Tree Water Use and Sources of Transpired Water in Riparian Vegetation along the Daly River, Northern Territory

A. O'Grady, D. Eamus, P. Cook, S. Lamontagne, G. Kelley and L. Hutley
Environment Australia and National River Health Programme, 2002
This examines groundwater dependence and environmental flow requirements of the Daly River. In particular, this report examines the spatial and temporal patterns of water use by riparian vegetation along the Daly River. While water use requirements and groundwater dependence have been examined in a number of ecosystems around Australia, we believe that this is the first attempt to quantify the sources and water use requirements of riparian vegetation in tropical Australia for consideration in assessing the environmental flow requirements of riparian vegetation. Sources of water used by riparian vegetation along the Daly River were assessed by examining the isotopic composition, in particular the concentration of deuterium, in river water, groundwater, soil water and xylem water.

http://www.environment.gov.au/water/publications/environmental/rivers/nrhp/daly-river-2.html