The changing hydrology of the Barmah-Millewa forests and its effects on vegetation

Abstract

The Barmah-Millway forests are the largest continuous forests of river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh) in the Murray-Darling Basin. This paper provides an account of work defining the hydrology of these forests. River regulation has changed the forests watering regime and this has and will continue to impact on the vegetation alliances. Change is particularly noticeable in the invasion of the natural "moira grass plains" by river red gum. Unseasonal summer flooding allows germinants to survive the fierce summer droughts, and reduced spring flooding means they are more likely to survive inundation. Grazing also reduces competition from grass. Advances have been made in recent years i..