Establishing a diverse Australian network to advance the research and management of temporary stream and rivers

Diverse networks help address broad scientific questions and promote effective problem solving, reflecting the diversity of members’ perspectives and experiences. Advances in data sharing and communication are further facilitating the inclusivity, diversity and collegiality of research networks and the ability to collaboratively access and analyse data, broadening the reach and transparency of outputs. Temporary rivers and streams (TRS) are abundant and diverse ecosystems on which people and nature rely. Just as awareness of these ecosystems and their importance grows, along with the anthropogenic pressures they face, so too does the range of scientific questions about them. Fostering diverse, inclusive and interdisciplinary networks is therefore paramount for innovative and holistic science that advances TRS research and management and delivers broad socio-ecological benefit. Australia is an ideal place to progress the frontiers of TRS science, having at least 700,000 TRS spread across myriad climate zones. An emerging Australian network aims to dismantle ‘silos,’ integrate Indigenous and Western science, better understand TRS as ecosystems and water resources and advance TRS research and management globally. We discuss why and how the network was established, the challenges of doing so, and the benefits arising.