and regionally threatened communities and species by 2020

24. By 2020 groundwater resources will not have salinity impacts on land condition and will meet the needs of dependent ecosystems

Social Systems Social and Economic Research

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4.2.3 Participants

NRM Board and state government agency staff with a technical interest in research outcomes, and researchers with a track record of publishing relevant research from the region, were invited to workshops to identify future research needs and priorities, and to identify research capabilities and funding sources to undertake the research.

Recently an inventory of publications of research undertaken in the region has been prepared and is available online - http://www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/subs/research/search.php. This database was used to identify researchers with a strong track record of publications of research undertaken in the region. A summary of this analysis is tabulated in Appendix H.

This list has been used, along with advice from the NRM Board staff, to develop a list of invitees to the workshops series (Appendix I).

4.2.4 Summary of Background Analysis

• It is timely for the SAMDB NRM Board to revisit their Research Priorities for the region, to be consistent with the regional RCTs.

• The existing Research Priority Themes are broadly consistent with other regional, state and national planning processes, with the exception of soil science and management.

• There are experts with a strong interest in the region who are to be invited to a series of regional workshops to develop research priorities for each of four research focus areas:

1. River Dependent Systems (including riverine environment/irrigated agriculture) 2. Rainfed Systems (including cropping & grazing in Mallee, EMLR, arid areas) 3. Social Systems (including Indigenous, social, institutional, governance, delivery) 4. Terrestrial Ecology

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4.3 Workshop Outputs

Participants at the workshops were invited to consider the future status of the regional NRM assets and social capability with and without research. This was done to “lift the view” of the participants from research that they were particularly interested in, to research that would deliver the greatest benefits to the region in improving NRM outcomes.

The participants identified some significant risks to the SAMDB NRM Board in achieving effective and efficient outcomes from its investment that could be better managed by improving their knowledge base through a research program. Some of the significant risks identified were:

• The impact of climate change on the resilience of agricultural and natural systems;

• Lack of knowledge of natural processes will lead to poor outcomes from investment in rehabilitation or conservation, or even unintended, negative consequences of investment;

• Programs are not targeted effectively, due to lack of knowledge of community capacity and attitudes;

• Declining economic profitability from some sectors of the region;

• Continued decline in resource condition, despite investment in NRM.

Participants were then asked to identify research and research outputs (what the Board would get from research: databases of information, decision support systems, improved conceptual models etc) that would help overcome some of these risks and deliver better investment outcomes. They were asked to vote for those that they thought would give the best outcome for the region. This was not done for the Social Systems workshop because there were too few people to vote by the end of the workshop.

The research topics identified from each workshop (n=102) are listed in Appendices K – N. For each Workshop, the research topics are listed under common themes. The topics that received the highest votes are listed in Tables K1, L1, M1 (in Appendices K, L & M), under research that will improve understanding, manage the symptoms of degradation or solve degradation of natural resources. The highest priority research topics are listed in Section 5.3. Research topics identified outside the workshop process, through interviews with key researchers, are listed in Appendix O.

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5 Overview of Regional Research and Development

The SAMDB Region has particular national importance because it includes the lower end of the River Murray, which is the water source for Adelaide and regional areas in South Australia.

• The River Murray in this region is the subject of national efforts to improve water quality.

• The wetlands of the River Murray floodplain and the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth are nationally and internationally important ecosystems.

• The irrigation areas along the River Murray and the Mallee dryland cropping areas are important contributors to the economy of South Australia.

• The creeks and streams of the eastern Mt Lofty Ranges are under pressure, and include some rare and threatened communities and species, including native fish species.

A broad overview of the research and key researchers in the region, based on information in the SAMDB NRM Research Database³ is described in Appendix E. It is not intended to list all of the work that has been completed and published (which can be accessed in more detail through the online database), but rather to broadly outline the focus of past research activities, and to identify some of the most active researchers in the region.

Research themes where previous and ongoing research capability and experience exists are described in Appendix E. The core themes of previous and ongoing research are:

• Hydrology and salt load

• Fish ecology and management

• Wetland ecology

• Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth

• Nutrients in River Murray

• Sustainable irrigation

• Dryland farming systems

• Mallee biodiversity

• Rangelands management

• Pest control

• Revegetation

• Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges

• New industries

• Social and economic research

• Futures research

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6 Major Research Groups and Capability

There are five main public research providers in South Australia:

• CSIRO (www.csiro.au)

• Flinders University (www.flinders.edu.au)

• SARDI (www.sardi.sa.gov.au)

• University of Adelaide (www.adelaide.edu.au)

• University of South Australia (www.unisa.edu.au)

Each research provider has its own research strengths and rarely do they compete in research in a discrete topic areas.

There is also significant research capability in niches areas within State Government (DEH, DWLBC, Rural Solutions, Australian Water Quality Centre) and the SAMDB NRM Board.

DWLBC has commissioned an audit of research capability in NRM in SA⁴ which will not be repeated in this document. However, there are a number of important research groups with a demonstrated track record in delivering research in the SAMDB region, including current and ongoing research. These capabilities and lead researchers of these groups are briefly described in Appendix A. Appendix A is not an exhaustive list of research capability accessible to the Board, but is a summary of dominant and most experienced groups active in research in the region on the core research themes identified in the development of this plan. There are other individual

researchers who have a research track-record in the region, and other groups and individuals who have relevant capability, but who as of yet have had little experience undertaking research in the region.

Under the Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Programme⁵, CRCs have been established to bring together researchers and research users. The programme emphasises the importance of collaborative arrangements to maximise the benefits of research through an enhanced process of

4 Dalby, P. (2005) Discussion Paper: Research in NRM in SA. In Fusion Consulting for DWLBC

5 https://www.crc.gov.au/Information/default.aspx

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utilisation, commercialisation and technology transfer. It also has a strong education component with a focus on producing graduates with skills relevant to industry needs. CRCs bring together research expertise from across the country to focus on research topics of national importance. The CRCs that are relevant to the core research needs of the SAMDB NRM Board are listed in

Appendix B.

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7 Recommendations on Future Priority R&D

The following recommendations are made following consultation with researchers active in the region, technical staff from the Board, and technical experts from DEH, Rural Solutions and DWLBC.

The recommendations focus on the highest priorities for research identified by the technical and policy experts consulted, and are tabulated in order of Priority and Level of Investment Required (Table 3). Table 3 identifies the geographic scale of interest for the research (regional, state, national) and identifies the Resource Condition Targets (of the SA MDB NRM Board) that the research could help inform. Key research organisations with skills relevant to the research topics are listed.

Priority

The mechanism for assigning the priority level for each research topic was by a secret ballot of the participants at the workshops, although it should be noted that all research topics were identified on the basis that they would all deliver significant benefits to the SAMDB NRM Region and Board.

No prioritisation was undertaken for the Social issues at the workshop (Appendix N) because there were not enough attendees at the time of the secret ballot for a valid vote. Many of these are research areas that would be relevant nationally. Furthermore, no prioritisation was made on research topics identified by interviews held after the workshops. It is recommended that the IPC review all research topics, including those not already prioritised through the workshop process.

Investment Required

As with any investment, the answer to how much resources are required depends largely on how big the problem is, how fast a return on investment is required and what level of ownership in the intellectual property of the final product the investor is seeking. It should be noted that no

assessment of investment level required was made for social science topics that were relevant at a state or national level.

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Appendix F is a guide to what the Board expects from research organisations based on the

willingness and ability of the Board to invest time and money into the research and the timelines for achieving a research outcome.

Geographic scale of research

Research topics are relevant at different jurisdictional scales. Table 3 provides an analysis of whether the research is relevant to and should be undertaken with support from regional, state and/or national levels. The SAMDB NRM Board should focus its investment on research relevant at a regional level, but may decide to co-invest with other regions, research entities or jurisdictions to address state and national issues that could develop generic tools that would be useful at a regional level.

Key Organisations

Different research organisations have different strengths and interests. To assist the NRM Board identify who they should approach to develop the priority research topics, a column in Table 3 identifies those research organisations that are considered to be leaders in the topics listed. This does not mean that other research organisations do not have any capability in these areas. The CNRM, being an independent advisory body, can help identify research capability on behalf of the Board.

The key contacts for the different research agencies are listed in Appendix C.

Co-Investors

The Centre for Natural Resource Management has prepared a report outlining the research funding programs relevant to NRM, their closing dates and where to find more information⁶. However, researchers will also be aware of many of these and may be able to assist in identifying sources of co-investment and funding for research projects.

6 Dalby, P. (2005) Research funding opportunities for NRM Boards in SA. In Fusion Consulting for DWLBC.

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Table 3: Highest priority research topics identified in the workshops

R = Regional scale, S= State scale, N = National Scale, H = High, M = Medium, L = Low

Research Topic Scale of

Interest Investment

Required Priority Key

organisations R11.Tools for improved salt and water balance models for SA Murray R/S/N M H DWLBC

CSIRO L&W R10. Reuse of drainage water: Bioaccumulation, saline production, smart

SIS that adds economic value - Crops and technologies for mod-high salt R/S/N L H SARDI CRC FFS

D2. Ecological impacts of different water management strategies in EMLR R/S L H Uni Adelaide SARDI

D11. Biology, tolerance and adaptation of established and new crop and animal species to extreme temperature, trends in temperature changes and salinity of water/soil

S/N L H Uni Adelaide

SARDI CRC IF D8. Biology, tolerance and adaptation of native species to extreme

temperature, trends in temperature changes and salinity of water/soi R/S/N L H Uni Adelaide Flinders Uni

SARDI Uni SA D9. & T4 Ecological restoration techniques, Strategic placement of

vegetation, Revegetation techniques S/R M H Uni Adelaide

DEH DWLBC CSIRO L&W Rural Solutions T2. Inventory of biological/ecological assets for terrestrial and aquatic

ecosystems R M H DEH

Uni Adelaide Flinders Uni

Uni SA SARDI Aquatic

Sciences

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organisations T1. Monitoring for adaptive management

• Tools for providing feedback to managers on the effectiveness of their actions

• Large scale “living laboratory” experiments where managers try and number of approaches and compare their effectiveness

R/S/N M H DEH DWLBC

Uni SA R5. Siting and design of irrigation systems to reduce water use, salt

damage, robustness to climate conditions, soil conditions - Output: Land suitability with regard to climate interaction

R/S/N M M CSIRO L&W

SARDI DWLBC CRC IF Rural Solutions R3. Understanding of the links between water management, ecosystem

management and biodiversity: threatened and iconic spp. R M M Uni Adelaide DWLBC

SARDI R6. Matching cropping systems to perceived changes in the supply of

water: Research and products to support adaptation to higher salt and lower water availability and higher cost scenarios for both high and low value crops.

R/S/N M M SARDI

CSIRO L&W Uni Adelaide

CRC IF R29. Scenario analysis of the likely future conditions of the NRM region:

Flow across the border and climate R/S/N H M CSIRO L&W

SARDI MDBC CRC IF R20. Tools for trade-off analysis between alternative ecological outcomes

and water quality R L M Uni Adelaide

SARDI AWQC R18. Feasibility study for multiple use of water: environment, irrigation,

aquaculture. Alternative sources of water? Alternative uses for different quality water?

R H M Uni Adelaide

SARDI CSIRO L&W

CRC IF Rural Solutions

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organisations D6. Key threatening processes to land resource, what we need to manage

in the rangelands R/S L M Uni Adelaide

Uni SA DWLBC Flinders Uni

CRC DK T3. Risk identification and management for ecological assets in terrestrial

ecosystems (other than rangelands – see D6) R H M DEH

Uni SA Rural Solutions D3. Better understanding of groundwater/surface water processes to

assist in water allocation planning, particularly fractured rock in EMLR S M M DWLBC CSIRO L&W

Uni Adelaide e-Water CRC T5. Basic ecological processes in terrestrial ecosystems to refine our

conceptual models of how terrestrial ecosystems function and respond to pressure

S/N L M DEH

Uni SA S21, S22, S23 Mapping community capability, attitudes, demographic

trends R H CSIRO L&W

Flinders Uni Rural Solutions S18, S19, S20 Mapping industry and institutional capacity, attitudes,

influence, trends

R H CSIRO L&W

Flinders Uni Uni Adelaide

Uni SA

S25. Value “volunteerism” in SAMDB R L Uni Adelaide

Flinders Uni S1. Test incentives and market based instruments before implementing

them in practice (eg. Policy “wind tunnel” experiments)

R/S/N H CSIRO L&W

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organisations S2&S6. Understand farm investment decisions with respect to NRM

outcomes. Understand the different responses of people to incentives spatially in the landscape

R/S/N H CSIRO L&W

Uni Adelaide Uni SA S7. Assess NRM groups areas likely to respond to NRM change projects R/S/N H Rural Solutions D15-18. Stock take of methods and tools available for undertaking

research to improve social understanding S/N Flinders Uni

Rural Solutions S5. Mapping pathways to changed practices in NRM N

S9. What could encourage private investment from outside the region to

bring about landscape change? S/N

S10. What are the handful of approaches for coordinating biophysical,

social and economic systems? N

S11. Tools to value non-market outcomes N S3,S8 & S13. What other economic tools can replace Benefit:Cost

Analysis, which are strongly influenced by time for benefit to emerge and the discount rate used. Non-Market Based Instruments for influencing behaviour change

N

S14 & 16. Challenge the notion of “self-interest” within communities, and identify the level of “pro-social” behaviour (a willingness to help another person without expecting a reciprocal benefit). Explore institutional alternatives to the dichotomy of public-private rights. Explore the use of community/district accountability frameworks versus individual

accountability frameworks

N

S17. Identify the potential for the “dark side” of volunteerism/community

governance N

CRC DK = CRC Desert Knowledge, CRC IF = CRC Irrigation Futures, DEH = Department of Environment and Heritage (SA), DWLBC = Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, MDBC = Murray Darling Basin Commission, SARDI = South Australian Research and Development Institute

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7.1 Strategic Relevance of Priority Research Topics to Other Planning Processes

An analysis of the Priority Research Topics (listed in Table 3) against the Resource Condition Targets (Table 4) illustrates that some targets are the subject of considerable research, while others have not been identified as requiring further research. Those RCTs that have not had research identified are:

• All RCTs relating to water quality, other than salinity (RCTs 10, 11, 12, 13, 26). Justin Brookes from the University of Adelaide has provided some advice on research topics relevant to this area following the workshops.

o R33, Biogeochemistry of wetlands: When wetlands are watered, primary production increases which results in a deposition of fine and course-sized plant material. This acts as a mulch on the soil and a carbon load to the River when there is a final draw-down. What is the impact of this on the wetland and River systems. How can managers avoid black-water events and minimise the chances of acid build-up (through salt/iron oxide interactions)? (Links to R3)

o R34. What is the contribution of different “assets” and land systems along the River to nutrient loads?

o R35. Why is there an acid slug of water along the bottom of the River between Mannum and Tailem Bend?

o R36. Nitrogen denitrifies the longer it remains in an aquatic system. In a River system with few inputs (like the contained channel of the River Murray), does this mean that the concentration of nitrogen decreases the further you move down the River and what impact does this have on river primary productivity? What are the flow on impacts down the food chain?

• Pest management (RCT 6).

Furthermore, Sebastien Lamontagne from CSIRO has identified gaps in the research activity that is currently underway in the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth:

• R37. The need to determine experimentally the water regime requirements and salt tolerance for key Ruppia species in the Coorong.

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• R38. Research to improve the water and salt balance models for the Lower Lakes.

• R39. Predict the impact of water regime change on the Lower Lakes wetlands.

• R40. Better understand and quantify the exchanges through the Murray Mouth.

The research topics identified by Drs Brookes and Lamontagne were provided following the workshops and so have not been included in the prioritisation process.

In Appendix D, an in depth analysis of the link between research themes and other planning processes has been made (State Strategic Plan, National Research Priorities, STI10, State NRM Plan, SAMDB NRM Plan). A summary of this analysis has been integrated with the research topics identified to illustrate where the identified Priority Research Topics align with regional, state and national planning processes (Table 5).

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Table 4: Research Topic by Resource Condition Target

Research Topic 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Inventory of biological/ecological assets

Ecological restoration techniques/works including riparian, Strategic placement of vegetation

Understand the ecological impacts of different water management strategies within the River Murray system

Monitoring for adaptive management

Tools for improved salt and water balance models for SA Murray Reuse of drainage water: Bioaccumulation, saline production, smart SIS that adds economic value - Crops and technologies for mod-high salt Biology, tolerance and adaptation of established and new crop and animal species to extreme temperature, trends in temperature changes and salinity of water/soil

Biology, tolerance and adaptation of native species to extreme temperature, trends in temperature changes and salinity of water/soil Feasibility study for multiple use of water: environment, irrigation, aquaculture.

Scenario analysis of the likely future conditions of the NRM region: Flow across the border and climate

Better understanding of groundwater/surface water processes to assist in water allocation planning, particularly fractured rock

Risk identification and management

Siting and design of irrigation systems to reduce water use, salt damage, robustness to climate conditions, soil conditions - Output: Land suitability with regard to climate interaction

Understanding of the links between water management, ecosystem management and biodiversity: threatened and iconic spp.

Research and products to support adaptation to higher salt and lower water availability and higher cost scenarios for both high and low value crops.

Ecological flows in EMLR Revegetation technologies Basic ecological processes Refine our conceptual models

Tools for trade-off analysis between alternative ecological outcomes and water quality

Key threatening processes to land resource, what we need to manage in the rangelands

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Table 5: Comparison of Research Priority Themes at a National, State and Regional level

National Research Priorities State NRM Plan SAMDB Research Themes SAMDB Research Priorities Overcoming soil loss, salinity and

acidity

Water – a critical resource

Ecosystem processes (understanding causes of problems and resource limits)

Marine and Estuarine Futures.

• D3a. Better understanding of groundwater/surface water processes to assist in water allocation planning, particularly fractured rock in EMLR

• R3. Understanding of the links between water management, ecosystem management and biodiversity:

threatened and iconic species.

• D2. Ecological flows in EMLR

• R20. Tools for trade-off analysis between alternative ecological outcomes and water quality

• D6. Key threatening processes to land resource, what we need to manage in the rangelands

Sustainable use of Australia’s

biodiversity Natural resource repair

technologies (lessening symptoms, fixing problems)

Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration

• T2. Inventory of biological/ecological assets

• D9 & T4 Ecological restoration techniques/works, strategic placement of vegetation, revegetation technologies

• T5. Basic edological processes in terrestrial ecosystems to refine our conceptual models of how terrestrial ecosystems function and respond to pressure

• T3. Risk identification and management for ecological assets in terrestrial ecosystems

Transforming existing industries Sustainable use of Australia’s biodiversity

Financially viable and ecologically sustainable natural resource- based industries

New Industries ^• R10. Reuse of drainage water: Bioaccumulation, saline production, smart SIS that adds economic value - Crops and technologies for mod-high salt

Social and economic issues regarding the use and protection of natural resources

Social and Economic Research • See Appendix N

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National Research Priorities State NRM Plan SAMDB Research Themes SAMDB Research Priorities Responding to climate change

and variability Landscape and climate futures Landscape and Climate Futures ^• D8. Biology, tolerance and adaptation of native species to extreme temperature, trends in temperature changes and salinity of water/soil

• D11. Biology, tolerance and adaptation of established and new crop and animal species to extreme temperature, trends in temperature changes and salinity of water/soil

• R29. Scenario analysis of the likely future conditions of the NRM region: Flow across the border and climate

• R5. Siting and design of irrigation systems to reduce water use, salt damage, robustness to climate conditions, soil conditions - Output: Land suitability with regard to climate interaction

Water – a critical resource Water and irrigation futures Water and Irrigation Futures ^• D3b. Understand the ecological impacts of different water management strategies within the River Murray system

• R11. Tools for improved salt and water balance models for SA Murray

• R18. Feasibility study for multiple use of water:

environment, irrigation, aquaculture.

• R5. Siting and design of irrigation systems to reduce water use, salt damage, robustness to climate conditions, soil conditions - Output: Land suitability with regard to climate interaction

• R5. Matching cropping systems to perceived changes in the supply of water: Research and products to support adaptation to higher salt and lower water availability and higher cost scenarios for both high and low value crops.

Indicators and evaluation tools to underpin the adaptive

management framework required by the Act.

• T1. Monitoring for adaptive management

• T3. Risk identification and management for ecological assets in terrestrial ecosystems

Reducing and capturing

emissions in transport and energy generation

Developing deep earth resources

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8 The Role of the Board in Future R&D Activities

The SAMDB NRM Board will not have sufficient funds to support even the highest priority research topics as listed in this Plan in its own right, let alone the over 100 topics listed in Appendices K-O that were identified at the workshops. To cover the list of topics that the workshop participants suggest will improve the capacity of the Board to effectively deliver its programs, the Board will need to:

• identify research already done that it can make use of,

• encourage funding bodies and funding programs to invest in priority research,

• develop close partnerships with universities to capture student projects in the region on issues of importance,

• careful co-investment to leverage other funds for research,

• some direct investment in high priority areas where research outputs are required as a matter of urgency.

The Centre for Natural Resource Management is a critically important partner in achieving these outcomes. The Centre has been established with the specific task of assisting NRM Boards in South Australia to engage with the research sector.

8.1 Creating a Culture of Continual Learning

There is an enormous body of research undertaken both within and outside the region that could help inform the Board, its staff and the broader community on how to best manage natural resources in the region. The Research Database⁷ will assist in identifying research and active researchers but it is a tool to help begin searching for information, not the sum of all knowledge.

It is important that the Board, its staff and the broader community are continually updating their knowledge and understanding of the best science available in relation

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to the Boards investment program and on ground delivery. This is the best investment the Board can make, because for a small investment, it can access potentially hundreds of millions of dollars of research activity. Such an outcome can be achieved through developing partnerships with researchers and research organisations (see below), and building a culture of continual learning within the organisation. This could include:

• Inviting researchers to speak to the Board and staff about relevant research;

• Organising Community Forums for scientists to interact with the broader community, and share ideas and knowledge;

• Encouraging, or requiring, technical staff to continually update their

knowledge by attending workshops, conferences, seminars and short course training as part of their job, and making sure they have the time and access to financial support to attend;

• Employing a Research Manager/Coordinator to build partnerships with research organisations, manage investment and co-investment in research projects, encourage and facilitate continual learning by staff and Board members, attract research funds and activity into the region.

8.2 Engage with Research Already Funded

There are other groups with an interest in research in the SAMDB Region who are investing in research. For example, the CRC irrigation Futures, CSIRO Water for a Healthy Country and the e-Water CRC are all investing in research in the region.

These groups will invest in research in the SAMDB region regardless of the SAMDB Priorities. The Board should make themselves aware of these groups by inviting them to speak to the Board to areas of mutual interest. This obviously reduces the need for the Board to invest directly in new research. Some of the key investor groups are listed in Appendix G.

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8.3 Developing Individual and Institutional Partnerships

The SAMDB NRM Board can develop partnerships at an individual and institutional level. In doing so, the Board should be cognisant of the fact that scientists and their institutions are not necessarily driven by the need to provide the Board with endless free technical advice. They are researchers who are judged by the quantity and quality of research they undertake. By building relationships that provide benefit to both parties, the Board can expect a fruitful relationship with the research community, which will provide knowledge that can be used to improve the Board’s ability to manage natural resources in the SAMDB region. Furthermore, the Board can play an important role in coordinating research in its region from across a number of different research providers and ensure coordination and communication across these groups.

8.3.1 Individual Relationships

Individuals with a passion for research in the region and who are capable researchers will find resources to undertake their research. The Board will obtain great value in cultivating these individuals by:

• Inviting them to speak to the Board and its staff on their research and its implications for the Board’s investment;

• Promoting the outcomes of the research of these individuals in newsletters, websites and forums;

• Inviting them to participate in the design of on-ground works in a way that more easily enables scientific analysis;

• Linking them to larger, institutional research programs (see below)

• Where possible, providing support funds for research, either as matching or as the major investor.

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8.3.2 Institutional Partnerships

The following organisations and groupings are the principle organisations that the Board should be developing close relationships with. Coordinators and Leaders of these are listed in Appendices A,B and C.

Centre for Natural Resource Management

The Centre for Natural Resource Management (CNRM) has been established specifically to act as a broker between research providers and regional NRM groups in SA. It is unique in Australia in this regard. The CNRM was successful in receiving some funding from the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality which has supported research, much of it in the SAMDB region. A list of the research supported by the CNRM is documented in Table D1.

The CNRM has a Technical Working Group (TWG) with representation from research providers, the State and Commonwealth Governments and the regional NRM Boards.

The TWG can help regional groups identify research capability and assess the merit of research proposals.

Tri-State Forum

The SAMDB NRM Region is part of a larger Lower Murray Region under the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, which also includes the Wimmera CMA, Mallee CMA and Lower Murray Darling CMA. Representatives from each of these regions meet regularly to identify opportunities for cooperation and co-investment. It is a useful forum for identifying and co-investing in research projects relevant to the Lower Murray region, that could help off-set some of the costs of research for the SAMDB region.

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