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Scientific Trials and Investigations

The Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin (HCHB) program recognises that a collaboration between science, Traditional Owners and the community is critical to the continued restoration of this breathtaking landscape. As such, the scientific trials and investigations project is working to fill critical knowledge gaps and provide the scientific evidence-base to inform management actions to improve the long-term health of the Coorong.

More specifically, trials and investigations will inform the development of improved ways to:

reduce nutrient loads (levels) and algae abundance in the Coorong
switch the South Lagoon back to an aquatic plant dominated system rather than an algal dominated system
provide the food resources that are required to support waterbirds and fish populations
increase the abundance and distribution of waterbird populations at local and regional scales within the Coorong
incorporate cultural knowledge and values of the First Nations into decision-making
identify the adaptation pathways that are required to ensure that the ecological values of the Coorong are maintained into the future under a changing climate.

An integration project will unite past and new knowledge gained from the above trials and investigations and translate it into tools and products to inform and optimise management of the Coorong. Results of the trials and investigations, along with community and Traditional knowledge, will provide new information to help make better evidence-based decisions about future long-term management actions such those being delivered through the Coorong Infrastructure Investigations and On Ground Works projects.

Bringing together industry-experts

Trials and investigations brings together independent experts in multi-disciplinary collaborative teams across the Goyder Institute for Water Research, including staff from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the Department for Environment and Water, Flinders University, The University of Adelaide, University of South Australia and the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI).

A First Nations knowledge project is being led by the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation. Find out more.