Report by the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resource Management Board

April 2008

<<EXTRACT>> 

The long-term reduced flows have reduced the resilience of this system to harsh conditions such as the current drought and have left it on the brink of ecological collapse. The record low inflows for the River Murray into South Australia have accelerated the ecological decline of the region to such an extent that species are unable to adapt to the changes with some endangered native fish now only surviving in captivity.

The habitat condition decline has resulted in major ecological impacts including the localised loss or decline of native fish species, tortoise deaths due to an invasive species, declining frog and bird numbers, and negative impacts on vegetation in and around the Lakes. There is a shift in ecological state occurring and further predicted decreases in water level in the Lower Lakes could result in salinities and acidity that destroys their entire ecological character. The decline in ecological character can only be halted and reversed if substantial freshwater inflows are received within the next six months.