A research process and criteria–indicators framework for developing indigenous freshwater ecosystem health monitoring

Abstract

Indigenous Australians’ rights, interest and priorities for water management are currently recognised only to a limited extent in Australian water management policies and decision-making processes. Research has demonstrated that water monitoring based on the values, knowledge and interests of indigenous communities has empowered them in negotiating greater involvement in water management. We hereby present a case study focused on developing water monitoring that is an expression of an Indigenous Australian community’s interests and vision for management. The monitoring system takes the form of a set of criteria and indicators for freshwater ecosystem health. From the case study, we derive a research process aimed at developing similar criteria and indicator frameworks for water monitoring applicable in other collaborative community-based water monitoring research initiatives.