Irrigation versus Ecosystems: What are the choices?

In:Journal of the Australian Water Association, August 2007

The recently compiled Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture and the 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment both foreshadow, over the next 50 years, increasing use of water for food and fibre, with resultant degradation of valuable rivers and wetlands.
These are likely to occur in Australia as well as on a global scale. This paper discusses some issues that need to be considered if we are to make better use of our wetlands for the long-term and to balance our water uses.