Native Vegetation

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Lignum (Duma florulenta) flowers: (photo credit: Rebekah Grieger)
Border, Barwon and Namoi
Native Vegetation
December 15, 2025

Finding lignum shrublands: a vital habitat for nesting birds

In the Namoi River system, much of the floodplain vegetation, including lignum shrublands, has been replaced by irrigated and dryland crops. While many areas have changed, resilient patches of lignum still thrive along roadways and on private farms, offering valuable habitats.

Rebekah Grieger
Sally Maxwell
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Early Eucalyptus sp. seedlings on the lower riverbank (photo credit: Rebekah Grieger).
Border, Barwon and Namoi
Native Vegetation
December 15, 2025

Rugged giants and tiny seedlings: resilience and establishment of river red gums on the Barwon River

River red gums are iconic trees of the Murray–Darling Basin, well known as the giants towering over waterways for hundreds of years. Researchers are concerned about the ongoing survival of these trees due to a lack of recorded seedlings, especially in the northern Basin.

Rebekah Grieger
Sally Maxwell
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Narran Lake's Clear Lake, May 2025 (Image credit: Jane Howard)
Lower Balonne
Native Vegetation
November 24, 2025

Twenty years of Narran Lakes vegetation data

Vegetation survey data for Narran Lakes Nature Reserve, spanning 20 years (2004-2024), have recently been collated by the Griffith University Native Vegetation team, led by Dr Rebekah Grieger.

Jane Howard
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During vegetation surveys, transect tape is used to mark out contiguous 1x1m quadrats (Image credit: Megan Powell).
Macquarie River and Marshes
Native Vegetation
November 24, 2025

First Flow-MER riparian zone vegetation survey in the Macquarie River and Marshes Area

In September, the Flow-MER vegetation team surveyed 15 riparian transects within the Macquarie River and Marshes Area.

Jane Howard
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Lignum flowers. Photo credit: Fiona Dyer.
Basin-scale
Native Vegetation
October 17, 2025

Lignum data processing: Sharing the load

Researchers and Flow MER teams are using drones and deep learning to monitor how lignum responds to water for the environment. With 91% accuracy across four river systems, this collaboration is helping build a clearer picture of how floodplain vegetation recovers and thrives.

Professor Fiona Dyer
Jane Thomas
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Rangers Patty Stewart, Jermaine Dixon and Dion Wait and scientist Andrew Hall inspecting the equipment prior to the survey. Source: Chris Sundblom
Murrumbidgee
Native Vegetation
July 7, 2025

Drone Monitoring of Lignum at Gayini: What We’re Learning

In partnership with Nari Nari rangers, scientists are using drone technology to track how flooding patterns impact lignum on the Lowbidgee floodplain. This project blends traditional knowledge and cutting-edge imagery to support smarter water and habitat management.

Professor Andrew Hall
Dr Fleur Stelling
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Featured image: Nardoo (Marsilea drummondii) | Credit: The University of Canberra Flow-MER Team.
Basin-scale
Native Vegetation
February 27, 2025

How asking ‘what is good?’ in non-woody vegetation research helps inform water management

This Flow-MER project developed a structured framework for assessing the condition of non-woody vegetation that incorporates ecological data and social values.

Jane Thomas
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Featured Photo: Under the surface at Bayil a lignum dominated wetland in Gayini. Credit: Skye Wassens.
Murrumbidgee
Native Vegetation
December 2, 2021

Managing aquatic meadows in the Lowbidgee

In the Lowbidgee, aquatic meadows flourish with diverse plants and wildlife, supported by innovative water management and community efforts.

Associate Professor Damian Michael
Professor Skye Wassens
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Moon Moon Swamp. Photo credit: Alica Tschierschke.
Lachlan
Native Vegetation
October 7, 2021

Monitoring at Moon Moon – diverse vegetation and poems about tiger snakes!

At Moon Moon Swamp, diverse native plants thrive despite dry conditions, showcasing resilience and the impact of translucent water flows.

Dr Will Higgisson
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Basin-scale
Native Vegetation
March 4, 2021

Why are we drawn to rivers, wetlands and floodplains? What role do plants play in making these places special? Tell us what you value (particularly about plants!)

Discover the unique ways people connect with rivers, wetlands, and floodplains, and how these values shape conservation efforts for non-woody vegetation.

Dr Cherie Campbell
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Basin-scale
Native Vegetation
November 23, 2020

We’re all in this together: Have your say about evaluating vegetation outcomes to environmental flows

Cherie Campbell's project evaluates environmental water's impact on non-woody vegetation in the Murray-Darling Basin, aiming to improve future water management.

Dr Cherie Campbell
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The Goulburn river viewed from a drone. Image credit: Flow-MER Team.
Goulburn River and Northern Victorian Tributaries
Native Vegetation
November 17, 2020

Assessing soil and plants from the sky: Drone monitoring in the Murray Darling Basin

Drones revolutionize riverbank monitoring, providing detailed insights into erosion, vegetation changes, and the impact of water management practices.

Neil Sutton
Dr Geoff Vietz
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Artwork credit: Wiradjuri Artist Rebecca Salcole
Acknowledgement of Country

The Flow-MER Program team acknowledges the First Nations communities of the Murray–Darling Basin and pays respect to Elders past and present.

We acknowledge First Nations people as the Traditional Owners of the land, water and sky Country across the Basin and value the expertise, wisdom and enduring connections that have informed their care for Country over millennia.

We recognise the intrinsic connection of First Nations people to Country, and we value the enduring cultural, social, environmental, spiritual, and economic connection to the rivers, wetlands, and floodplains of the Basin. We are committed to working with First Nations people across the Murray–Darling Basin to build relationships in a meaningful and genuine way to support and empower them in reaching their aspirations.

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The information on this website is presented by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the Department) for the purposes of disseminating information to the public. It does not constitute legal or other professional advice.The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian Government or the Portfolio Ministers for the Department or indicate a commitment to a particular course of action.

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