Identification of waterbird research priorities for the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth

This project identified and prioritised scientific research to inform management of the CLLMM region to support the viability of migratory and non-migratory waterbird populations under climate change. Firstly, we reviewed the global scientific literature to identify key threats posed to waterbirds by a changing climate along with documenting examples of direct relevance to the CLLMM region. Secondly, with the long history of CLLMM-focused waterbird research in mind, we engaged with a range of stakeholders to identify key knowledge gaps and information needs pertaining to waterbirds in the region. Through this process, we refined a set of proposed waterbird research projects and identified and developed new research projects to address these gaps and needs. Finally, we evaluated these projects based on: (1) the importance of the research for informing future management of the CLLMM, particularly under a changing climate; (2) the ability of the research to lead to improvements in the viability of threatened waterbird species; and (3) the significance of the project to stakeholders, and the project’s ability to engage community actively or passively in the research.

Eight key research projects were developed and/or refined through the consultation process: (1) waterbird telemetry (i.e. GPS tracking) to document waterbird habitat selection and movement at a range of scales; (2) DNA-based monitoring of waterbird food resources, diets, and pathogen load; (3) waterbird condition monitoring through community science; (4) targeted conservation modelling for key waterbird species to inform climate preparedness and restoration actions; (5) identifying water management scenarios to support colonial nesting waterbirds in the Lower Lakes; (6) quantifying human disturbance of beach-nesting and migratory shorebirds; (7) identifying sites of shorebird congregation immediately prior to the northerly migration; and (8) control-impact studies to understand the benefits of wetland restoration for waterbirds. Based on evaluation against the three prioritisation criteria, all projects were supported to some degree, with particularly high rankings for waterbird telemetry and targeted conservation modelling projects for key threatened, migratory or culturally important waterbird species.