The national regulator that assesses and approves agricultural and veterinary chemicals in Australia. The APVMA reviews chemicals like imidacloprid to ensure they meet environmental and health standards.

Runoff specifically from cropping or grazing lands, typically containing fertilisers, pesticides, sediment, and sometimes pathogens or animal waste.

Rapid growth of algae in water, often linked to excess nutrients. Some blooms can be toxic or lead to hypoxia when they decay.

Newer herbicides increasingly used in place of older products, often (but not always) posing lower environmental risk due to reduced runoff and/or lower toxicity.

Approaches that reduce reliance on a single chemical (like imidacloprid for cane grubs) by using integrated strategies, including crop rotation, biological control, and chemical alternatives.

Methods and techniques to apply fertiliser and pesticides to the paddock, and the timing of that application. This includes applying it the most effective way to boost crop growth and control pests, while avoiding losses off the paddock.

A natural underground layer of rock, sand, or gravel that holds and stores groundwater. Aquifers act like underground reservoirs. Water moves through aquifers via pathways forming a kind of natural plumbing system beneath the surface. The size, depth, and flow of an aquifer depend on the type of material it’s made from.

Technology that allows irrigation systems to be switched on or off remotely or automatically, improving timing and efficiency.

The slow, steady flow of water that enters streams from groundwater, especially during dry periods. Base flow can carry elevated nutrients if groundwater is contaminated.

The starting point for measurements or modelling used to compare changes over time and track improvements.

A large-scale catchment area where multiple smaller catchments drain into a major river system or body of water, such as a bay or ocean. Basins often span vast regions and are used to describe broader water management or ecological zones, like the Murray–Darling Basin.

The breakdown of coral skeletons by organisms (like sponges and worms), often worsened by poor water quality and excess nutrients.

Wetland soils that contain high levels of organic matter support microbial activity, improve soil structure, and enhance the wetland's ability to process and break down nutrients.

An area of land where all rainfall and runoff drains into a common waterway, such as a river, creek, or estuary. Catchments can include natural features like hills and wetlands, as well as farms, towns, and roads. Everything that happens on the land in a catchment can affect the quality of water flowing downstream.

Areas within a catchment that show higher-than-normal losses of nutrients, sediment, or pesticides. These areas are often targeted for management interventions.

A wider monitoring area that includes paddocks, streams, rivers, and wetlands. This is usually used to understand how pollutants move through the landscape and to calculate loads exported to the marine environment.

Positive side effects that occur alongside the main goal. In agriculture, this could mean that a change made to improve water quality also boosts soil health, crop yield, or farm profitability.

Engineered systems built to mimic the natural functions of wetlands. They are designed to capture, slow, and treat water by trapping sediments and processing and breaking down nutrients.

A farming system where machinery travels only on designated wheel tracks. This reduces soil compaction in the crop zone, helping improve water infiltration, root growth, and nutrient use efficiency. It preserves a larger area of healthy, uncompacted soil for crops.

A stress response in corals, where corals expel the tiny algae (called zooxanthellae) that live in their tissues and give them colour and energy. This causes the corals to ‘bleach’ (fluorescent or white). While bleached corals are still alive, they are weakened and more vulnerable to disease, starvation, and death if stressful conditions continue. Coral bleaching is most often triggered by heat but can occur due to other stressors such as low salinity, cold temperatures and poor water quality.

When excess water moves below the plant root zone into deeper soil layers often due to excess irrigation or heavy rainfall. This water can carry nutrients and pesticides to underground water systems, raise groundwater levels and contribute to nutrient loss from the farm.

A natural process where certain bacteria convert nitrate (a form of nitrogen) into dinitrogen gas (or N2), which is released into the atmosphere (our atmosphere contains 78% of N gas). This process reduces the amount of nitrogen in water. On the paddock, denitrification is not beneficial — it means nitrogen is lost before crops can use it. But off the paddock, such as in drains or wetlands, it can help protect waterways by removing excess nitrogen before it reaches rivers or the reef.

natural microbial process that occurs in wetland soils and water where nitrate (a form of nitrogen) is converted into nitrogen gas, removing excess nitrogen from the system.

DIN is the main form of nitrogen lost from farms. It is the grouping of three key nitrogen forms: ammonium, nitrate and nitrite. In farming, these forms represent key phases of how nitrogen-based fertilisers break down on the farm and is used to measure paddock losses in water quality monitoring programs. It is not naturally found in large amounts in coastal environments. These forms of nitrogen are held in water, it moves easily through soil (leaching) or across the land surface (runoff).

Events or conditions that disrupt the function of an ecosystem. In reef and catchment environments, these include floods, cyclones, heatwaves, coral bleaching, and water quality. Some disturbances are natural, while others are driven or enhanced by human activity. With climate change, disturbances are becoming more frequent and intense, reducing the time ecosystems have to recover and weakening their overall resilience.

Human-made systems such as drains that move water off paddocks quickly to make land suitable for farming. Some well-designed drainage systems can reduce runoff while others can increase runoff.

The ability of an ecosystem (like coral reefs, seagrass meadows, or wetlands) to recover from disturbances such as floods, heatwaves, or pollution. Good water quality helps maintain and build resilience by reducing stress on plants and animals and foster recovery.

How well a chemical (like a pesticide or fertiliser) works as intended to boost crop health or control pests.

Technology that maps changes in soil properties across a paddock, such as salinity, clay content, moisture content or compaction. It helps growers manage variability and apply inputs more precisely.

The zone at the coastline where freshwater meets the marine environment; monitored for compliance with water quality targets.

Refers to areas where freshwater from rivers and creeks mixes with saltwater from the sea, creating brackish water. These environments include mangrove forests, tidal creeks, and coastal wetlands. They are often breeding and nursery grounds for many marine species, supporting popular fish like barramundi, mangrove jack, bream, and mullet.

The process of sharing knowledge, tools, and support to landholders to improve on-ground practices. This often involves working with growers to translate scientific findings into practical advice, such as managing irrigation, fertiliser and pesticide applications, improving soil health, or adopting new technologies. Effective extension builds trust, supports informed decision-making, and improves water quality outcomes and farm productivity. Extension can be delivered by extension officers, scientists, agronomists, natural resource managers, and policymakers.

Agricultural professionals who work frequently and directly with growers to help implement improved practices, interpret research, and provide technical advice. They live in the community, often have a strong background in farming, and are recognised as important ‘trust chains’ in communicating water quality science.

Bare fallow and cover crop. A rest period between main crops, where either nothing is grown (bare fallow) or a low-input legume crop (like a cover crop such as soyabeans) is planted to improve soil health. It's often used to build soil nutrients or manage pests.

Any substance added to soil or plants to improve growth by supplying essential nutrients, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Fertilisers can be synthetic (chemically manufactured) or natural (derived from organic sources like compost, manure, or plant material).

The first big rainfall event after a dry period that causes waterways to flow, often washing high concentrations of fertilisers and pesticides into waterways.

Flat, low-lying areas that hold water during and after heavy rain and runoff events. Historically, these areas slowed and held water, allowing nutrients to be processed and sediments to settle before reaching rivers or the sea.

Ecosystems near the coast that contain low levels of salt, including rivers, creeks, lakes, wetlands, and groundwater. They often connect to marine environments, either directly through river flow or indirectly through groundwater discharge, carrying water and nutrients from the land to the sea.

A common irrigation method where water flows down shallow channels between crop rows/beds, which can cause high runoff if not managed carefully.

Water that fills the spaces between soil particles and rock underground. It can move slowly through the soil or rock layers and can be a major source of water for streams, wetlands, bores, and irrigation particularly during the dry season.

Water that moves below the soil surface, often carrying dissolved nutrients like nitrate. This water can eventually seep into creeks, wetlands, or marine systems.

The upper level of groundwater in the soil. When this rises too high, it can lead to soil waterlogging, reduced crop yields, and altered water flows into creeks and wetlands.

The ends of paddocks where machinery turns around, often compacted and prone to runoff.

Pesticides designed to kill or suppress weeds. For example, diuron is used in cane farming but can affect seagrass and aquatic plants if it runs off the paddock.

Devices placed in waterways to measure water quality components like nitrate or turbidity automatically, often every 15 minutes, giving real-time data.

The period (usually within 4 weeks after fertilisers or pesticides are applied) when products are most likely to wash off the paddock. Managing this window is key to reduce product losses.

Locations in the landscape where water quality losses (like fertilisers or sediment) are particularly elevated above normal levels and may need targeted action.

A general term for changes to the natural water movement in an area. In agriculture, this can be caused by rising water tables or altered stream flows due to deep drainage and land clearing or dam or weir construction.

The amount, sources and movement of water through a wetland. Hydrology influences how long water stays in the wetland and how well it can trap sediments and process and break down nutrients.

Low oxygen levels in water, which can kill fish and other aquatic life. Often caused by decaying plant material or algae blooms fed by nutrient runoff.

A coordinated effort across an agricultural sector to maintain the use of key products by improving stewardship and reducing environmental risks, helping ensure long-term access to these products.

A type of pesticide used to kill insects. For example, in sugarcane, imidacloprid is commonly used to control cane grubs but it can also harm aquatic invertebrates if it reaches waterways.

Coral reefs found close to the coastline, usually in shallow, sheltered waters such as bays, lagoons, and attached to islands. These reefs often experience greater variation in temperature, salinity, and runoff compared to offshore mid-shelf and outer reefs.

The application of water to crops through furrow, overhead or trickle methods. In sugarcane regions, irrigation is essential where rainfall is unreliable such as the Burdekin.

Water that flows off the surface of a paddock during or after irrigation, which carries fertilisers, pesticides, and sediments into drains, creeks, or wetlands.

Tools or apps used to decide the best time and amount/rate of water to apply, based on weather, soil type, and crop needs. These tools help optimise water use and reduce unnecessary irrigation.

When water moves down through the soil and takes nutrients (especially nitrogen) and pesticides with it into the groundwater.

The excessive growth of seaweed-like algae on coral reefs, often fuelled by high nutrient levels from agricultural runoff. It competes with coral for space and light, reducing coral health and new coral growth.

Water quality monitoring conducted further downstream in estuaries and inshore marine environments. The purpose is to measure how much sediment, nutrients, and pesticides are leaving the catchment and entering the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. Scientists measure how freshwater and marine waters mix, and where sediments, pesticides and nutrients are transported and how they may negatively impact water quality. This includes loggers that records continuous data of turbidity and chlorophyll.

A widespread stress response in corals (i.e. over several coral reefs)  that occurs when ocean temperatures become too warm for extended periods. Mass bleaching events can affect large areas of reef and are often linked to marine heatwaves and climate change. These events are becoming more frequent and have occurred on the Great Barrier Reef in 1998, 2002, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2024 and 2025. This is the most significant threat to the Great Barrier Reef, giving corals less time to recover between events.

Coral reefs located 20 to 100 kilometres offshore from the coastline within the Great Barrier Reef catchment. These reefs sit in deeper, clearer waters and are often more biodiverse than inshore reefs. They are less directly impacted by coastal activities such as fishing, agriculture, urban runoff, and flood plumes. While generally protected from land-based pressures, extreme flood events can carry river plumes far offshore, occasionally reaching these reef systems. Less is known about this impact from floods.

A technique where irrigation is stopped partway through the run to prevent excess water from reaching the tail end of the paddock. This reduces runoff and deep drainage losses.

The process of checking whether predictions from computer models match what is actually measured on the ground or in water. It helps ensure confidence in tools used for planning or decision-making.

Using computer-based tools to predict how water, nutrients, sediment or pesticides will move off farms and into waterways under different scenarios.

Natural wetlands that have been changed through land use, drainage, or infrastructure but still retain some ecological or water treatment functions.

Devices inserted into the soil to track how much water is available to crops. They help guide irrigation decisions.

Growing only one crop (like sugarcane) repeatedly on the same land, which can reduce soil health by depleting nutrients and biological diversity in the soil.

Growing more than one species at the same time, usually in a mix (like cover crops). This improves soil structure, boosts organic matter and adds nutrients to the soil, prevents erosion, and reduces nutrient leaching.

This is often the main component of DIN and often reveals losses of nitrogen-based fertilisers from farms.  Through water quality monitoring programs, nitrate is the most elevated component found in waterways close to agriculture land. Because it is held in water, it can easily move through soil and be lost via leaching into groundwater or runoff into creeks and rivers.

A type of high-frequency sensor that tracks how much nitrate (a form of nitrogen) is in the water. Nitrate levels can change quickly, especially after rainfall or fertiliser application, so these sensors help catch spikes in runoff.

Sudden increases in nitrogen levels in water, often after fertiliser is applied and heavy rain occurs.

The use of organic materials like mill mud to improve soil health by adding nutrients and organic matter. These inputs reduce the need for synthetic fertilisers and need to be properly accounted for in nutrient budgets. Over-application without adjustment can affect crop production and lead to excess nutrient losses and runoff.

A planning tool used to inform how much nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients are already available in the soil (including from organic inputs like mill mud or legumes) and how much more is needed for crop growth. It helps avoid over-application of fertilisers, reduces input costs, and minimises nutrient losses to the environment.

A build-up of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus in water, which can lead to excessive algae, poor water quality, and harm to aquatic life.

Applying the right amount of fertiliser or nutrients (like mill mud) at the right time and in the right place to meet crop needs while minimising nutrient losses to the environment.

Essential for the health and growth of crops. They can be applied as synthetic fertiliser or other forms, like mill mud. Overuse can promote excessive leaf growth and reduce sugar development and can harm soil health over time. It also increases the risk of nutrient loss through runoff and leaching, which can impact surrounding ecosystems.

When pesticides or fertiliser move beyond the paddock through runoff, leaching, or spray drift into surrounding drains, creeks, and ecosystems. These losses are a key focus of water quality monitoring and management.

Fertiliser derived from natural sources such as compost, manure, plant residues, fallow legume crops or by-products like mill mud. These improve soil health and structure, but often release nutrients more slowly than synthetic options.

Water that flows directly off a farm paddock, especially after intense rain or irrigation. It often carries fertilisers, pesticides, sediment, and organic matter into nearby drains or creeks.

Measuring water quantity and/or quality (like fertiliser or pesticide losses) directly from a farm or paddock often to compare new and traditional management practices.

Chemicals used to control insects, weeds, fungicides or diseases on crops.

A key nutrient for crop growth. Unlike nitrate, phosphorus tends to bind to soil particles, so it usually enters waterways when soil is eroded or carried off in runoff, rather than leaching.

This is similar to paddock monitoring, at a much smaller scale. It is often used in research under controlled conditions to test specific variables like fertiliser placement or product choice or pesticide application and mobility.

Modern, innovative, or science-based farming methods aimed at reducing environmental impacts, improving productivity, or enhancing sustainability. Examples include controlled traffic farming, sub-surface fertiliser placement, or rotational cropping.

Sugarcane that regrows from the stubble left after harvesting. In general, growers will have three to four ratoon crops before a fallow and then the plant cane crop.

Information measured from sensors that’s immediately available through apps or websites. This allows scientists, growers, and advisors to quickly respond to water quality changes.

Streams, drains, rivers, or wetlands that collect water from paddocks. These are the first areas impacted if pesticides or fertilisers move off the farm.

On-farm storage areas that capture small volumes of irrigation runoff that can be reused on the paddock. This helps to reduce water loss and prevent pollutants from reaching waterways but must be carefully managed to prevent overflow into natural waterways during large events.

A type of pesticide that remains active in the soil for a period of time to control weed germination. These products often need light rain or irrigation to be absorbed into the soil after application but are vulnerable to runoff if heavy rain occurs within a month after application.

Vegetated areas along waterways that protect water quality by stabilising banks, providing shade and food, and creating habitat for wildlife.

Vegetated areas along waterways that help slow, capture and process nutrient and sediment particle runoff, stabilise banks, and support wildlife.

A condition where deep drainage or excess irrigation causes the groundwater table to rise, sometimes reaching the surface or seeping into nearby streams. Elevated groundwater can seep into nearby creeks, raise nutrient levels, or cause waterlogging in low-lying paddocks. In some areas, rising groundwater brings salts closer to the root zone, leading to soil salinity, which can greatly reduce crop growth and yield.

Large exports of freshwater that extends into the marine environment after heavy and prolonged rain. Plumes can extend along the coast and over inshore reefs and seagrass meadows. These plumes often contain elevated levels of sediment and, nutrients.

Switching crops (e.g. including legumes) between seasons to replenish soil nutrients, break pest and disease cycles, and reduce fertiliser needs.

Water that flows over the land surface (instead of soaking in) into nearby drains, creeks, and rivers. In agriculture, this often refers to when pesticides and fertiliser runs off paddocks into nearby waterways.

Tiny soil particles that are dislodged and carried by water during heavy rain, irrigation, or drainage. Sediment can cloud waterways and often carries attached nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen as well as pesticide residues.

A system of multiple sensors placed across a region to track water quality patterns at different locations within a catchment.

Using a network of high-frequency sensors placed across creeks, drains, and paddocks to track water quality trends. This method provides continuous, accurate data to help identify runoff issues and nutrient 'hotspots' in near real time.

When heavy machinery compresses soil in paddocks. Soil compaction reduces water soaking into the crop and instead increases water movement off the soil. This restricts root growth, reduces water infiltration, limits oxygen, and increases the risk of surface runoff and nutrient loss.

Materials (like lime, gypsum, compost, or mill mud) added to improve the physical or chemical properties of soil, often used to help manage pH, improve structure, or boost organic matter.