Research and Reports

The Macquarie Marshes Environmental Landholders Association fills a vital role in advocating for Macquarie Marshes to ensure a viable future for the ecosystem and our community. Our association consists of local landholders, many of whom are third and fourth generation landholders in the area. We are dedicated to ensuring a healthy and productive marsh for future generations. Please take a look at relevant lists and reports below.

Murray Darling Basin Royal Commission Report

Murray-Darling Basin Royal Commission Report

The Murray-Darling Basin Royal Commission was established to undertake an independent investigation into the current state of implementation of the Basin Plan and whether the Basin Plan will achieve its objects and purposes and those of the Water Act 2007(Cth). It reported to the Governor of South Australia on 29 January 2019.

Biodiversity in the Macquarie Marshes

 
Frog Fungus in Macquarie Marshes

Finding killer frog fungus in the Marshes

By Joanne Ocock, 2013

Chytridiomycosis is a disease that frogs get from a fungus called Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis or Bd for short. It has dramatically affected amphibians, causing population declines in over 200 species worldwide.

Bats in the Macquarie Marshes

Bats in the Macquarie Marshes

By Rachel V. Blakey, 2013

Bats love wetlands and rivers. They need to drink water regularly, especially females who are nursing young. They also feast on all the insects that emerge from watercourses and some bats even catch fish. For every different type of environment in the Macquarie Marshes there’s a type of bat that uses it.

How important is River Red Gum carbon as an energy source in floodplain ecosystems?

Importance of River Red Gum Carbon

By Claire Sives, 2011

Carbon is the energy currency that drives floodplain foodwebs. This study looked at carbon in three different flood regimes- high (1-3 years), medium (4-7 years) and low frequency (8+ years between floods). This research is important to determine the knock-on impacts of the reduction of RRG due to altered flooding regimes in the Marshes.

 
Frogs in the Macquarie Marshes

Frogs of the Macquarie Marshes

In New South Wales, two-thirds of the frog species known, depend on wetlands for their survival. Frogs of the Macquarie Marshes are no different.

We have put together a handy informal guide so you can easily identify which frog you have come across.

These include a variety of burrowing frogs, tree frogs and other marsh frogs.

Macquarie Marches Birds

Birds of the Macquarie Marshes

Macquarie Marshes are home to over 200 species of birds and feature in many bird watching trail guides.

Macquarie Marshes attracts some very special birds during big flood years. These include, but are not limited to Pied Herons, Pygmy Geese, Magpie Geese, Wader species and Reedbed birds like Pheasant Coucal, Cisticolas and both grassbirds.

In protected, secluded spots massive colonies of over 250,000 nests of Ibis and egrets form in such years.

Below is a list of birds in the Macquarie Marshes for you to download.

Healthy Rivers - Healthy Communities

Healthy Rivers - Healthy Communities

By Terry Korn, Australian Floodplain Association

There are few things more contentious than water! And this is very apparent at present as we debate the future of water management in the Murray Darling Basin.

Underpinning the debate is everyone’s concern for the future and what a changed water environment will mean for them and their family, their business and their grandchildren.