How Data Data inputs to the evaluation of ecosystem type include: the interim Australian National Aquatic Ecosystems (ANAE) Classification and typology of the Murray–Darling Basin () the LTIM Project M&E Provider data collected using the LTIM Project Standard Protocol: Ecosystem Type spatial representation of watering extent for all Commonwealth environmental deliveries determined using: the LTIM Project M&E Provider mapping of watering extent delivery partner operational monitoring modelled inundation (see Hydrological connectivity). Developing the evaluation approach Ecosystem types that receive Commonwealth environmental water will be identified and compared to all ecosystem types known to occur. This will be performed for each Selected Area and cumulatively across all Selected Areas. Information on ecosystem types that receive Commonwealth environmental water outside the Selected Areas will be incorporated into this evaluation where available. Australian National Aquatic Ecosystems attribution errors identified at monitoring will be collated. Consistent errors that can be applied to unmonitored areas will be identified. The ANAE typology of Brooks et al. () will be applied to the corrected attributes to create a revised ecosystem type layer for the Basin. A measure of the error rate (e.g. expressed as number of attribution errors per 100 polygons of each ecosystem type) will provide a basis for documenting uncertainty when extrapolating or modelling outcomes at unmonitored sites. The corrected ecosystem type classification will be used as the basis for all subsequent evaluation. Fish population(s) Why Native fish diversity, condition, reproduction and recruitment contribute to the biodiversity objectives stated in the Plan. Native fish are affected by flow both directly through cues to migration and reproduction and indirectly through effects on water quality and habitat and through biotic interactions such as competition and predation. This means that fish are an excellent indicator species for the biodiversity outcomes of environmental watering. Fish population data thereby support adaptive management of environmental water. The public interest in fish also means that their presence and information about population change are useful from a communication and engagement perspective for CEWO. The flow–ecology relationships for Australian native fish in the Basin have been investigated at a number of spatial and temporal scales. This provides a strong foundation for both qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the outcomes of Commonwealth environmental water as well as for input to adaptive management. What This component of the Basin Evaluation will address the following Basin-scale evaluation questions: Long-term (five-year) question:
Decomposition Aggregation of Selected Area data and predictions from other areas The effect of Commonwealth environmental on rates of decomposition Basin-wide Annual Resilience Ecosystem diversity Same as Biodiversity Hydrological connectivity Same as Ecosystem function Refuge condition Aggregation of information from identified refuges The effect of Commonwealth environmental on refuge condition Basin-wide Year two with annual refinement
Final Basin Matter report Final report completed for each Basin Matter (to accompany Final Basin Evaluation Report) 30 Jun 2016 30 Jun 2017 30 Jun 2018 30 Jun 2019 30 Jun 2020 Annual Basin Hydrology report Annual report describing the Basin’s flow regime over the previous 12 months Jul 2015 Jul 2016 Jul 2017 Jul 2018 Jul 2019 Evaluation Basin Evaluation Planning Workshop Workshop with key stakeholders, reviewing rationale for Basin Evaluation and finalisation of Basin Evaluation Plan Oct 2014 Expected Outcomes synthesis report Mid-year report from Basin Evaluation Synthesis Team completed, outlining expected parameters for evaluation based on current conditions and/or previous years’ reports Mar 2016 Mar 2017 Mar 2018 Mar 2019 Mar 2020 Basin Evaluation Synthesis Team annual meeting 1 day meeting / workshop to ascertain focus of annual Basin Evaluation report May 2016 May 2017 May 2018 May 2019 May 2020 Draft Basin Evaluation Report Draft Basin Evaluation report completed 15 Jun 2016 15 Jun 2017 15 Jun 2018 15 Jun 2019 1 Jun 2020 Final Basin Evaluation Report Final report, incorporating comments from Basin Evaluation team and Annual Forum 31 Aug 2016 31 Aug 2017 31 Aug 2018 31 Aug 2019 30 Jun 2020 Annual Forum Preparation Forum venue booked, topics agreed, agenda and background papers prepared and distributed May 2015 May 2016 May 2017 May 2018 May 2019 Annual Forum Annual Forum held July 2015 July 2016 Jul 2017 Jul 2018 Jul 2019 Outcomes report A written summary completed; containing issues discussed and any directions taken during the Forum. Revised Standard Methods released. Aug 2015 Aug 2016 Aug 2017 Aug 2018 Aug 2019 Technical Review
Appendix A - Outcomes Framework The following summarises Expected Outcomes to be evaluated at the Basin scale (yellow), Expected Outcomes to be monitored as part of LTIM for Basin and/or Selected Area evaluation (*) and Expected Outcomes which can be monitored as options (^). Plan objectives Basin Outcomes Five-year Expected Outcomes One-year Expected Outcomes Biodiversity (Basin Plan S. 8.05) Ecosystem diversity • Species diversity Species diversity Vegetation • Vegetation diversity* • Reproduction • Condition* • Growth and survival* • Germination • Dispersal* • Macroinvertebrate diversity Fish • Fish diversity* • Condition* • Larval abundance* • Reproduction* • Larval and juvenile recruitment* Waterbirds • Waterbird diversity • Waterbird diversity and population condition (abundance and population structure) • Survival and condition^ • Chicks^ • Fledglings^ Other vertebrate diversity • Young* • Adult abundance* Ecosystem Function (Basin Plan S. 8.06) Connectivity • Hydrological connectivity including end of system flows* • Biotic dispersal and movement* • Sediment transport* Process • Primary productivity (of aquatic ecosystems)* • Decomposition* • Nutrient and carbon cycling* Resilience (Basin Plan S. 8.07) Ecosystem resilience • Population condition (individual refuges)^ • Individual survival and condition (individual refuges)^ • Population condition (landscape refuges)^ • Individual condition (ecosystem resistance) • Population condition (ecosystem recovery) Water quality (Basin Plan S. 9.04) Chemical • Salinity* • Dissolved oxygen* • pH* • Dissolved organic carbon^ Biological • Algal blooms