Many of Australia’s aquatic ecosystems are either degraded or under threat. These problems result from interacting stresses such as consumptive water use, land and habitat degradation, invasive species, and poor surface or ground water quality from excess nutrient, organic carbon, contaminant or sediment loadings.
Degradation of ecosystems is of widespread concern in Australia because of their role in maintaining a healthy environment, and the accepted intrinsic value and international significance of Australia’s biodiversity, ecosystems and natural heritage. There is strong government policy and community expectation to protect or restore these systems.
The Ecosystems and Contaminants Theme provides science necessary for the protection or restoration of aquatic ecosystems and human health.
Our science tackles both national and international water availability and water quality challenges by applying a systems framework in the conduct of field studies, ecological modelling, risk assessment, integration and synthesis across diverse fields of knowledge.
Read more about the Ecosystems and Contaminants Theme.
