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An Approach to Environmental Flows for Estuaries

Author(s): Eleanor Gee

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Abstract: Estuaries, similarly to riverine systems, are impacted by flow alteration. However, the application of environmental flows science to estuaries has lagged behind riverine applications, partly due to the complexity of flow-response relationships in estuaries due to the added influence of the sea. Environmental flows for estuaries are still assessed largely on an ad hoc basis for individual systems. In order to address this, a conceptual framework is presented for determining the environmental flow requirements for estuaries. The framework includes consideration of the geomorphology of the estuary, the relative influence of sea and riverine forcing, and the valued services the estuary provides. These factors are used to decide which estuarine structures and processes to protect and, hence, which components of the flow regime to manage. The framework demystifies the process of determining the environmental flow needs of estuaries and may help identify information or data to collect or discipline experts to involve in decision making.

DOI:

Year: 2018

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