Improving wetland management through First Nations' knowledge and a spatial visualisation tool.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Remote Sensing
• Conservation Biology

Background:

• Wetland ecosystems face significant decline globally.
• International programs like the Ramsar Convention mandate baseline assessments and monitoring.
• Earth Observations offer powerful tools for wetland monitoring, but have spatial and temporal limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate an integrated co-management approach for wetlands.
• To incorporate First Nations' Knowledge alongside Earth Observations for improved wetland management.
• To address unique management challenges in three Australian wetland case studies.

Main Methods:

• Utilized spatial imagery visualized with the Wetlands Insight Tool (WIT) for long-term change detection (1988-2021).
• Incorporated Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) imagery.
• Integrated First Nations' Knowledge to understand baseline conditions and wetland changes.

Main Results:

• Identified long-term changes in Australian wetlands from 1988-2021 using spatial imagery.
• Documented specific threats including invasive macrophytes, water extraction, and agricultural impacts.
• Demonstrated the value of combining remote sensing data with Indigenous Knowledge.

Conclusions:

• An integrated co-management approach using Earth Observations and First Nations' Knowledge is crucial for effective wetland monitoring and management.
• This methodology supports informed decision-making regarding threats, solutions, and conservation strategies for global wetlands.
• The study provides a framework for assessing and managing wetlands facing diverse environmental pressures.