Reef Water Quality Protection Plan - Research, Development and Innovation Strategy 2013 2018
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Reef Water Quality Protection Plan Research, Development and Innovation Strategy 2013 – 2018
Contents
Executive summary 3
Acknowledgments 3
Introduction 4
Scope 4
Who will use this strategy? 5
Prioritising investment and knowledge 5
Current challenges 5
Coordination and integration 5
Innovation 5
Current investment 6
Desired outcomes by 2018 6
Guiding principles 7
Research themes 8
Prioritising research, development and innovation 10
Appendix 1: Process for identifying research,
development and innovation priorities 11
Appendix 2: Research, development
and innovation priorities 2013 –2018 13
© The State of Queensland (Department of the Premier and Cabinet) 2014. Published by the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan Secretariat, November 2014, 100 George Street, Brisbane
Qld 4000. The Queensland Government supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of information. However, copyright protects this document. The State of Queensland
has no objection to this material being reproduced, made available online or electronically but only if it is recognised as the owner of the copyright and this material remains unaltered.
Copyright enquiries about this publication should be directed to the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, by email to copyright@premiers.qld.gov.au or in writing to PO Box 15185,
City East Qld 4002. Copies of this publication can be obtained by contacting (07) 3003 9381 or at www.reefplan.qld.gov.au.
Image credits: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Tourism and Events Queensland.
www.reefplan.qld.gov.au Research, Development and Innovation Strategy 2Executive summary
The quality of water entering the Reef from identify the knowledge gaps that must be filled
adjacent catchments remains one of the major to provide long terms solutions for improving
management issues for protecting the Great the quality of water entering the Reef.
Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Continued
Unlike the 2009 –2013 Research, Development
advancements in, and understanding of,
and Innovation Strategy, this strategy also
catchment to Reef water quality research,
includes the contemporary priorities for research,
development and innovation are vital to
development and innovation which have been
addressing the issue.
identified in close consultation with Reef Plan
Investment over the last decade in Reef water partners. Determining the most important
quality research has been significant. Led by management questions, and identifying how to
this strong investment, research has helped answer them, requires a wide-range of expertise.
target on-ground efforts which have been
End users of research, development and
successful in halting the decline in water quality.
innovation such as landholders, extension officers,
This Research, Development and Innovation
catchment and reef managers, industry bodies,
Strategy builds on the actions to date and
regional natural resource management bodies and
challenges partners and the broader community
conservation groups have helped identify the most
to capitalise on these investments and push
important questions to ensure that activities are
forward the knowledge boundaries so we can
focused on achieving practical results and outputs
achieve the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan’s
that can be widely adopted and supported.
(Reef Plan) goal and targets.
Throughout the life of this strategy, biennial
While our understanding of water quality issues
reviews will be undertaken to evaluate whether
has increased over the past decade, so too has
the priority research questions have been
the expectation and demand for new knowledge
answered and consider other emerging issues.
to inform on-ground change. The variety and
number of questions being asked by managers,
landholders and the community continues Acknowledgments
to grow beyond the capacity of combined The assistance provided by Bronwen Burke
investment. and Paul Lawrence (Department of Science,
Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts)
This strategy outlines the guiding principles
in facilitating the Reef Plan Research, Development
around Reef water quality research and
and Innovation workshop and developing
establishes a process to help identify the most
workshop outputs is gratefully acknowledged.
critical questions that must be answered and
www.reefplan.qld.gov.au Research, Development and Innovation Strategy 3Introduction
More than 10 years after Reef Plan was Reef Plan 2013 remains strategic and outcomes
launched (2003), the Australian and Queensland focused, with strong accountability for actions
governments remain committed to delivering and detailed monitoring to measure progress
on the long term goal of ensuring that by 2020 against targets.
the quality of water entering the Reef from
This strategy specifically relates to Action one
broadscale agriculture has no detrimental
of Reef Plan 2013:
impact on the health and resilience of the
Great Barrier Reef. Develop, implement and maintain a
In July 2013, Reef Plan was reviewed, the targets Research, Development and Innovation
were refined and the actions refocussed based Strategy to identify research and
on the latest information and accrued knowledge development priorities, and encourage
of all partners, which mostly came from identification of innovative ways
investments under the previous (2009 –2013) of reducing nutrient, pesticide and
Research, Development and Innovation Strategy. sediment run-off.
Scope and research, development and innovation
This strategy provides guidance and direction for knowledge about the impacts of poor water
Reef water quality related research, development quality on Reef health to identifying, trialling and
and innovation required to inform Reef Plan 2013 validating solutions to this problem.
implementation.
The monitoring and evaluation arrangements
It covers all biophysical and socio-economic for Reef Plan are covered in a separate
research, development and innovation related Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy which
to the effects of broadscale land use on water addresses monitoring needs of the Paddock
quality and Reef health. It has the same scope to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and
as Reef Plan, in that it has a primary focus on Reporting Program. There is also an evaluation
reducing agricultural runoff and a secondary component of the Research, Development
focus on reducing pollution from urban and and Innovation Strategy to monitor uptake of
industrial land use. The plan also encompasses research, development and innovation priorities.
the research needed to inform on-ground More information about investment in research
actions to protect and restore Great Barrier Reef is available in the Investment Strategy.
coastal ecosystems including wetlands and
This strategy is informed by other key documents
riparian vegetation.
such as the 2013 Scientific Consensus Statement
While this strategy does not cover climate change on land use impacts on Great Barrier Reef water
research specifically, research projects may quality and ecosystem condition, the Great Barrier
investigate interactions between water quality and Reef Coastal Zone Strategic Assessment Report,
climate change. The main focus of the strategy Great Barrier Reef Region Strategic Assessment
is to target research, innovation and investment Report and the Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report
efforts at solving the problem of water quality 2009. In particular, the Scientific Consensus
decline. At its core, this strategy emphasises Statement identified new knowledge was needed
a fundamental shift away from collecting to help achieve the ultimate goal of Reef Plan.
www.reefplan.qld.gov.au Research, Development and Innovation Strategy 4Who will use this strategy?
Research providers will find this strategy the appropriate scales, and actions prioritised
useful when tailoring research programs and using best available information. The priorities
projects to management needs. Investors will for research, development and innovation need
find this strategy valuable when assessing to be determined over the short and long term.
research, development and innovation
In developing Reef Plan 2013, priorities have
proposals, to assess how important a proposal
been reviewed and refined for the next five years
is in comparison to other Reef water quality
and this will clearly influence the prioritisation
research priorities.
process for research, development and
innovation. One of the most critical priorities is
Prioritising investment reducing nutrient runoff in the Wet Tropics and
and knowledge Burdekin catchments.
The desired outcome from this work area is
While the greatest focus will be placed on
to prioritise, coordinate and integrate programs
these regions, the importance of continuing the
to maximise Reef water quality outcomes.
improvements in other areas is also recognised,
To achieve this outcome, issues and risks
particularly as they relate to seagrass condition
need to be clearly assessed and defined at
and protecting inshore coral reefs.
Current challenges
Coordination and integration Innovation
Over the past 10 years of Reef Plan, there have As part of the development of Reef Plan
been significant advancements in both the 2013, it was acknowledged that meeting the
level of investment in research, development nitrogen target will be challenging, even using
and innovation and the volume and quality best practice. This will require new thinking
of outputs being delivered. Coordinating and and approaches, including innovative policy
prioritising investment in research, development and practices, to deliver substantial nutrient
and innovation remains the crucial element in reduction in the Wet Tropics and Burdekin
ensuring that this momentum can be maintained regions which were identified as critical
into the future. priorities due to the link to crown-of-thorns
starfish outbreaks.
Opportunities for integrating projects and
further collaboration between partners and As identified in the 2009 Research, Development
providers have grown substantially with the and Innovation Strategy, there remains very limited
development of Reef Plan. It is well recognised investment for innovation and developing solutions
that the benefits of integration and collaboration to these complex problems. These areas represent
have provided land and Reef managers with a an opportunity to draw upon the expertise and
vast array of information on which to base their wisdom of landholders and other stakeholders,
decisions. The primary challenge, however, lies which can lead to significant water quality gains.
in validating these outcomes in differing scales,
on varying soil types, taking into account various
social and economic circumstances and the
potential impacts of a changing climate.
www.reefplan.qld.gov.au Research, Development and Innovation Strategy 5Current investment
Investment in Reef water quality research of Environment and Heritage Protection;
is delivered through a range of programs and Department of Natural Resources and Mines;
government initiatives along with co-investment and Department of Science, Information
from industry and the private sector. Sources Technology, Innovation and the Arts.
of investment include: • The Australian Government Department
• Collaborative initiatives such as the National of the Environment and Great Barrier Reef
Environmental Research Program (ends in Marine Park Authority invest in individual
2014) and the National Environmental Science research projects.
Program (NESP) funded through the Australian • Industry-based research and development
Government Department of the Environment. organisations (such as Sugar Research
• Research funding provided through the Australia Ltd, Meat and Livestock Association)
Australian Government Reef Programme which are funded through industry levies and
(concluded in 2013 –2014). government contributions.
• Australian Government investment in • Private investment in research through
university research through the Australian non‑government organisations such as the
Research Council. WWF and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
• Australian Government investment
More detail about investment in research is
in research providers such as CSIRO, available in the Investment Strategy 2013 –2018,
the Australian Institute of Marine Science which broadly describes the Australian and
and the Bureau of Meteorology. Queensland governments’ investment in activities
• Queensland Government investment in research that contribute to Reef Plan. The strategy also
by state agencies such as the Department of showcases investments from non-government
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Department partners and non-government organisations.
Desired outcomes by 2018
A key focus of this Research, Development • Have clearer guidance on the actions
and Innovation Strategy is to identify the desired required by land managers to mitigate
outcomes by 2018 in order to meet the Reef the impacts of declining water quality
Plan targets and see real and tangible benefits in a sub‑catchment context.
to the ongoing health and resilience of the Reef. • Promote innovative solutions to solve the
problem, particularly in relation to nutrient
Desired outcomes (2018)
use efficiency.
• Understand the level of impact the Reef
• Use investment in research, development and
is currently experiencing and what level of
pollutant reduction is required to ensure that innovation to efficiently and effectively achieve
the quality of water entering the Reef from the Reef Plan water quality targets.
broadscale land use has no detrimental impact • Have land managers, Reef managers and other
on the health and resilience of the Great stakeholders involved in setting the research,
Barrier Reef. development and innovation agenda and
• Identify system-wide changes that are needed
promoting and implementing its outputs.
to achieve the Reef Plan water quality targets.
www.reefplan.qld.gov.au Research, Development and Innovation Strategy 6Guiding principles
The development of this strategy was guided Users of Reef water quality research include:
by a number of national and state research, • landholders
development and innovation frameworks
• Reef managers
including the National Primary Industries
• catchment managers
Research Development and Extension
Framework and Queensland’s Science and • public land managers
Innovation Action Plan. • water supply managers
Investment in research will also be guided by • regional natural resource management bodies
the principles in the Reef Plan Investment • extension officers
Strategy 2013–2018. • researchers and scientists
The guiding principles in Figure 1 were used • local government
to help develop the research, development • Members of Parliament
and innovation priorities and ensure that this • tourism operators
strategy contributes to achieving the desired
• Indigenous landholders.
outcomes by 2018.
2. S
ynthesise and integrate
1. Focus on end user needs
information and knowledge
Research, development and innovation
Research, development and innovation
must continue to focus on the needs of users
(including data, information and knowledge)
in order to deliver on-ground improvements.
should be synthesised and integrated across
With a strong user focus, research, development programs to optimise the understanding of
and innovation activities have the potential land and Reef managers and the community,
to influence industry development, all aspects to maximise return on investment, to reduce
of the delivery chain, new product development, duplication of effort across providers and
new policies and a revitalised and up-to-date to make the most of available scientific and
extension network. technical expertise.
A specific action has been included in Reef Plan
2013 to ensure resources are identified for the
synthesis and transfer of knowledge.
Focus on end user needs
Synthesise and integrate
Promote innovation Guiding principles knowledge
Build partnerships
and collaboration
Figure 1: Guiding principles for prioritising research, development and innovation needs
www.reefplan.qld.gov.au Research, Development and Innovation Strategy 73. Build partnerships 4. Promote innovation
and collaboration Research, development and innovation should
Reef water quality research, development continue to encourage innovative management
and innovation should be based on positive practices, innovation in research techniques
partnerships and collaborative arrangements and new technologies that can improve water
to share skills and knowledge across different quality. Co-investment in innovation can help
providers and develop results that may not be identify practices that benefit landholders through
possible in isolation. on‑farm efficiency and also improve water quality.
Research themes
To help structure the research, development 1. Management effectiveness
and innovation prioritisation process, five themes Aims to link changes in management to
have been identified (see Figure 2). quantitative water quality benefits. It includes
the design of monitoring programs to effectively
measure progress in achieving water quality
targets or staying within acceptable thresholds.
This is a high priority because of the clear
need to understand the water quality benefits
associated with different land management
practices, and to ensure that investment is
directed into the areas with the greatest potential
Solving Monitoring
the problem the problem for improving water quality outcomes.
2. I ntegration and synthesis
of knowledge
Aims to promote collaborative data sharing and
partnerships to maximise positive outcomes,
as well as effectively use existing data and
knowledge to answer fundamental questions.
Figure 2: Progression of research themes
This is a high priority for investment because the
integration of existing information will help users
to better understand the sources of pollutants,
the role of positive influences such as wetlands,
and direct management responses.
www.reefplan.qld.gov.au Research, Development and Innovation Strategy 83. Socio-economic analysis 5. Ecosystem understanding
Includes an assessment of current barriers to Is necessary to improve knowledge of system
the uptake of improved land practices, the best processes including the sources and fates
ways to overcome those barriers, and the social of nutrients, sediments and chemicals. An
and economic benefits that can be derived assessment of the load reductions required to
from changes in management. Identifying meet the water quality guidelines is an important
barriers to uptake that limit management component, as well as time lags between
effectiveness will guide faster implementation management changes and evidence of water
of improved practices. quality benefits.
Ecosystem understanding includes the role of
4. Innovation
floodplains and wetlands, and the interactions
Aims to identify innovative land management between water quality and climate change.
practices, develop more innovative policy Understanding ecosystems assists in monitoring
options, improve research or monitoring the problem. A large amount of work has
techniques and create new technologies to been, and continues to be, undertaken in this
improve water quality. Investment in this area area. However, the focus of this strategy has
is critical, as a continual focus on promoting shifted towards minimising impacts and solving
innovative solutions to the problem can the problem.
help assess which practices are having the
greatest benefit.
www.reefplan.qld.gov.au Research, Development and Innovation Strategy 9Prioritising research,
development and innovation
A three stage iterative process has been used Appendix 2
to identify and prioritise Reef water quality This lists the priorities for cane and cropping,
research, development and innovation priorities grazing, ecosystem repair and marine research,
and evaluate uptake (see Figure 3). development and innovation.
This is consistent with the process used under The Research and Development Coordination
the previous Research, Development and Group set up under Reef Plan 2013 will play a key
Innovation Strategy. role in identifying how the research, development
and innovation priorities can be met, e.g. through
A more detailed description of the prioritisation
consolidating existing information or developing
process is provided in:
particular research projects.
Appendix 1
The group will also play a role in evaluating the
This details the process used to develop
uptake of research, development and innovation
the 2013 – 2018 research, development and
priorities biennially.
innovation priorities.
STAGE 3: STAGE 1:
Evaluate and Identify research
report on update questions
(biennially)
STAGE 2:
Prioritise
management needs
Figure 3: Process for prioritising research
www.reefplan.qld.gov.au Research, Development and Innovation Strategy 10Appendix 1: Process for identifying
research, development and
innovation priorities
Stage 1: Identifying research, The workshop was chaired by a qualified
development and innovation program logic facilitator (Bronwen Burke,
questions Department of Science, Information Technology,
The following documents provided the basis Innovation and the Arts), with support from
to develop a list of research, development and key partners to lead discussion amongst
innovation questions and knowledge gaps: four groups:
• 2013 Scientific Consensus Statement • cane and cropping
• Reef Plan Research, Development and • grazing
Innovation Plan 2011– 2012 Evaluation Report • ecosystem repair
• assessment of the risk of pollutants to • marine.
ecosystems of the Great Barrier Reef including
The research, development and innovation
differential risk between sediments, nutrients
questions from stage 1 were provided to each
and pesticides and between land uses,
group to use when developing alignment logic
industries and catchments
diagrams. The second part of the workshop
• Reef Rescue Research and Development
focused on prioritising the research, development
Final Program Report and innovation questions through the use of three
• review of the Reef Water Quality criteria (see Table 1) and results of the relative
Science Program risk assessment (from the Scientific Consensus
• Marine Monitoring Program review Statement 2013). Group members were also
• other relevant information.
provided with two stickers to ‘vote’ on their
highest priority research, development and
A number of organisations also contributed innovation questions.
to the list of research, development and
innovation questions, through the Research It is acknowledged that this prioritisation system
and Development Coordination Group. provides a subjective judgement; however the
strength of the program logic process lies in
the experience and understanding of workshop
Stage 2: Prioritise research,
participants and the identification of critical
development and innovation
information needed to support progress towards
questions
the Reef Plan targets.
A research, development and innovation
workshop was held in February 2014 to map out Following the workshop, draft alignment logic
and prioritise the research, development and diagrams were circulated to attendees to check
innovation activities needed to support progress that they represented the consensus reached
towards the Reef Plan targets. Reef Plan during the workshop and their feedback was
Committee members and technical experts were incorporated. The final research, development
invited to attend the workshop. and innovation alignment logic diagrams are
available upon request.
www.reefplan.qld.gov.au Research, Development and Innovation Strategy 11Stage 3: Evaluate uptake Table 1: Criteria for assessing research,
An evaluation report outlining the extent of development and innovation questions
uptake of research, development and innovation
Criteria
priorities by providers will be compiled biennially
throughout the five years of this strategy. It will Benefit
inform land and Reef managers by providing an
How important is it to answer this question
update on which research, development and
by 2018? For example, will it:
innovation needs are outstanding.
• clearly contribute to achieving the Reef
The effectiveness of this strategy will be Plan targets (particularly in priority areas for
monitored broadly by assessing how many management as identified in Appendix 1 of
Reef Plan 2013)
of the key research, development and innovation
questions have been answered. • improve effectiveness of management
practices, policy instruments and/or
It is recognised that there are likely to be time governance arrangements
lags in viewing evidence of change from projects • integrate and synthesise knowledge
and hence answering these questions. • address cross-regional or multiple
region’s needs.
However, it is also recognised that it is critical
to continue the stages outlined in this strategy Usefulness
to help deliver against the Reef Plan targets.
What is the likelihood that the answers can
be adopted by end users by 2018 (or shortly
thereafter)? For example:
• research is outcome focused
• ability of end users to implement research
outcomes is high (e.g. not cost-prohibitive)
• barriers to uptake of outcomes can be
identified and addressed
• effective stakeholder consultation can
be demonstrated.
Feasibility
Ability to successfully address the question.
For example:
• high quality, evidence-based methods and
existing capacity are available to answer
the question
• question could be addressed in the short
term (i.e. five years)
• question could be answered within realistic/
existing budget.
www.reefplan.qld.gov.au Research, Development and Innovation Strategy 12Appendix 2: Research, development
and innovation priorities 2013–2018
Cane and cropping
# Research question Priority area Theme Priority
C1 Refine industry nutrient rates and best practice nutrient Responding Management effectiveness High
management standards based on site specific information,
e.g. for block yield. Links to C8.
C2 Investigate if enhanced efficiency fertiliser reduces losses Responding Management effectiveness High
of nitrogen, while maintaining productivity and profitability.
Links to C8.
C3 Investigate costs and benefits of current and emerging Responding Management effectiveness; High
best management practices for grower profitability Socio-economic analysis
and industry productivity.
C4 Consolidate existing knowledge of eco-toxicity and efficacy Prioritising; Integration and synthesis High
of commonly used and emerging pesticides Responding of knowledge
into a conceptual framework.
C5 Improve knowledge around eco‑toxicity of commonly used Prioritising Ecosystem understanding High
and emerging pesticides and their impacts on freshwater
and marine water quality. Links to E6 and M12.
C6 Investigate the efficacy of pesticides, e.g. through farm Responding Management effectiveness High
trials to test effectiveness, water quality impacts and
economics of various pesticides combinations (including
commonly used and emerging pesticides).
Links to C10 and C11.
C7 Nitrogen cycle budget: measure/estimate all N inputs, Responding Management effectiveness Medium
loss pathways and crop N uptake to identify where
improvements to N use efficiency can be made.
C8 Investigate plant nutrient demand for commonly Responding Management effectiveness Medium
grown crops, e.g.
• nutrient uptake over growing season
• differences in nutrient uptake between varieties
• how nutrient management (timing, rate, placement)
affects nutrient supply.
Links to C1 and C2.
C9 Better understand nitrogen and phosphorus contributions Prioritising Ecosystem understanding Medium
from groundwater, surface water and organic sources.
C10 Investigate effectiveness of pesticide application Responding Management effectiveness Medium
methods and technologies, e.g. spray regimes as
part of efficacy trials. Links to C6.
C11 Investigate fate of pesticides on—and off—farm, e.g. Responding; Management effectiveness Medium
• effectiveness of recycling pits/ constructed wetlands Evaluating
• fate of pesticides on trash/soil
• in-stream breakdown and sorption/ desorption
of pesticides.
Links to C6.
www.reefplan.qld.gov.au Research, Development and Innovation Strategy 13# Research question Priority area Theme Priority
C12 Investigate options to increase and/or maintain long- Responding Management effectiveness Low
term soil organic carbon (including soil biology).
C13 Investigate potential to set ‘pesticide use efficiency’ Prioritising; Management effectiveness; Low
targets (similar to nitrogen use efficiency) in order Responding Socio‑economic analysis
to achieve Reef Plan targets. What would be the
socio‑economic implications of achieving these
pesticide use efficiency targets?
Decision support tools—cane and cropping
Research, development and innovation workshop attendees agreed that development of the following
decision support tools will help producers and other users to understand and implement outcomes from
research, development and innovation projects.
# Decision support tool Priority area Theme
C14 Develop decision support tools that help growers: Responding Integration and synthesis
• use N efficiently at block/farm scale of knowledge; Management
• identify major nutrient loss pathway for soil types/ effectiveness
landscape positions.
C15 Develop decision support tool for growers that Responding Integration and synthesis
provides a real time assessment of current N status of knowledge; Management
in crop. effectiveness
C16 Develop/update decision support tools to provide Responding Integration and synthesis
advice to growers about: of knowledge; Management
• toxicity of pesticides effectiveness
• recommended type of pesticides
• timing on pesticide application.
www.reefplan.qld.gov.au Research, Development and Innovation Strategy 14Grazing
# Research question Priority area Theme Priority
G1 Investigate cost effectiveness and water quality benefit Responding Management effectiveness; High
of specific grazing practices, e.g. on-farm trials of Socio‑economic analysis
riparian grazing management, remediation of gullies/
scalds and herd management strategies that lead to
improved land condition.
G2 Investigate options to encourage practice change Responding Socio-economic analysis High
beyond simply paying landholders, e.g. consider
the private and public benefits and costs, as well as
transaction costs involved in a practice change.
G3 Better understand the circumstances that cause Prioritising Integration and synthesis High
gullies to form, e.g. link gully prevalence data to other of knowledge; Ecosystem
data such as ground cover and soils. understanding
G4 Investigate the potential to use ground cover mapping Prioritising Ecosystem understanding High
to infer pasture composition, e.g. annuals versus
perennial grasses. Links to E12.
G5 Quantify changes in erosion rates over time Prioritising Ecosystem understanding High
(e.g. current vs pre-European) to improve estimates
of critical erosion sources in the Fitzroy catchment.
G6 Better understand erosion sources and processes Prioritising; Ecosystem understanding Medium
in the Fitzroy catchment, e.g. by: Evaluating
• gully extent and volume mapping
• erodible soils mapping
• sediment tracing.
Links to E7.
G7 Clarify the relative importance of managing particulate Prioritising; Ecosystem understanding Medium
nutrients from grazing lands for the GBR receiving Evaluating
environment. Links to M10.
G8 Investigate the potential to link ground cover mapping Prioritising Ecosystem understanding Low
to soil condition and implications on hydrology.
G9 Investigate the impacts of broadscale land use Evaluating Ecosystem understanding Low
on changes in catchment hydrology and run-off
and potential effects on reef health.
G10 Investigate soil loss in improved pastures relative Responding Management effectiveness Low
to soil loss in reduced utilisation of native pastures.
G11 Investigate management options to reduce nutrient Responding Management effectiveness Low
losses from fertilised grazing lands.
Decision support tool—grazing
Research, development and innovation workshop attendees agreed that development of the following
decision support tools will help producers and other users to understand and implement outcomes from
research, development and innovation projects.
# Decision support tool Priority area Theme
G12 Update decision support tools for the calculation Responding Integration and synthesis
of stocking rates, e.g. by of knowledge; Management
• incorporating updates in climate forecasting effectiveness
• improving input parameters.
www.reefplan.qld.gov.au Research, Development and Innovation Strategy 15Ecosystem repair
# Research question Priority area Theme Priority
E1 Improve understanding of wetland process and Evaluating Ecosystem understanding High
capacity to improve water quality through sediment,
pesticide, nutrient and cycling absorption.
E2 Identify wetland characteristics in the landscape Evaluating Ecosystem understanding High
which maximise contaminant removal.
E3 Investigate sediment accretion rates and changes Evaluating Ecosystem understanding High
over time for palustrine wetland types.
E4 Assess wetland values and pressures to Evaluating; Ecosystem understanding High
identify priorities for intervention and inform Prioritising
ongoing management.
E5 Investigate hydrology functions of the range Evaluating Ecosystem understanding High
of wetland types in the GBR catchments.
E6 Improve understanding of the effects of pesticides Prioritising Ecosystem understanding High
on in-stream aquatic species and additive effects
in GBR catchments. Links to C5 and M12.
E7 Investigate the contribution of streambank erosion Prioritising Ecosystem understanding; High
to fine sediment export, e.g. by analysing rates of Integration and synthesis
streambank migration in conjunction with sediment of knowledge
tracing studies. Links to G6.
E8 Establish knowledge of the critical load of sediments Evaluating Ecosystem understanding Medium
and nutrients for different wetland types.
E9 Investigate on-ground management of palustrine Evaluating; Ecosystem understanding Medium
wetlands and evaluate impacts on wetland values Prioritising
and functions.
E10 Identify and map weed mat infestations and quantify Evaluating; Ecosystem understanding Medium
effect of weed mat pollution on the GBR lagoon. Prioritising
E11 Identify and map groundwater dependent ecosystems. Evaluating Ecosystem understanding Medium
E12 Investigate the patterns of vegetation distribution Evaluating; Ecosystem understanding Medium
across the landscape that relate to sediment and Prioritising
nutrient generation, e.g. patchiness/composition
of ground cover. Links to G4.
E13 Investigate the best way to manage riparian vegetation Evaluating Ecosystem understanding Low
to ensure no net loss of biodiversity, while also
undertaking practices to improve water quality.
Decision support tools—ecosystem repair
Research, development and innovation workshop attendees agreed that development of the following
decision support tools will help users to understand and implement outcomes from research,
development and innovation projects.
# Decision support tool Priority area Theme
E14 Improve decision support tools for the delivery of water Evaluating; Integration and synthesis
quality monitoring information and evaluate uptake. Prioritising of knowledge
E15 Develop/amend decision support tool to identify Prioritising; Integration and synthesis
most effective landscapes/locations to undertake Responding of knowledge; Ecosystem
rehabilitation of inshore ecosystems. understanding
www.reefplan.qld.gov.au Research, Development and Innovation Strategy 16Marine
# Research question Priority area Theme Priority
M1 Investigate availability of more consistent temporal Evaluating Ecosystem understanding High+
and spatial data for key water quality variables and
their ecological impacts (e.g. P, particulate nutrients).
M2 Investigate the quantitative links between loads Prioritising; Ecosystem understanding; High+
from individual catchments to marine concentrations Evaluating Integration and synthesis of
of nutrients, fine sediments and pesticides. knowledge
M3 Investigate transport and transformation of nutrients, Prioritising; Ecosystem understanding High+
organic matter and pesticides in the GBR lagoon after Evaluating
flood events.
M4 Investigate the zones of river influence for GBR Prioritising; Ecosystem understanding; High+
catchments using hydrodynamic and pollution Evaluating Integration and synthesis of
distribution models, e.g. using e-Reefs. knowledge
M5 Strengthen the link between COTS outbreaks Evaluating Ecosystem understanding High+
and DIN loads from GBR catchments.
M6 Investigate responses of key GBR ecosystems to: Evaluating; Ecosystem understanding; High
• multiple flood plumes Prioritising Integration and synthesis of
• cumulative impacts of repeated exposure to poor knowledge
water quality and multiple water quality pressures
• multiple stressors, e.g. flood plumes
and climate change
• chronic low-level exposure to herbicides
and/or nutrients.
Links to M12 and M13.
M7 Investigate the regional composition and key indicators Evaluating Ecosystem understanding; High
of GBR ecosystems that represent good condition, Integration and synthesis
e.g. collate information on seagrass and corals in of knowledge
Burnett Mary and Cape York.
M8 Investigate the end of catchment load reductions Prioritising; Ecosystem understanding High
required to meet GBRMPA water quality guidelines. Evaluating
M9 Investigate if achieving GBRMPA water quality Evaluating Ecosystem understanding High
guidelines will be sufficient to restore coral health
and resilience, given hysteresis effects.
M10 Investigate the relative impact of sediment, Prioritising; Ecosystem understanding High
nutrient and pesticides delivered to the reef Evaluating
in agricultural run‑off. Links to G7.
M11 Validate remote sensing data for turbidity Evaluating Ecosystem understanding Medium
and chlorophyll.
M12 Investigate effects of commonly used and emerging Prioritsing; Ecosystem understanding Medium
pesticides on marine and coastal ecosystems, Evaluating
including various modes of action. Links to M6,
C5 and E6.
M13 Identify characteristics of seagrass meadows and Evaluating Ecosystem understanding Medium
mangroves that maintain long-term resilience under
cumulative impacts of poor water quality, disturbance
and extreme events. Links to M6.
M14 Improve spatial and temporal understanding Prioritsing; Ecosystem understanding Low
of contribution of point sources to pollutants Evaluating
in the GBR lagoon and risk to ecosystems.
M15 Investigate the prevalence and effects of other Prioritsing; Ecosystem understanding Low
pollutants on GBR ecosystems, e.g. micro-plastics, Evaluating
oil and heavy metals.
www.reefplan.qld.gov.au Research, Development and Innovation Strategy 17DPC3999
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