The experiment to be conducted over a period of 10 years is designed to detect ecological responses as riparian vegetation and creek banks change from a degraded condition towards a healthy condition.

The most recent focus was at Holbrook on sites along the Billabong Creek at Andy and Anna Watson’s property Forestvale and small sections of properties owned by Doug Ross at Aberfeldy and Jim Ross at Noonbah.

“As the experiment so far has been carried out during a drought, we are gaining very interesting data on the impacts of drought on riparian and stream systems,” Professor Sam Lake said.

The research will be of particular value to the local Catchment Management Authorities. “It will quantify the effectiveness of creek restoration works carried out by the Murray Catchment Management Authority, Implementation officer Mark Harris said.

“The study will help the Murray CMA be in the forefront of best practices for the restoration and future management of riparian zones and creeks.”

Sites selected in the Upper Billabong Catchment have perennial streams 1-2 metres deep when flowing, with no river engineering or flow controls. Researchers will be measuring nutrients, ground cover, tree density and growth, canopy cover, bird density and composition on the ground and in the streams - water quality, organic matter levels, aquatic plants, log loadings and fish and yabby densities, before and after revegetation.