DataSheet1_Time capsules of biodiversity: Future research directions for groundwater-dependent ecosystems of the Great Artesian Basin.docx

The Great Artesian Basin of Australia represents one of the largest and deepest basins of freshwater on Earth. Thousands of springs fed by the Basin are scattered across Australia’s arid zone, often representing the sole sources of freshwater for thousands of kilometers. As “islands” in the desert, the springs support endemic fauna and flora that have undergone millions of years of evolution in almost total isolation. Here, we review the current body of knowledge surrounding Great Artesian Basin springs and their significance from ecological, evolutionary, and cultural perspectives using South Australian spring wetlands as a case study. We begin by identifying the status of these springs as critical sources of groundwater, the unique biodiversity they support, and their cultural significance to the Arabana people as Traditional Custodians of the land. We then summarize known threats to the springs and their biota, both exogenous and endogenous, and the potential impacts of such processes. Finally, considering the status of these at-risk habitats as time capsules of biodiversity, we discuss lessons that can be learnt from current conservation and management practices in South Australia. We propose key recommendations for improved biodiversity assessment and monitoring of Great Artesian Basin springs nationwide, including 1) enhanced legal protections for spring biota; 2) increased taxonomic funding and capacity; 3) improved biodiversity monitoring methods, and 4) opportunities for reciprocal knowledge-sharing with Aboriginal peoples when conducting biodiversity research.

澳大利亚大自流井盆地，作为地球上最大且最深的淡水盆地之一，其数千个由该盆地滋养的温泉散布在澳大利亚干旱地区，通常代表着数千公里范围内唯一的淡水来源。如同沙漠中的‘岛屿’，这些温泉支持着经过数百万年几乎完全隔离演化的特有动植物群。本文从生态、进化和文化视角，以南澳大利亚的温泉湿地为案例研究，回顾了围绕大自流井盆地温泉的知识体系及其重要性。我们首先确定了这些温泉作为地下水关键来源的地位，它们所支持的独特生物多样性，以及对于阿拉伯纳人——这片土地的传统守护者——的文化意义。随后，我们总结了针对温泉及其生物群的外源和内源威胁，以及这些过程可能带来的影响。最后，考虑到这些处于风险中的栖息地作为生物多样性的‘时间胶囊’，我们讨论了从南澳大利亚当前的保护区管理和实践中学到的经验教训。我们提出了针对全国大自流井盆地温泉生物多样性评估和监测的改进建议，包括：1）增强对温泉生物的法律保护；2）增加分类学研究资金和能力；3）改进生物多样性监测方法；4）在开展生物多样性研究时，与土著人民进行知识交流的机会。