Wetlands, despite their name, aren’t always wet. But when the rain starts and the rivers flow theses dynamic landscapes can flourish with life. Though the question remains, how much water is enough?

Freshwater ecosystems have been significantly altered by water management for human use. In particular, flow regulation has resulted in enormous declines in both the extent and health of wetlands.

In 2018 Lindsey Frost was the recipient of an In Situ Science Research Excellence Award. Lindsey’s research investigates the ecosystem processes that govern the production and transfer of energy in a floodplain wetland. By studying how much water wetlands need to produce certain amounts of organic energy. This information will help inform landscape management programs that aim to conserve critical waterbird habitats.

Thanks to the University of New England for their generous support of this scheme.

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