Multiproxy approach to track changes in the ecological condition of wetlands in the Gunbower Forest, a Ramsar site

Gunbower Forest is bordered by the Murray River and Creek hosts several floodplain wetlands listed under Ramsar Convention. Sediment cores were retrieved from three to trace changes their ecological state over time. The basal sediments of date back beginning river regulation in 1930s, suggesting that only after then they inundated sufficiently often allow for net sediment accumulation. diatoms preserved lower levels all suggest clear, freshwater conditions prevailed during period. Increased nutrient loads are inferred increased epiphytic forms indicators. Over recent decades have transitioned plankton dominance, reflecting greater connectivity distributary, a reduced light environment. This pattern resembles recorded both upstream downstream, regional-scale change southern Murray–Darling Basin.