Managing Cumulative Effects of Farm Dams in Southeastern Australia

Morris, C.; Stewardson, Michael J.; Finlayson, Brian; Godden, Lee

doi:10.1061/(asce)wr.1943-5452.0001041

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Specifically, we here found a monotonic decline in historical rates of dam development among Australian States and Territories: from 2-3.4% before 2000, to 0.5-1.5% after 2000, to 0.05-0.8% after 2010. This decline is consistent with the 2003 Farm Dams Act that limited construction rates in South-East Australia [51]. However, we are unaware of any other policy intervention or natural event that could explain this nation-wide plateau, possibly indicating saturation of available space or farm dam demand-although we also found that on average modern farm dams are larger than older ones.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

A Continental-Scale Assessment of Density, Size, Distribution and Historical Trends of Farm Dams Using Deep Learning Convolutional Neural Networks

2021

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Farm dams are a ubiquitous limnological feature of agricultural landscapes worldwide. While their primary function is to capture and store water, they also have disproportionally large effects on biodiversity and biogeochemical cycling, with important relevance to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, the abundance and distribution of farm dams is unknown in most parts of the world. Therefore, we used artificial intelligence and remote sensing data to address this critical global information gap. Specifically, we trained a deep learning convolutional neural network (CNN) on high-definition satellite images to detect farm dams and carry out the first continental-scale assessment on density, distribution and historical trends. We found that in Australia there are 1.765 million farm dams that occupy an area larger than Rhode Island (4678 km2) and store over 20 times more water than Sydney Harbour (10,990 GL). The State of New South Wales recorded the highest number of farm dams (654,983; 37% of the total) and Victoria the highest overall density (1.73 dams km−2). We also estimated that 202,119 farm dams (11.5%) remain omitted from any maps, especially in South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Three decades of historical records revealed an ongoing decrease in the construction rate of farm dams, from >3% per annum before 2000, to ~1% after 2000, to <0.05% after 2010—except in the Australian Capital Territory where rates have remained relatively high. We also found systematic trends in construction design: farm dams built in 2015 are on average 50% larger in surface area and contain 66% more water than those built in 1989. To facilitate sharing information on sustainable farm dam management with authorities, scientists, managers and local communities, we developed AusDams.org—a free interactive portal to visualise and generate statistics on the physical, environmental and ecological impacts of farm dams.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

A Continental-Scale Assessment of Density, Size, Distribution and Historical Trends of Farm Dams Using Deep Learning Convolutional Neural Networks

2021

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“…While the impetus for controlling SAIs to minimize risks to biodiversity may be apparent in some areas, there may also be a complex policy mosaic and considerable local resistance. Historically, in most parts of the world, SAIs could be built with little regulation or consideration of potential environmental impacts, although some jurisdictions have in recent years introduced controls on the construction of new SAIs (Morris et al 2019). Consequently, there is a tendency for many SAI owners to consider them a "right", and therefore any attempt to regulate or limit future development can be controversial (Horne et al 2017).…”

Section: Challenges To Current Policymentioning

confidence: 99%

Small artificial impoundments have big implications for hydrology and freshwater biodiversity

Morden

Horne

Bond

et al. 2022

Frontiers in Ecol & Environ

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Headwater streams are critical for freshwater ecosystems. Global and continental studies consistently show major dams as dominant sources of hydrological stress threatening biodiversity in the world’s major rivers, but cumulative impacts from small artificial impoundments (SAIs) concentrated in headwater streams have rarely been acknowledged. Using the Murray Darling River basin (Australia) and the Arkansas River basin (US) as case studies, we examined the hydrological impacts of SAIs. The extent of their influence is considerable, altering hydrology in 280–380% more waterways as compared to major dams. Hydrological impacts are concentrated in smaller streams (catchment area <100 km2), raising concerns that the often diverse and highly endemic biota found in these systems may be under threat. Adjusting existing biodiversity planning and management approaches to address the cumulative effects of many small and widely distributed artificial impoundments presents a rapidly emerging challenge for ecologically sustainable water management.

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“…While the case for controlling SAIs to limit the risks to biodiversity may be clearapparent in some areas, there may also be a complex policy mosaic and considerable local resistance. Historically, in most parts of the world SAIs could be built with little regulation or consideration of potential environmental impacts, although some jurisdictions have in recent years introduced controls on the construction of new SAIs (Morris et al 2019). This means that there is a tendency for many owners of SAIs to consider them a 'right', and that any attempt to regulate or limit future development can be controversial (Horne et al 2017).…”

Section: Management Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Small artificial impoundments have big implications for hydrology and freshwater biodiversity

Morden¹,

Horne²,

Bond³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Headwater streams are critical for freshwater ecosystems. Global and continental studies consistently show major dams as dominant sources of hydrological stress threatening biodiversity in the world’s major rivers, but cumulative impacts from small artificial impoundments concentrated in headwater streams have rarely been acknowledged. Using the Murray Darling River basin (Australia)and the Arkansas River basin (USA) as case studies, we examine the hydrological impact of small artificial impoundments. The extent of their influence is significant, altering hydrology in 280 - 380% more waterways when compared to major dams alone. Hydrological impacts are concentrated in smaller streams (catchment area < 100 km2), raising concerns that the often diverse and highly endemic biota found in these systems may be under threat. Adjusting existing biodiversity planning and management approaches to address the cumulative effects of many small and widely distributed artificial impoundments presents a rapidly emerging challenge for ecologically sustainable water management.

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Managing Cumulative Effects of Farm Dams in Southeastern Australia

Cited by 7 publications

References 37 publications

A Continental-Scale Assessment of Density, Size, Distribution and Historical Trends of Farm Dams Using Deep Learning Convolutional Neural Networks

A Continental-Scale Assessment of Density, Size, Distribution and Historical Trends of Farm Dams Using Deep Learning Convolutional Neural Networks

Small artificial impoundments have big implications for hydrology and freshwater biodiversity

Small artificial impoundments have big implications for hydrology and freshwater biodiversity

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