A revised set of principles for environmental water management: from prescriptive management to the development of collaborative partnerships. A presentation to the Snowy Water Initiative Partners, Canberra. Simon Williams February 2017

A retrospective after >20 years in environmental water management in Australia. Personal thoughts on environmental water management in Australia. Is our current management paradigm appropriate? Is the ecological theory and guiding principles appropriate? Have we developed appropriate social principles and social capital? Where are the opportunities for Aboriginal and rural communities?

Ecological process: the basis for flow based river rehabilitation. Ecological rehabilitation theory needs a greater prominence in our framework. The Terrestrial literature is not being used enough in aquatic science and management. The aquatic biota have adapted life history strategies to local climatic and hydrological conditions (Bunn and Arthington 2003; Baumgartner et al. 2015). Mimicking the varied characteristics of the local hydrology is a key driver to recovery. River dynamics and high daily flow variability and hydraulic diversity are required to meet a wide range of ecological water requirements for aquatic biota and their various life stages. River discharge should be managed to repair river processes and applied at a whole ecosystem scale rather than for individual species. We need to move on from individual species management to a riverine process/ecosystem framework.

Developing a new set of e-flow principles Hydrological disturbance and the repair of instream habitat provide a template for recovery of aquatic biota and needs to be implemented early in the recovery process in order for complementary measures to be successful. Press hydrological disturbance Pulse hydrological disturbance Occasionally, a low flow hydrological disturbance can be utilized to improve habitat condition. The repair of instream habitat is important to provide instream nutrient translocation sites to support benthic biofilms and ultimately the flow of energy to higher trophic levels and support third order responses. Montane – Cobble substrate Lowland – Large Woody Debris It’s a more efficient pathway The provision of basal resources, such as carbon, are required to stimulate the food web to maintain viable populations. A major consideration for recruitment success.

Developing a new set of e-flow principles The landscape is not uniform, and understanding the bio-geochemical processes such as the source and uptake of basal resources (i.e. “hot spots” or “hot moments” (Figure 3)) provides an opportunity to improve productivity and target rehabilitation (McClain et al. 2003; Rohlfs et al. in prep). Understanding river productivity is a major consideration for system wide success using environmental water. Using tributary environmental-water to create bio-chemical “hot spots” and “hot moments” (red) in regulated rivers. A conceptual model of chemical spiralling and processes in a (i) confined montane river and (ii) a floodplain river. Modified from Nilsson and Svedmark (2002).

Developing a new set of e-flow principles Consideration of flow related reproduction cues should be considered in conjunction with recruitment requirements and success, when allocating water across a year. Potentially, substantial energy may be consumed by aquatic biota for reproduction, but recruitment may not be successful unless basal resources are available post reproduction. Provision of increased recruitment opportunities are required to maintain viable populations, but require the provision of basal resources (i.e. DOC and DSi) to maintain the new recruits.

Developing a new set of e-flow principles Consideration of the organisation of populations across multiple spatial scales is required, including functional sites, landscapes and networks (Poiani et al. 2000). Some specific areas of the riverine landscape may be more significant in supporting viable populations (Kiffney et al. 2006). Dispersal mechanisms need to be considered if the taxa of interest are absent or in low abundance in the regulated river. Particularly, if the ecological end points require the dispersal of aquatic biota from unregulated tributaries to a regulated river. This requires the: active management of tributaries, and the junction of tributaries with regulated rivers. consideration and management of hydraulically induced barriers. consideration of active re-location of target taxa to the significantly improved habitat condition of the regulated river. This active management should only be considered late in the rehabilitation process, once it’s clear that taxa are unlikely to disperse from tributaries.

Developing a new set of e-flow principles Flow may not always be the primary driver for improvement in ecological function or status. Other factors, such as water temperature, or substrate condition are significant drivers of ecological processes, i.e. decomposition, respiration, production reproduction and movement (Bothwell 1998; Carr et al. 1997; Caissie 2006). The management of rare taxa per se does not provide the primary driver for flow strategies, but will be achieved by addressing the above river rehabilitation principles (i.e. river processes rather than the management of a series of rare taxa). The management of rare taxa will be achieved by adopting functional variable flow regime, i.e. akin to functional landscapes/networks described by Poiani et al. (2000).

Developing a new set of e-flow principles A greater understanding of life histories is required than currently available. The limited life-history knowledge provides great uncertainty in the setting of ecological targets, particularly where large investment occurs on limited understanding of basic ecology. The sequencing of priorities will be important to implement a long term flow regime and will change as the primary objectives are achieved. Initially, a higher priority will be given to flow objectives that relate to habitat maintenance or improvement. Flow objectives relating to connectivity and productivity are only likely to be achievable/ maximised once in-stream habitat is considerably improved.

Developing a new set of e-flow principles Ecological rehabilitation takes time (i.e. decades). Use the time to experiment with releases and build the scientific evidence that allows future adaption. There is a need to focus on holistic river management rather than just water allocation targets and environmental water. The prerequisite conditions (i.e. habitat suitability), need to be in-place for significant environmental water achievements.

e-flow rehabilitation principles Rehabilitation ecology theory forms the basis of the approach. Focus on repairing the flow related river processes that support : Habitats (i.e. substrate condition). resource availability (i.e. DOC, DSi). recruitment Dispersal (i.e. protection of good habitat) Sequencing priorities i, then ii, iii, and iv. Significant habitat improvement required prior to 4th order ecological responses expected. Not primarily focussed on rare taxa (will occur if processes are repaired). Move from “terrestrial park management “ to the management of river processes. River hydrology River hydraulics and physical processes Bio-geochemical processes Biological responses 1 4 2 3 Strategy focusses on river processes

Ecological and social principles Ecological rehabilitation takes time, use the time to build relationships. Factors that are required to be in-place for people to move from a position. Long-term Individual relationships New and credible information about specific concerns Simple governance structure(s) Open communication The ability to adapt and change if required. Investment in rural communities, including outcomes for local communities. Long-term Individual relationships- No. 1 Develop your social capital Focus on holistic river management rather than just water targets and ewater. Prerequisite conditions need to be in-place Allows for important trade-offs

Setting ecological targets and program delivery Reference condition Two key approaches A- Define requirements upfront (i.e. prescriptive) B- Experimental framework (i.e. adaptive/ collaborative) New desired state Prescriptive pathway A Initial condition No management B Time

Setting ecological targets and program delivery Reference condition Use an experimental management approach to develop collaborative partnerships and build social capital. “Joint learning by doing” “Its OK to identify uncertainty” “Identify apriori, the key decision points for collaboration New desired state ? Initial condition ? ? No management Collaborative pathway B Time (decades)

Key message Incorporate improved ecological rehabilitation theory Focus on river processes as the rehabilitation pathway. Use an experimental management approach, and adapt. As a environmental water manager you must incorporate questions into the development of each flow strategy. Ecological rehabilitation takes time, use the time to build relationships. The development and maintenance of long-term Individual relationships is No. 1 Develop your social capital by building collaborative partnerships Be patient, and respectful of different views. Listen as you may learn something. Leverage your investment to assist Aboriginal and rural communities.