Macquarie Marshes, Australia: aquatic ecosystem function and microbial biodiversity

The Macquarie Marshes are located on the lower reaches of the Macquarie River and are the largest and one of the most ecologically significant floodplain wetland systems in south-eastern Australia. We summarized the current knowledge of the biodiversity of microorganisms in the Marshes, including bacteria, algae (planktonic and benthic), and microorganisms such as zooplankton, based on contemporary and paleobiological studies. Microbial biodiversity is affected by both altered hydrology and climate change and the associated environmental fluctuations and changes. Because of the potential interaction effects of multiple environmental variables, the impacts of altered hydrology and climate change on the microbial communities can be complex and highly variable.