A model to predict the response of the benthic macroalga Spirogyra to reduced base flow in the tropical Australia

S. A. Townsend and A. V. Padovan 2009
River Research and Applications v. 25(9) p. 1193-1203

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/122208520/ABSTRACT
A model was developed to predict the impact of reduced dry season base flow, due to groundwater and river extraction, on the standing crop of Spirogyra along an 18 km reach of the Daly River, located in the Australian wet/dry tropics.

A model to predict the response of the benthic macroalga Spirogyra to reduced base flow in the tropical Australia

S. A. Townsend, A. V. Padovan
River Research and Applications, Feb 2009
A model was developed to predict the impact of reduced dry season base flow, due to groundwater and river extraction, on the standing crop of Spirogyra along an 18 km reach of the Daly River. The model demonstrates the utility of applying a benthic algal model to evaluate the ecological impact of modified flow regimes and contribute to environmental flow recommendations.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122208520/abstract

The role of substrate type on benthic diatom assemblages in the Daly and Roper Rivers of the Australian wet-dry tropics

S. Townsend and P. Gell
Hydrobiologia, 548, 1, 101-115, 2005
In the wet/dry tropics of Australia, where the use of benthic diatoms for river health assessment is in its infancy, the comparability of diatom assemblages on river substrata has been assessed. Benthic diatoms were sampled from seven river sites, with a range of ionic chemistries but low nutrient concentrations.

Assessing the potential for algal blooms in clear water phase tropical rivers

G. Ganf and N. Rea
Land and Water Resources Research and Development Corporation

An assessment of the potential for algal blooms in the Darwin Harbour, Daly River, Bynoe and Roper River catchments NT examined whether the target rivers supported viable inoculum of major algal groups, the potential growth responses of algal populations to nutrient enrichment, the potential for algal populations to persist under a range of discharges and river length, and whether the parameters defining a pseudo P/l curve responded to the alleviation of nutrient stress. Algal blooms can be a serious event and can be caused by agricultural activities within the catchment area. If the Daly River has a high potential for algal blooms then this should be taken into consideration.

An analysis of primary production in the Daly River, a relatively unimpacted tropical river in northern Australia

I. Webster, N. Rea, A. Padovan, P. Dostine, S. Townsend and S. Cook
Marine and Freshwater Research 56, 3, 303-316, 2005

The dynamics of primary production in the Daly River in tropical Australia are investigated. The study investigated how primary production and respiration evolve during the period of low flow in the river (April–November). The relationship between primary production and the availability of light and nutrients enabled the role of these factors to be assessed in a clear, oligotrophic tropical river.

The seasonal accrual and loss of benthic algae (Spirogyra) in the Daly River, an oligotrophic river in tropical Australia

S. Townsend and A. Padovan
Marine and Freshwater Research, 56, 3, 317-327,

The hierarchy of factors that control the growth and biomass of Spirogyra sp. was examined for an 18-km reach of the Daly River in the wet/dry tropics of northern Australia. On an annual temporal scale, hydrological disturbances control Spirogyra. Over the wet season (typically December–April), frequent runoff events prevent the colonisation and growth of Spirogyra in the Daly River. This is followed, however, by a lengthy period (typically May–November) without hydrological disturbances and river velocities that favour benthic algal growth.

Environmental Water Requirements of Vallisneria nana in the Daly River, Northern Territory

N. Rea, P. Dostine, P. Cook, I. Webster and D. Williams
Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Environment, Repo2t 35/2002

This project focuses on the major riverine plant, Vallisneria nana R.Br., beds of which are a keystone habitat. Macrophytes play a role in providing food, breeding sites and refuge for animals, and in the cycling of nutrients, metals and carbon. They slow currents, trap organic matter, sediments and nutrients, reduce turbidity, stabilise banks, increase shade and reduce water temperatures. Vallisneria species were once considerably abundant in the regulated inland rivers of south-eastern Australia. Their loss is attributed to adverse changes in water quality and flow. The loss of V. nana would cause a cascade of adverse changes across the food web. The overall project objective was to make recommendations about the environmental conditions needed to sustain V. nana and its functional role in the Daly River.

Macro-algae in the streams of the Darwin Region, and the Daly River catchment

S. Skinner and S. A. Townsend
Dept of Plannning and Infrastructure, Water Monitoring Branch, 2005
Report 12/2005D

Nutrients in rivers: towards understanding the impacts of land management on productivity in the Daly and Flinders rivers

B. Robson
This project will investigate how plant growth in tropical rivers respond to increased amounts of sediment and nutrients, with significant effort devoted to sampling in the Daly river during the wet season.
http://www.track.gov.au/research.html